Chapter 7: A Dragon’s Gift (Part 1 of 2) Transcript

OPENING

[Music: "Main Title" (triumphant orchestral music) starts.]

NARRATOR The Call of the Flame: An Audio Play. Chapter Seven: A Dragon’s Gift, Part One of Two.

[Music: "Main Title" ends.]

SCENE ONE: WHERE IS BRI?

[SFX: Door thrown open, footsteps echoing on stone.]

VILLADIUS She left!

JENQUO Who left?

IRIKLAS Oh, endalan, who else but Bri?

VILLADIUS Where would she go!? Do any of you know?

JENQUO A-chiwo, how would I know? I didn't see her!

IRIKLAS Neither did I! I would've said something!

GUARIN Guards! The red-haired girl that came, search for her! Spread the word!

VILLADIUS Where is that Halfin, the one you entered with?

JENQUO Myrtle!?

IRIKLAS Halfin, where are you!? (Barely audible) She’s not here.

VILLADIUS Orc! Have you—? Oh. It makes sense now.

IRIKLAS Orc, you don't look bothered.

JENQUO And he saw her last.

VILLADIUS Tarúk, what did you do?

TARÚK (Clears throat)

VILLADIUS What did you tell that girl? Where is Bri?

TARÚK She's gone.

SCENE TWO: WELL-TRAVELED

[Music: “Myrtle and Bri” (hopeful, adventurous music) starts.]

[SFX: Birdsong, hooves clopping, horse snorting.]

NARRATOR (Voiceover) North-East of Bellar, past Buri where our Voyagers made port, Bri and Myrtle journey on one of the stolen carriage horses to the land where it all started: to the Wynland Kingdom. The winds carry a chill over the grassy fields, and the sky lacks in blue, as the country nears the end of autumn.

[SFX: Horse snorting.]

BRI Myrtle, I did not ask you to follow me where I'm going. You could go home.

MYRTLE I know that. It's not as if I haven't been dwelling fondly on my hearth and my garden…and a good supply of pipeweed. But what kind of a friend would I be if I turned back now? I have a code not to harm, and leaving you might do some harm.

BRI All right, but I do ask, if you have a plan, please let me know beforehand. I won't have any more surprises. And no more mystery potions, either.

MYRTLE Sounds fair enough. We girls have to stick together, don't we?

BRI (Laughing) I suppose so.

MYRTLE Is this the Wynland Kingdom?

BRI Think so, we just passed the Stream of Bones. We're in the country now.

MYRTLE You've been here before?

BRI Oh, no. I'm a barmaid, not exactly well-travelled.

MYRTLE You don't act like it.

BRI Well, one of us has to play the part until we can. And Father always described these lands to me. Made me feel like I was standing there with him, among the standing stones splitting the breeze on the land where the Tribe of Gods walked. The place beyond Wave and Wind.

MYRTLE I've heard of that place, an island, protected by Incanter magic. Guarded by the children of Duinna, the nine Fae. No one knows where to find it. Your father must've been a keen adventurer.

BRI (Hastily changing subject) So, tell me about dragons, they guard the spirit world?

MYRTLE Oh yes, they exist in both the physical and spiritual at the same time. The Magnir can send letters through the spirit world by burning them, but they can only visit once they've mastered their fire with—um—oh, what was it called? Let’s see, let’s see—

[SFX: Book pages flipping.]

MYRTLE Sanbaniel, the spirit root, and breathe in its vapor. But not before they've met a dragon that approves of them walking about in their home. Where all the worthy souls rest. They're also a good flavouring for bread. Oh—the root, not the souls. I think.

[SFX: More birdsong.]

BRI So, how does one court a dragon's favour?

MYRTLE The book doesn't say. You're a Magnir, supposedly the last one. They can't be too picky, right?

[SFX: Horse snorting, running water in the distance grows closer and closer.]

[Music: “Myrtle and Bri” ends.]

MYRTLE (Nervously) Um, why are we doing this again?

BRI When bodies of Rhuadu's believers are burned, they go to the Spirit World, along with their ancestors and all the dead Magnir. The dead have no use for me, maybe I can get answers from them without getting stepped on or strung along on somebody's cock and bull scheme. Maybe the Spirit World can tell me…why me? Why do I have Rhuadu's power, and where…?

