Chapter 3: Fire and Water (Part 1 of 2) Transcript
OPENING
[Music: "Main Title” (triumphant orchestral music) starts.]
NARRATOR The Call of the Flame: An Audio Play. Chapter Three: Fire and Water. Part One of Two.
[Music: "Main Title” ends.]
SCENE ONE: KING MASUN
[Music: "Rhuadu” (mystical choral music) starts.]
NARRATOR (Voiceover) In the stone keep of Wynhold, before a mighty hearth, the council gathers to talk of matters of importance to King Masun. A name that carries no trace of the weight of his father, King Ardrun's name. For his legendary father's shadow is cast high, and all fear he will tower over the future of his bloodline to the end, as they spiral into mediocrity.
[SFX: Pouring of wine, council chatter.]
NARRATOR (Voiceover) Though his long table is filled with bounties of ripe fruit, red meat, and full glasses of wine, there is no taste present to sweeten the topics of late.
WYNHOLD CAPTAIN We better hope the Gungror and Wulflang tribes remain at odds come Winter and don't think on retribution.
VILLADIUS Many Magnir like me still fight, many still carry Rhuadu's torch. If it comes to blows with the Orcs, we shall rally brave men under the red banner, and meet the enemy with burning swords. As we have always done.
[SFX: Drink sipping.]
MASUN Thank you, Lord Villadius. Lord Rybald, you do look anxious to speak.
[Music: "Rhuadu” ends.]
RYBALD Agreed. Your Highness, the sickness that has affected the countryside has not slowed. In fact, it has increased. Many villages have resorted to Incanters to cure it, but they too have failed. They are calling it the Grave Pestilence. It’s the Night’s Plague all ov—
VILLADIUS The Night's Plague was made by Incanters. This one is believed to be natural.
MASUN Can it be cured?
RYBALD We have tried. Our alchemists were unsuccessful.
[Music: "The Master Sorseer” (dark, mystical music) starts.]
[SFX: Staff clanking on floor.]
ULTOVÍN If I may.
[SFX: Wooden chair scrape.]
VILLADIUS Ultovín.
MASUN All of you, this is Master Sorseer Ultovín. He has been sent here by the good will of the Elvan Queen Neradial.
ULTOVÍN My King, I am sorry I am late. I came in time to overhear this talk of pestilence. I have been around the world; I have advised many Kings. When disease and death threatened their lands, they turned to me, always too late, for answers. And I gave them a solution. Give me your prisoners, thieves, criminals, those meant to be executed, and allow me to bargain with a higher power for the health and life of their people. Rhuadu gave his power as he saw fit, The Deep God always grants his, for a price. If you grant me your—
MASUN Thank you, Master Ultovín. I am relieved to hear that you’re willing to lend us your ‘talents’ as a servant of the Deep God.
[SFX: Wooden chair scrape.]
MASUN But from the moment I could speak to this day, I prayed to the Chieftain of Gods. As does every soul in the Wynland Kingdom, as did my father, King Ardrun, as will my son, Prince Arun. Though the Chieftain of Gods has fallen silent, the Deep God will never take his place in worship.
[Music: "Rhuadu” starts.]
VILLADIUS My King, do you grant me a moment to speak to Master Ultovín outside the chamber?
MASUN You may.
[SFX: Heavy wooden door creaking open and closed.]
ULTOVÍN It is good to see you again—
VILLADIUS What are you doing, Ultovín?
[SFX: Staff clanking on floor.]
ULTOVÍN Exactly what Neradial sent me to do. What the Magnir failed to do. To make the world whole.
[Music: "Rhuadu” ends.]
SCENE TWO: CHESS
[SFX: Wooden ship creaking, waves crashing.]
CALAN (Vomiting)
JENQUO Easy does it, boy. You'll get used to it. The sea was made for Humans, Elvans, and Orcans, not for the Dwarves, and yet here I stand!
IRIKLAS Don't ask him about his swimming.
[SFX: Light wooden clacking sounds.]
