Chapter 3: Fire and Water (Part 2 of 2) Transcript
OPENING
NARRATOR The Call of the Flame: An Audio Play. Chapter Three: Fire and Water. Part Two of Two.
SCENE ONE: NIXIES
[SFX: Crickets, calm waves, ropes creaking, footsteps on wood.]
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!
[SFX: More footsteps on wood.]
IRIKLAS Curse that stunted little man!
BRI Calan was taken!? And the Dwarf's going to save him by himself!?
TARÚK Did any of you see them?
IRIKLAS No, I don't know what took him! All I heard was…a song.
BRI Aye, I heard it, too.
TARÚK Nixies.
[Music: "Siren Strings" (mysterious lullaby) starts.]
IRIKLAS Nixies…? Oh, you mean Nymphs?
TARÚK Yes. Their voices enchant men. We must hurry! They dwell in cold places. There must be a cave.
[SFX: Footsteps.]
TARÚK Stay here, I can catch up to him—
[Music: "Siren Strings" ends.]
IRIKLAS Ha, you don't mean to take them yourself!
TARÚK I've had enough of your plans, Elvan! How will you resist their cursed song?
IRIKLAS Sea Nymphs don't charm this one.
BRI Because you're Elvan?
IRIKLAS Erm…yes.
[SFX: Wood creaking.]
TARÚK Bri, what are you doing?
BRI I'm going to come with you.
TARÚK NO! You stay.
BRI You said Nixes like cold places? I can—
TARÚK No, you cannot. You lack the skill.
[Music: "Siren Strings" starts.]
BRI (Huffs) Then I can help with the fight!
IRIKLAS You can help by protecting yourself!
[SFX: Footsteps on wood, blade sheath.]
TARÚK If you are immune to their song, you make sure they don't take me!
[SFX: Wooden creak, big splash.]
IRIKLAS (Grunts)
SCENE TWO: THE CAVE
[Music: "Siren Strings" continues.]
[SFX: Crickets singing.]
NARRATOR (Voiceover) The Elvan scoundrel and the Orc ranger tread the moonlit water, as their ship disappears behind them, and the maw of the Nix cave lies before them, like jaws prepared to receive their prey.
[Music: "Siren Strings" ends.]
[SFX: Footsteps through water, then grass.]
TARÚK You should wait outside the cave and make sure I leave it.
[SFX: Fly buzzing.]
TARÚK Up close with your knives you are no match.
IRIKLAS Hmm, look at the insect high on that tree.
TARÚK What?
[SFX: Air whoosh, wooden impact, metallic twang.]
IRIKLAS Pinned it! As you can see, I don't need to be close.
TARÚK (Deadpan) Impressive. Now—get it back.
IRIKLAS I, er—oh, great.
TARÚK You are as good at improvising as you are planning, Elvan.
IRIKLAS Wait, let me…uh…
[SFX: Wooden thud, thump in dirt.]
IRIKLAS Ha! Knocked it down. Got it.
[SFX: Water drips, echoing.]
TARÚK Be silent. I seem to have found their cave.
IRIKLAS What do your Orc eyes see?
TARÚK Water. It goes down. We must swim—
[SFX: Light splashing, wading through water.]
IRIKLAS It's Jenquo's spear.
TARÚK Would he venture in without his weapon?
NIXIE #1 (Humming)
IRIKLAS No. They have him too. That brave little oaf. We have to hurry.
[Music: "Siren’s Strings" starts.]
TARÚK Do you…hear that?
NIXIE #1 (Humming louder)
IRIKLAS Orc? Oh no, no, no, don't give that look.
TARÚK No. No. Get back, you monsters!
[SFX: Wading and splashing.]
[SFX: Bow string tightens, arrow nocking, then whooshing.]
TARÚK Where is it coming from!?
[SFX: Arrow nock.]
NIX #1: (Singing)
Dark traitor, you stand in the scorn of your homeland
[SFX: Arrow swoosh.]
TARÚK (Strained) Kill it! Kill it before…
NIX #1: (Singing)
You’ve been hunted all of your life
TARÚK I…
IRIKLAS Stay with me, Orc! Think of terribly unattractive things! Think of skinny Human girls with dresses!
NIX #1: (Singing)
They cannot punish your crime
TARÚK Gods, that voice…
NIX #1: (Singing)
If you leave before your time
TARÚK No, their song is…
[SFX: Wading in water.]