MYRTLE And what?

BRI Nothing.

MYRTLE What will you do after this is done?

BRI I suppose I'll get back to work, at a tavern or inn somewhere. Be a well-travelled barmaid someplace.

[SFX: Horse brays, heavy footfall on earth.]

BRI Let me give you a hand.

[SFX: Another footfall, footsteps on grass.]

BRI We're going to ask around in that town over there.

MYRTLE I doubt many farmers have seen one.

BRI If a dragon has crossed your path, and you made it out alive, where would you share the story?

MYRTLE At one of my mum's picnic gatherings! (Whispers) Though if it were too dreadful, I'd quietly keep it to myself.

BRI (Laughs) Well, it won't be a picnic, but you may want to still keep to yourself.

[SFX: Distant voices, birdsong, trickling river water.]

SCENE THREE: PROPER HERBOLOGIST

NARRATOR (Voiceover) Where the grassy fields meet stone and river lies a collection of homes of stone and driftwood, of watermills and round rocks shaped over the years by the running river. Wood spokes fence off the settlement, and an armoured individual serves as its guardian.

[SFX: Clink of metal spear.]

WATCHMAN #1 (Gruff voice) Oi, stop right there, you two girls. What business do you have in Riverbottom? Who are y'here to see?

BRI Oh, we're merely lost and looking for direction.

WATCHMAN #1 No one, eh? Then turn on around and go somewhere else.

MYRTLE I beg your pardon?

WATCHMAN #1 You two could be sick for all I know. The Grave Pestilence has made its way to the countryside. The town council has decided to turn away all ye strangers before it comes. So be off, you two!

BRI We're not sick.

MYRTLE Yes, and I can cure people.

WATCHMAN #1 Heh, you little pipsqueak? No, no, you lie.

BRI I can vouch for Myrtle. She cured my friends of poison oak with tea. 

WATCHMAN #1 I, uh—c-can you really? We are lacking in a—um—a proper herbologist in these parts.

MYRTLE Why? Are you in need?

WATCHMAN #1 I—yes, yes, I do. I um—I frequented a tavern in the city, and I, um, I've been having this, er—itch.

BRI (Laughing) Oh— oh, this ought to be something.

MYRTLE An itch where?

WATCHMEN #1 Here.

MYRTLE Oh. Ooooooooh. Oh, well, um. (Almost whispering) I think I can—does it um, burn when you—?

[SFX: Insects buzzing, distant water splash.]

WATCHMEN #1 Oh aye, like the fires of Rhuadu's hell.

MYRTLE Then I think I do have something.

[SFX: Clinking of bottles.]

MYRTLE (Humming) Ah!

[SFX: Heavy clink.]

MYRTLE This ointment relieves pain and cures itching if you rub it on the—um—the… (Squeaking) …Itch.

WATCHMEN #1 Oh, that's good that! Yeah!

[SFX: Footsteps on dirt.]

MYRTLE Ah, ah, ah—will you let us in?

WATCHMEN #1 Well…oh, damn it all. Give me the bottle.

[SFX: Bottle clinking.]

WATCHMEN #1 You better not cause any trouble.

MYRTLE (Cloying) Thank you SO much!

BRI Thank you.

[SFX: More footsteps.]

MYRTLE (Aside) We're NEVER to talk of this again.

SCENE FOUR: AIN’T THIRSTY

[Background music: *]

[SFX: Wooden door creaking open, crowd chatter, glass clinking.]

MYRTLE This is definitely not one of Mum's picnics.

BRI Stay beside me.

[SFX: Footsteps on wood, ale pouring.]

MYRTLE (Raising voice) E-excuse me! Pardon, have you—madam, please—

[SFX: Hands slamming down on table.]

BRI (Yelling) OI! Over here!

[SFX: Scuffling.]

BRI Hands off!

PATRON #1 Oi, let me buy you a drink love.

BRI I ain't thirsty, ya cur.

PATRON #1 Oh, I've got the coin, love.

[SFX: Wooden stool screeches.]

BRI (Grunts, panicked breathing)

PATRON #1 I can think of ways you can repay me. Ha ha ha!

BRI (Frustrated grunt, then a determined yell) HA!

[SFX: Flame ignites.]