IRIKLAS One, two, three. Your move, Bri.
BRI Okay…knights can move three pieces one way, and another at an angle?
IRIKLAS Yes, pawns go one forward, rook goes in a straight line, Magnirs go diagonal.
BRI Then I'm moving my Magnir…
[SFX: Wooden chess pieces clack on the board.]
BRI To take your pawn!
IRIKLAS Wow. Way to expose your King. I'm just going to take my Queen—who can move in any direction—
[SFX: Chess pieces smacking.]
IRIKLAS A-a-and…checkmate.
BRI What? Oh, to hells with this bloody game!
[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]
TARÚK You need to deliberate your moves, girl. Not send every piece one by one until you have nothing left.
BRI Without the Magnir the pieces were defenceless, just like Gathland without Rhuadu. Without real Magnir. But that’s what we’re doing, isn’t it? Helping the Magnir so that they can protect us all. Fixing father’s mistake.
[SFX: More footsteps.]
JENQUO We are about to make port in Ride's End.
CALAN That's still in the Wynland Kingdom. We're wanted people. We should be more careful—
IRIKLAS Then we will blend right in. We won't be long.
[Music: "The Phoenix” (wild flute music) begins]
SCENE THREE: RIDE’S END
[SFX: Liquid splashing, woman grunting, crowd chatter, slapping noises, goat braying, laughter, ropes creaking.]
NARRATOR (Voiceover) On a shore south of the Wynland Kingdom, before the sea shared with its neighbours, lies a famous—or rather, infamous—harbour. A run-down place where a great deal of business is conducted over the table, and below it, in shops of drink and… (Clearing throat) …Other forms of relief.
[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]
BRI Have you ever actually been here?
[SFX: Ropes scraping, waves crashing, ship creaking.]
IRIKLAS There are many harbours like this one. Aradjar, Huanhai—
CALAN But have you ever made port here?
IRIKLAS Well, not exactly. You've been to one pirate-friendly port, you've been to them all. I just need to find the man in charge.
JENQUO Or woman.
IRIKLAS Or woman. Come on, dwarf. You, too, boy.
[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]
CALAN It's Calan.
IRIKLAS You're a soft boy. Perhaps some exposure to a place like this will harden you some!
JENQUO Make you a man.
IRIKLAS (Laughs) Perhaps not that. We'll come back here another day for that.
[SFX: Distant laughter.]
CALAN I'm ready to go. Come on then, show me something new.
[SFX: More footsteps.]
JENQUO Whoa, whoa, whoa—where do you think you're going, girl?
BRI With you? Where else?
IRIKLAS Oh, we don't want that. Stay with the Orc on the boat.
[SFX: Distant punch impact.]
BRI Wait, why not? I'd like to see this place.
JENQUO Your only concern, child, is getting where you need to go. Without you, there is no voyage.
IRIKLAS Not to mention payment for your safe transport. Remember that game we were playing? Well, think of yourself as the King, and me as the Magnir, Jenquo your rook, and the boy as, er…your Knight!
BRI (Grumbles)
JENQUO Fear not. The Queen can look after you, so don't worry your pretty head.
BRI Your hair is longer than mine!
JENQUO But it is not pretty.
TARÚK Hmm. They are correct. We will have to take care of that.
BRI What do you mean we'll take care of that?
[SFX: Blade drawn.]
TARÚK If you can conjure fire from your fingers, we need to cut your hair shorter.
BRI Oh, is that why so many Magnir are bald, or close to it?
TARÚK You'll also need to stop playing with it while you talk…lest you want to set your head on fire.
BRI Oh. Sorry.
SCENE FOUR: ACT NATURAL
[SFX: Punching and grunting, rowdy crowd laughter and chatter, footsteps on dirt and gravel.]
CALAN This is…definitely a lot different from Wynhold.
[SFX: Women laughing, coins clinking.]
CALAN These men are huge, and the girls—
JENQUO Don't talk to the girls, trust us on this one.