TARÚK It is beautiful.
IRIKLAS Don't put down your bow!
NIX #1: (Singing)
Reach home at last beneath stranger lands
IRIKLAS Where is it coming from?
[SFX: Blade unsheathes, more wading.]
IRIKLAS I have you now, you—!
NOKKEN #1:
There sweet prince whose worth
IRIKLAS No…
NOKKEN #1:
Fell short of noble birth
IRIKLAS Yes…
NOKKEN #1:
Must you flee from the cost of blood old
IRIKLAS He sounds so…nice.
NOKKEN #1:
Instead, you’ll stand your ground and make your sire proud
When it’s time to make up for your debt
(Roaring)
IRIKLAS (Gasp)
[SFX: Punching impact, splashing, hissing, gurgling underwater.]
[Music: "Siren’s Strings" ends.]
SCENE THREE: BY TEETH OR ANCIENT POWER
[SFX: Crickets singing, calm waves lapping, wood creaking.]
BRI It's been too long since I heard the shouting. Come on…fire. I need fire.
[SFX: Finger snapping.]
BRI Rhuadu, Chieftan of the Gods, hear me for I call you. I am your humble servant, and I need your help. Let me be a vessel for your power. Light my hands so that I can see the way—no—defend my friends. Please. I pray…
[SFX: Finger snapping.]
BRI (Slight groan) Well, to the hells with you, then! It's a good thing my father killed you!
[SFX: Finger snapping.]
BRI (Grunt) Worthless—! AAGH! I can't do nothing. I can't. I'll just—
[SFX: Wooden creaking, footsteps on wood.]
BRI (Breathlessly) —Do it my—
[SFX: Precarious wooden creaking, a beat…]
BRI (Distant yelp) A-A-AAH!
[SFX: Big splash.]
BRI Gods, it's cold. They went that way…
[SFX: Splashing and wading.]
[SFX: Footsteps through water.]
BRI Tarúk's bow. Iriklas's daggers.
[SFX: Wooden clank.]
BRI Heavier than it looks. It'll do. I hope… (Heavy breathing)
[SFX: More sloshing through water, drops echoing off cave walls.]
BRI It’s steeper. Oh! What am I doing? Gods, oh Gods, what am I doing?
[SFX: Underwater bubbling.]
BRI (Straining noises as she holds breath)
[SFX: Splashing above water.]
BRI (Gulping air) Tarúk!? Calan?
TARÚK (Grunts) (Groggy) Girl? Go! Leave us before they return!
BRI I can't see!
[SFX: More cave dripping and echoing.]
BRI I can feel the ground.
TARÚK Come no further!
BRI Where are you?
[SFX: Hollow clattering.]
BRI What was that? Was that a bone?
TARÚK We are in their den. This is where they feed. Go, before—
BRI I'm here! I'm—
[SFX: Cloth rustling.]
JENQUO (Groans)
BRI Ahh! Jenquo!
JENQUO (Groggy) Girl? Am I—?
CALAN Bri!
JENQUO Curse that monster! How did I get entranced by their angelic music?
IRIKLAS (Groggy) If you had waited, we would have told you.
[SFX: Slimy noise.]
BRI Ugh! You're covered in something, ugh, like seaweed. Hmm.
[SFX: Blade drawn.]
BRI I have the Elvan's dagger.
IRIKLAS (Faintly) Give it back.
TARÚK Then free my hand, and leave it here.
[SFX: Water splashes, hissing and growling.]
TARÚK Quickly!
NIXIE #1: (Roars)
BRI: Ahh!
[SFX: Dagger swishes.]
CALAN Its teeth are sharp! Look out!
BRI (Grunts) It's not that big. Come on, then! I've had to deal with bigger things than you!
[SFX: More splashing and swishing.]
CALAN Aye, but they were all drunk!
TARÚK Girl, stop! Your strength is no match for—!
[SFX: Slicing noise.]
BRI HA!
NIXIE #1: (Roars in pain)
[SFX: Claws slash.]
BRI (Cries out)
CALAN BRI, NO!
[SFX: Grabbing and slamming, hissing and roaring.]
BRI (Struggling)
JENQUO I can't see! Girl, what is happening!?
[SFX: Jaws snapping, fangs clacking.]
BRI It's trying to—its—bite! I-I can't—stop it!
TARÚK Find the strength! And then save yourself!