PATRON #1 YEEEEAAAAAAAGGH!!

[SFX: Flesh sizzles, glass breaks, bystanders shout and whisper.]

BRI Gods, I wish I could do that back at Finn's Tavern.

[SFX: Fire continues to crackle.]

PATRON #1 (Whimpering)

MYRTLE Um, Bri? You still don't know how to put it out?

BRI (Gasps) Oh, bollocks.

[SFX: Fire whooshes, bystanders gasp.]

PATRON #1 (Whimpering)

BRI Um…can I have a water?

SCENE FIVE: FAIR COMPENSATION

[Music: “Bellar” (majestic, slightly foreboding music) starts.]

[SFX: Wooden door creaks open.]

GUARIN Any word?

COMMANDER None yet. Our guards have searched the whole city and the land surrounding it.

GUARIN Not well enough!

[SFX: Footsteps on stone.]

GUARIN This was HIS doing! Where did she go? Do you know?

TARÚK Lay a hand on me and lose it, un-wizard.

GUARIN Guards, I order you to arrest this Orc!

VILLADIUS Peace. I am sure that you and your men have done what you can. Keep looking.

[SFX: Wooden door creaks shut.]

VILLADIUS She is already long gone. I know it.

[SFX: More footsteps.]

VILLADIUS So not only did you lose the boy I sent to watch her, but you made us lose the girl as well.

TARÚK I lost no one. You just chose poorly. He followed her for his own gain, not for her sake—just the same as you have led her.

VILLADIUS My own gain? What I am trying to do—what I am trying to do is for the good of us all.

TARÚK Not for her.

VILLADIUS She will have nowhere to run that is not ravaged by a war we could have prevented. And neither will you.

TARÚK Then I had better get a head start.

[SFX: Footsteps on stone.]

IRIKLAS Villadius, is it? I know you're very busy at this time, having lost the girl we went through so much trouble to keep alive—against Sorseers, Undead men, giants, sirens, vicious knights, pirates, and very stern innkeepers—and deliver in one piece to your door, in exchange for about—uh—what was it, Jenquo?

JENQUO (Sigh) One hundred gold.

IRIKLAS Yes, one hundred gold each.

TARÚK (Yelling in the background) TOTAL!

IRIKLAS (Yelling back) This doesn't concern you, orc!

JENQUO I told you we should've made a contract.

IRIKLAS Well, in any case, we were promised gold for bringing the girl here. You may have lost her, but we still held up our end, and we deserve fair compensation for our troubles. Many, many troubles.

VILLADIUS (Long-suffering sigh) Very well. Come. Come, I will pay as promised.

IRIKLAS (Under his breath) Oh, thank the Gods!

[SFX: Footsteps on stone.]

[Music: "Tarúk’s Theme" (regal, melancholy music) starts.]

JENQUO Orc man?

TARÚK Dwarf.

JENQUO You don't look like you're coming with us?

TARÚK I did not come for the pay. I came to get far from Workingar.

[SFX: Clinking of coins.]

JENQUO Never mind the pay, but there is no need to strike off on your own! There is plenty of room and work on our ship—with us.

TARÚK Any ship I sail is damned to sink, and I will take the two of you with me, whether by land or sea, sword or stone.

[SFX: Coins clatter.]

[SFX: Cloak swishes.]

TARÚK Farewell.

[SFX: Wooden door creaking open, crickets singing outside.]

IRIKLAS Jenquo? Come on, I smell gold!

[SFX: Wooden door drifts shut.]

JENQUO (Sighs)

[SFX: Slow, reluctant footsteps on stone.]

[Music: “Tarúk’s Theme” (regal, melancholy music) ends.]

SCENE SIX: TALK OF DRAGONS

[SFX: Crowd chatter, footsteps on wood.]

BRI Pardon me, sorry about earlier. Don't trouble yourself with the fire, t'was a—we're, uh—

MYRTLE In a circus!

BRI YES! Yes, yes! We're performers, for the um, festival in town.

MYRTLE She's a fire dancer!

BRI Yes, I am a fire dancer! I just need to get better at the, um—

[SFX: Wooden stool sliding, loud slurp of beer.]

BRI The dancing…anyway, that's not important, we're here to find Nurang—!