IRIKLAS Or the men, trust me on that one.
JENQUO Just act natural.
IRIKLAS Yes, but don't listen to any tempting offers, or ask about the items on display, no eye contact.
JENQUO And watch your pockets. Don't let anyone brush you, children especially.
[SFX: Goat braying, wagon wheels creaking, tankards clinking, drink sipping, ale sloshing.]
IRIKLAS Yes, oh, and stay near. If you look nervous like a newcomer, they will lure you away and kidnap you.
JENQUO But act natural!
IRIKLAS Yes! Not like you're doing now, do less of that.
CALAN …Less what?
IRIKLAS That, with your face. Don't do that anymore, understand?
CALAN I'm trying.
[SFX: More laughter.]
IRIKLAS Jenquo, grab us one of those. Do you see that fine establishment with the ladies and intimidating men? I wager that is where we would find the leader of this operation. I will meet you at the boat.
[SFX: Long cry and cheering, distant hammering, rope creaking, water sloshing.]
JENQUO Be careful.
IRIKLAS I'm always careful, that's why I'm doing this.
JENQUO Come on, lad. After this, we get food.
[SFX: Footsteps crunching on gravel, fading out.]
[Music: "The Phoenix” ends.]
SCENE FIVE: CHOP, CHOP
[Music: "The Phoenix” stars.]
[SFX: Waves crashing, wooden ship creaking, light sawing noise.]
TARÚK Done.
BRI Okay, how do I look?
TARÚK Like someone safe from setting their own hair on fire. Hair can be used in incanting magic. You should throw it all overboard.
BRI I can’t even do Magnir magic. No matter how hard I try, I—
[SFX: Finger snapping, light smack.]
BRI OW! What?
TARÚK DON’T practice here, we’re on a wooden boat!
[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]
BRI Then what am I to do, Tarúk? I’m changing! I feel like I’m growing in a cage too small for me. What will happen when we arrive in Bellar? What if I fail because I can’t summon fire?
TARÚK I know little of magic, girl, but it is not a thing to be forced.
BRI (Sigh)
TARÚK When orcs sacrifice to the Deep God, we call. When magic happens is when the Gods answer. This dead fire God, I know not how he works. How did you do it last time?
BRI I was afraid for my life when my hand burnt that letter; I was still afraid when it spread.
TARÚK You've been afraid other times and it never happened. And what else?
BRI I also felt—
[SFX: Footsteps on wood, paper rustling.]
JENQUO We're back.
CALAN We've brought more food, and a map.
BRI Oh, thank you, I'm starving.
CALAN Take it. Here.
BRI How was the market?
CALAN It was amazing. So many different peoples. Such strange goods. It's a shame we're leaving so soon.
BRI Uh-huh. Well, I'm glad at least one of us saw it.
[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]
TARÚK Where is the Elvan?
JENQUO Oh, he said he'd meet us here.
BRI You were both gone for a while.
CALAN Here he comes now.
TARÚK And what sort of business were you conducting?
IRIKLAS The kind that makes our voyage a safe one.
TARÚK I have never seen voyages safened with business.
[SFX: Sail unfurling, wood clanking, ropes creaking.]
IRIKLAS Then when we get to Bellar with dry hair, and no wounds, you may trade me a bottle of wine for my secret.
BRI Ah, give me the basket, Calan, I'll take it below.
[SFX: Wicker basket rustling, more footsteps.]
JENQUO (Whispering) You should have complimented her hair.
CALAN Oh. OH, is that what was different!?
JENQUO Yes! And you should have said something nice. The moment has passed. I weep for you, boy, I truly do.
[Music: "The Phoenix” ends.]
SCENE SIX: SAFE PASSAGE
[SFX: Waves crashing, ship creaking.]
BRI (Under her breath) Fire…burning…
[SFX: Finger snapping.]
TARÚK (Stern) Bri.
BRI Yes?
TARÚK You're not trying to summon fire over deck with your hands hidden, are you?
BRI (Innocent) No.