BRI No!
NIXIE #1: (Strains)
BRI NO!
[SFX: Fire ignites.]
[Music: “Bri’s Fire” (uplifting, mystical music) starts.]
NIXIE #1: (Hisses)
BRI I have it. I have it! The fire! (Laughs)
[SFX: Fire whooshes, punching impact, flesh sizzles.]
NIXIE #1: (Screams)
JENQUO Well done, girl!
[SFX: Splashing and swimming away.]
[Music: “Bri’s Fire” ends.]
JENQUO I can see now! Use your flaming hand to keep it away!
[SFX: More splashing, footsteps in water.]
TARÚK Get me the knife!
BRI Aye!
[SFX: Metal clatter.]
BRI Here! Be quick about—
NOKKEN #1 and NIX #1:
Brilliant fire whose name still burns with father’s shame
BRI —About—
NOKKEN #1 and NIX #1:
We’re not so different, you and I
JENQUO What on Earth is that?
TARÚK It's a Nokken. A man-Nixie. As the Nixie seduces men with her song, the Nokken charms women and—
NOKKEN #1 and NIX #1:
For each of us devour by teeth or ancient power
IRIKLAS That voice…
TARÚK …Some men.
NOKKEN #1 and NIX #1:
Oh, we monsters never shall be tamed
[SFX: Footsteps through water.]
TARÚK I am loose! Take the dagger, dwarf! (Grunts)
[SFX: Punching impact, splashing.]
NOKKEN #1: (Roars)
BRI: What was that?
IRIKLAS: Oh, not again.
[SFX: Punching and splashing in background.]
NIXIE #1: (Hisses)
TARÚK (Grunts)
JENQUO: Now you share in my embarrassment.
IRIKLAS: Oh, be quiet. Cut me loose!
[Music: "Tarúk and the Bandits" starts.]
IRIKLAS New plan, one we all hopefully agree on: FLEE!
TARÚK Yes!
BRI This way!
NOKKEN #1 and NIX #1: (Screeching)
[SFX: Running footsteps through water, more punching, burning, and splashing.]
SCENE FOUR: OUR VOYAGE
[Music: "Tarúk and the Bandits" ends.]
NARRATOR (Voiceover) Out of the cave, the reunited Voyagers savour their victory and escape, safe in the knowledge that the Nixies are licking their wounds. And as the mouth of the river ends, they find themselves once more floating at sea.
[SFX: Rope creaking, gentle waves.]
CALAN How did I let myself get taken? So easily?
JENQUO A good woman can charm even the most well-armed mind of man. But your mind is so vulnerable, boy, I could charm you, if I tried hard enough.
[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]
IRIKLAS Didn't save you from their song, Dwarf.
JENQUO I told you! If I hadn't followed the boy, he could have died!
IRIKLAS And you got yourself taken too! You only think with your spear, Dwarf!
TARÚK Perhaps this mistake would have been avoided if the Elvan hadn't tried to bribe pirates to leave us be.
IRIKLAS Firstly, I don't like it when you say it like that. Secondly, what would you have me do, Orc? If I see a chance to guarantee our safety, to make sure the voyage goes according to plan, I take it.
[Music: "Iriklas and Jenquo" (playful, scheming music) starts.]
BRI There may be no such thing. Villadius told me before we left, he could not guarantee my safety. And how could he? Iriklas, you had a plan, and Jenquo, you didn't. And Tarúk, you scoffed at both, and I… Well, I did nothing. Not until there was nothing left to do. This isn't your voyage. This is OUR voyage.
IRIKLAS All right. From this moment on, we discuss our plans and announce before doing anything impulsive, yes?
JENQUO Yes.
TARÚK Agreed.
CALAN Aye.
BRI Aye.
[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]
BRI Oh, and you should all learn each other's names.
[Music: "Iriklas and Jenquo" ends.]
[SFX: More footsteps.]
TARÚK You called, and the God answered.
BRI I did. I…I thought it might have been fear that called him the first time, but it was something else, the same thing I felt in that cave.
TARÚK Think on those moments, girl. Though save any practice for when we make port in Buri.
IRIKLAS Yes, but, er, try not to burn the village down.
BRI (Chuckles) Yes, I won't.
CLOSING CREDITS
[Music: "Main Theme" starts.]
[Music: "Main Theme" 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 and Stephen Cumberworth. 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.]