[SFX: Shrill squeak of another wooden stool, hurried footsteps.]

BRI (Sigh)

BARKEEP Go home ye damn girls, ye scaring my patrons.

MYRTLE (Slowly) I beg your pardon? 

BARKEEP Nothin' ta do with "magic tricks," ye hedge-born lil' runt. I'm talking of punishment o' seein' them dragons of these lands. Or were ye born yesterday?

MYRTLE Hedge-born?

BRI And the punishment is what?

BARKEEP Pain of death, ye damn girl. His Highness King Ardrun's boy decreed it, that no one provokes the winged fire breathers to come out their cave and rain smoking death on our peaceful towns. So I'll have no more talk of dragons, or I'll find a sellsword to lock you all away.

[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]

MYRTLE Maybe we should look elsewhere, find another dragon, or another way—

CASIMIR Pardon me, ladies—

BRI That fire was just a magic trick, move on!

CASIMIR Of course, of course. But I didn't come to you for that.

BRI Dammit! Look, whatever you're—

CASIMIR I can take you to Nurang the Black.

BRI (Sigh) Let me guess: and in return, you want—?

CASIMIR Mm, we can discuss pay later. I was heading in that direction already.

BRI Hmm. A moment alone, please?

CASIMIR Of course.

[SFX: More footsteps.]

MYRTLE Bri, what troubles you?

BRI I don't trust him. But if worse comes to worse, I can summon fire and you can command deadly animals, and if he leads us to Nurang, it may all be worth our time. What do you think?

MYRTLE He hasn't called me any names.

BRI Fair enough.

[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]

BRI Very well. After you. Take us to Nurang.

SCENE SEVEN: DOING BUSINESS

[SFX: Coins scraping across wooden table, wine pouring.]

VILLADIUS Natedisa, natekosa, natetesa…

[SFX: Plush clink of coin purse.]

VILLADIUS Doresa. There, as promised, fifty gold each.

[SFX: Loud sipping.]

VILLADIUS You, acolyte, see them outside.

IRIKLAS (Satisfied lip smack) Pleasure doing business with you.

[SFX: Purse jingling.]

IRIKLAS Good luck with your…eh, whatever it is.

VILLADIUS Erm…

[SFX: Chair scraping out and creaking.]

VILLADIUS (Muffled speaking in Sanavran*under his breath) Chieftan of Gods, brightest of flames, hear your vessel. Grant me wisdom for the times to come, forgiveness for that which has past so that I may mend the wounds of our world and—

[SFX: Footsteps on stone.]

IRIKLAS (Muffled in background) Jenquo?

JENQUO Mister Wizard?

VILLADIUS (Vexed) What do you want, Dwarf?

JENQUO (Flustered) I, um—

[SFX: Wine sipping in background.]

JENQUO How much to bring the girl back here?

IRIKLAS (Choking in background) What!? (Cough) More, please.

[SFX: Wine pouring.]

VILLADIUS Nothing. I'm sorry, but we just won't spare any more coin.

JENQUO We can work for less this time!

IRIKLAS (In background) Not me!

VILLADIUS To tell it truthfully, Dwarf, I don't think Bri will want to.

JENQUO Aye, you do not know her. I journeyed with her. Watched her powers grow. Grew quite fond of her, too. I believe, if given the chance, we could talk to her.

IRIKLAS (In background) Who is this "we" you're speaking of?

[SFX: Chair squeaking across floor, footsteps on stone.]

VILLADIUS What you seek, I cannot give you. Go back to your home, young Dwarf.

JENQUO Were that I had one.

[SFX: Footsteps fade out.]

SCENE EIGHT: NURANG THE BLACK

[SFX: Distant ocean waves.]

NARRATOR (Voiceover) Miles from the watchtowers, the Barmaid and the Halfin are led through a barren stretch of land, its grassy hills and wooden homesteads long since reduced to gravel and ashes on their path to the land's end. Above the black stone where the Wynland Kingdom and the sea lies a deep gash in the cliff: the cave of Nurang.

[Music: "Nurang’s Theme" (majestic, menacing music) starts.]

CASIMIR Over there. I'll go no further. This is your last chance to turn away, both of you.

BRI Father faced more dangerous things than dragons. His blood flows through my veins. I'm not afraid.