IRIKLAS You will be able to practice. Soon.
TARÚK This is not unlike an Orc ship. A square sail, narrow body. You should employ shields to protect the hull from damage from land.
JENQUO Like…battle shields?
TARÚK Yes, tied up in a row. We must stay clear of the open sea and stay close to land. The Deep God's source of strength is the ocean. His servants are our enemy.
CALAN You know, my mother always told me Orc ships are built to stay close to land, so they can spot villages to raid—
TARÚK We spoke once of my allegiance, boy; I have none with the Orcs.
IRIKLAS You must have for a long time, though, if you know how to use a longship. Though I doubt your tribe did it for fishing, or trading…
[SFX: Stomping on wood.]
TARÚK Any more questions, and you will see that I am an excellent swimmer as well, as I abandon you.
JENQUO I actually would like to see that.
[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]
BRI Is there, um…is there any way I can help?
IRIKLAS With, uh…what?
BRI Tarúk knows these sails. Jenquo has the strength for the oars. Iriklas knows his navigation. Calan, every night, you train with Tarúk with a sword. I can't…practice with my abilities here. I want to help somehow.
JENQUO (Chuckling) Your time will come, Bri, but until then you must be patient.
BRI I'm not impatient.
TARÚK That sounds like something an impatient person would say.
BRI I worked in a tavern, Orc. I'm not used to doing nothing all the time.
JENQUO Then find something to occupy your mind, like counting all the rocks you see on shore, or the ships behind us in—a pursuit-like fashion. OH!
[Music: "It isn’t Safe” (tense music) starts.]
BRI Look!
[SFX: Hurried footsteps.]
BRI I just saw them. Two ships.
[SFX: Distant crew shouting.]
IRIKLAS Why are you all looking at me?
TARÚK (Growling) Elvan man, tell us why there are two massive boats gaining on us?
IRIKLAS It must be a coincidence, another boat passing on by!
TARÚK It's gaining on us. They are fast rowers, I can see.
[SFX: Water rushing, distant oars rowing.]
JENQUO Iriklas, what did you do!?
IRIKLAS What do you mean what did I do!? Why does this have to be me?
BRI What was that you were saying about safe passage and all that?
IRIKLAS I GAVE him two pieces of gold in return for safe PASSAGE!
TARÚK Safe passage?
IRIKLAS Yes, protection? Like the toll of passage? Like the Pirate Code of the Eastern Elvai Islands…? You people don't HAVE that?
TARÚK (Grunts)
JENQUO The sea is lawless? Who would have seen this coming!?
[Music: "It isn’t Safe” ends.]
[Music: "Tarúk and The Bandits” (orchestral action music) starts.]
TARÚK I think you succeeded only in letting these corsairs know we have gold to spare!
BRI But wait, their boat is bigger than ours, how is it faster?
IRIKLAS Bigger sail, longer hull! Orc! The oars!
TARÚK They will be upon us soon. Take up arms!
IRIKLAS Never mind him! Jenquo, the oars!
[SFX: Wooden oars clattering.]
CALAN Wait, you can't just shoot an arrow all the way from—!
[SFX: Arrow whooshes and lands.]
CALAN …Okay, then. I guess you can.
[SFX: Water rushing, oars rowing.]
BRI There must be some way…yes, yes! On the map!
[SFX: Another arrow landing, distant cry.]
IRIKLAS What!?
TARÚK Bri! Get below! Now!
BRI There's a river to our left! Just around the cliff! Those three rocks on the map, do they look like the ones to our right there?
IRIKLAS I—! (Grunting with effort) Well, yes. They do! And we just came from Ride End north-east. What are you playing at?
TARÚK We are unarmoured and there are too many rocks! We can get ourselves trapped, and there are dangers unique to where the water and land meet!
[SFX: Arrow after arrow whoosh and thud, battle cries.]
JENQUO Then we fight!
TARÚK Get DOWN!
BRI AH!
[SFX: Paper ripping.]