CASIMIR Good, because dragons smell fear. Move slowly and do not surprise it. Speak loud and clear, for they are sometimes hard of hearing, but they are too proud to ask a question twice. And no matter what, do not tell it your name or the land from whence you came. Not a hint.

MYRTLE Are you sure you want to go alone?

BRI There is no other way.

[Music: "Nurang’s Theme" ends.]

[SFX: Footsteps on gravel.]

BRI (Grunting and straining)

[SFX: Uncertain footsteps on stone.]

BRI What use does a dragon have for so much gold?

[SFX: Metallic crunching underfoot.]

BRI (Voice echoing) Eugh!

[SFX: Hollow rattling of bone.]

BRI And can't be bothered to at least clear the skeletons out?

[SFX: More gold-clinking footsteps, then beat of silence.]

BRI (Voice echoing heavily) Ah, hells. Well, here goes. Nurang! I'm, uh—I'm a Magnir, the last Magnir. I'm sorry, I don't know the etiquette for calling on you, but I come for counsel. That's something you do, is it not?

[SFX: Silence.]

BRI Are you there? For goodness' sake, are you even real? Did you die along with Rhuadu?

[SFX: More silence.]

BRI Well, maybe it's better not to face a dragon, after all. Gods, what was I thinking? I'm no better than dad.

[SFX: Footsteps on gold.]

BRI I suppose while I'm here I may as well take some gold. I could retire to a cottage far away, where no Magnir or Sorseers ever bother me again.

[SFX: Gold clinking turns into sliding and pouring, then beneath the avalanche rises a growl.]

BRI Whoaaa!

[SFX: Growl intensifies into a roar, gold pouring in a waterfall.]

BRI You were under there!?

NURANG (Yawns, punctuating her speech with snorts and growls) There is nowhere you could go that no one would bother you. You could have daggers for teeth, swords for talons, wings the span of a mountaintop, and still, creatures will come to poke and prod, with weapons or words, oblivious to their impending—

[SFX: Heavy thud that sends gold scattering.]

BRI Aah!

NURANG —Incineration. (Roar)

BRI Putting it back! I'm putting it all back! I'm sorry, I just thought—

NURANG You thought my treasure unguarded!?

[Music: "The Cave" (majestic, mysterious music) starts.]

BRI Well…you were hiding!

[SFX: Another thud in the gold.]

BRI Aaaah!

NURANG (Laughs) Silly little worm. (Blows breath)

BRI (Coughing) Ugh, more smoke than in a tavern!

NURANG Not just smoke! I am FIRE!

[SFX: Fire whooshes.]

BRI Your skin! Under your scales—they're glowing red. You're—!

NURANG (Wicked laugh) Little creature, I was born and moulded in flame.

[SFX: Fire continues to crackle.]

NURANG My soul burns hotter than the forges you dull things use to make your dragon-killing swords! I was conceived to do exactly this! (Roar)

BRI And I thought myself empowered.

NURANG You know nothing.

[Music: "The Cave" ends.]

BRI Did you know your gold is melting?

[SFX: Gigantic footsteps through waves of clinking gold.]

BRI Whoa, whoa, not so close! Not so close!

NURANG Who sent you to me that you come willing as a lamb?

BRI What makes you think that?

NURANG Scores of men have dared approach themselves, as you do now, all looking to gain from me, one way or another.

[SFX: Biggest thud whooshing through gold yet.]

BRI Your tail! Watch it!

NURANG Kings to compare my wealth to theirs, hunters to conquer the greatest prey, scholars to ask the truth from an ancient soul. But I have never in all my ages seen a maid come freely—not tied to a stake, offered as a sacrifice, as if girls taste any better than kings and warriors and sages. (Growl)

BRI Stop that.

NURANG So I ask: for which man's gain did you come, little maiden fair?

BRI I'm here for no one but myself.

NURANG Is that so? Do you think yourself brave?

BRI I'm just tired.

NURANG You're tired? You woke me from my nap. Do you know how a dragon feels when awoken?

BRI Ah!

[SFX: More giant footsteps, crunching gold.]

NURANG (Growling and smacking her lips) Peckish.

BRI I don't suppose you have any tea and cakes to offer while we chat?