BRI Oh, GODS! The map!
TARÚK Keep your head down!
JENQUO (Panting)
IRIKLAS No, no, no, the girl is right! Turn this boat left so that we slip right in between the rocks! Their boat is too big to follow!
[SFX: Distant death cry.]
IRIKLAS (Yelling) Almost there!
[SFX: Water rushing.]
JENQUO (Yelling) The water current is pulling us in!
[SFX: Wood splintering and creaking, water roaring.]
TARÚK The rocks! Hold on!
[SFX: Huge crash, slamming and clattering.]
CALAN (Groan)
BRI (Groan)
[Music: "Tarúk and The Bandits" ends.]
CALAN Are you okay!?
BRI Yes, yes. PLEASE let go of me now.
[SFX: Water spraying, wind rushing, sails flapping.]
CALAN (Panting) We took a lot of damage.
TARÚK We must keep rowing. They may know this river and try to catch us on foot.
JENQUO Then we must make it to the other end.
[SFX: Water rushing fades.]
SCENE SEVEN: SIREN CALL
[SFX: Gentle waves, ship creaking, crickets singing.]
NARRATOR (Voiceover) The relentless mouth of the river gives way to calmer waters for the voyagers, silent, until the chorus of crickets ushers in the veil of night.
[SFX: Steady rowing.]
TARÚK You should put out the lantern, boy. I can see well in the dark.
IRIKLAS No, you've been rowing for hours, man. Take rest.
TARÚK I am fine.
CALAN Come on, Tarúk, you need your energy. If those raiders were going to attack us by land, they would have already.
BRI If I've been paying attention, this river curves west. In the direction we need to go to.
IRIKLAS It can take us a little further. But your Magnir friend better pay, this boat is falling apart.
TARÚK Hmm…
[SFX: Wooden oars clattering.]
TARÚK Calan, take the oars. Get some rest, all of you.
[SFX: Beat.]
[SFX: More rowing, ropes creaking, snoring.]
[SFX: Mysterious humming.]
CALAN What is that?
[Music: "Siren Strings” (mysterious lullaby) begins]
NIX#1 (Singing)
“Come now,” called the sea
To swear your fealty
But she rocks you, roving and sore
Though her salty kisses sting
Still yet for her you sing
But why forgive all her treachery?
Steer far from her sway
Break away, break away
And you’ll find me, waiting off the shore
There in my arms you’ll sleep
Give me your heart to keep
With me you will never go astray
[SFX: Water lapping, footsteps on wood, oars clatter.]
[SFX: Blade drawn.]
CALAN Tarúk, Bri—
NIX#1 (Singing)
Great soldier to be
So fresh and still so green
Yet to honour the blood of his line
CALAN What!?
NIX#1 (Singing)
Show your love and show your might
The reason that you fight
And join the ranks of your family tree
[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]
[Music: "Siren Strings” ends.]
NIX#1 (Hisses)
CALAN AAH!
[SFX: Punching impact, sword clattering to floor.]
NIX#1 (Hisses)
[SFX: Huge splash in water.]
[SFX: More splashing, swimming away.]
[SFX: Beat, ship creaking, distant crickets.]
JENQUO Boy?
[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]
JENQUO What is this!? Boy!?
IRIKLAS (Sleepily) Jenquo, what is it?
BRI (Sleepily) What's happening?
JENQUO The boy has been taken overboard! I must save him!
IRIKLAS You idiot! You'll die!
[SFX: Swishing and twirling of spear.]
JENQUO Dying is the last thing I'll do! (Laughs triumphantly)
[SFX: Hugh splash in water.]
IRIKLAS Jenquo!
[Music: "Siren Strings” starts.]
CLOSING CREDITS
[Music: "Siren Strings” 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. “The Nixie Song” was written by Adam Halpin. Lyrics by Nadi Reed Perez. Performed by Evee H. 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 Rubbish Log Production. I am your narrator, George Hoctor. We thank you all for listening.
[Music: "End Credits” ends.]