NURANG I should be picking your bones out of my teeth by now.

BRI I'm a Magnir!

NURANG You lie!

BRI I do not.

NURANG There are none left. And when there were, they were only men.

BRI That sounds like them. I want nothing to do with their order, anyway.

[SFX: Giant shifting through gold.]

BRI I can prove it.

[SFX: Small flame bursts.]

NURANG Ahhh…

BRI Now you see. I carry Rhuadu's fire gift. Like you.

NURANG Like me? You dare liken your meagre little spark to my breath-pyre?

[SFX: Bri’s small flame whooshes defensively in response to more giant footsteps.]

BRI Aaaah!

NURANG A pity you Humans age in the blink of an eye. You can only hope to Master your spark shortly before it is snuffed out.

BRI I can summon my fire just fine.

NURANG You lack control.

BRI Yes, I do!

NURANG Liar. Your feelings, your heart, it can light your palm and fingertips. But you know not of how it can control you just as you can control it. Impulsive, stupid worm, if you leave your attitude unchecked, if anger were to overcome you such as it never has before, your inner pyre will consume you.

BRI But isn't that why you helped the Magnir? To teach them control? You opened the door of the spirit realm for followers of Rhuadu, or have I heard wrong?

NURANG An ignoble chore left by our divine father, looking after his pathetic step-children. We were his first, and best, beyond compare.

BRI Is he—do you know where—

NURANG Rhuadu is not in the spirit realm, wherever the old fool may be.

BRI Not in the spirit—what do you mean?

NURANG I exist in both worlds, little worm, and he is not in either of them.

BRI But that's where souls of his followers go, isn't it? And if he's not there, then…what does that mean?

NURANG Here is the part that bores me. Before you may enter the spirit realm, you must first absolve your spirit.

BRI I don't know what that means.

NURANG If your soul is heavy, it will be difficult to carry into another realm.

BRI (Sarcastic) I'm feeling light as a feather.

NURANG I am not a guardian for no reason. Your little human foibles are as obvious to me as the smell of your fear. You may as well walk with your wounds in the open, inviting more.

BRI What wounds?

NURANG You have been coveted, and used, and at last, betrayed.

BRI How would you know?

NURANG Even if I could not see into the very embers of your being, I would know that pain anywhere.

BRI Is that so? When have you ever let anyone close enough to betray you? Instead of just snapping at them, biting their heads off, burning it all…

NURANG Do you think my broken scales came with old age? I have learned, and so will you. You were a fool to ever think they wanted to help you. Those who you thought were your friends.

BRI I'm under no such delusions anymore.

NURANG Then why are you here, waiting on my wisdom?

BRI Is there no one I could trust?

[Music: "Judgement" (slow-building, tragic choral music) starts.]

NURANG None but yourself. We are a rare breed, and the common, both high and low, will hunt us to the ends of the Earth. Your father travelled alone for that very reason.

BRI How do you know about my father?

NURANG Are you not the spawn of Desmond the Slayer? You have his red hair, and his stench.

BRI About…my father. Any chance you've seen him? In the spirit realm?

NURANG Yes.

BRI So Rhuadu took him to the Spirit World after all. Is he in the Summerlands? Or, or the—?

NURANG Neither. Rhuadu sorted all into those deserving of paradise and punishment. Your father exists in a ceaseless void of his own making—

BRI (Softly) No—

NURANG —Awaiting a judgment that will never come. Like all souls that came after his passing.

BRI …It can't be.

NURANG You must take after your mother, little worm. You are not much like him.

BRI So the dead can't come to the spirit world. They're trapped—in nothingness.

NURANG (Yawn)

[SFX: Giant footsteps crunching gold.]

BRI Oh, father, what did you do?

NURANG (Yawn) I've decided not to eat you.

BRI (Wry) Oh. Thanks.

NURANG The spirit world it is not meant for mortals. That is why only real Magnir can enter it. The knowledge it gives you is meant only for you, like the rest of your gifts. And like them, you will not master it immediately.

[SFX: More giant footsteps and crunching.]

BRI Rhuadu couldn't make things easy.

NURANG Good riddance. Now…

[Music: "Judgement" ends.]

(Blows smoke) BREATHE—deep in your lungs.

[SFX: Smoke gusts and whooshes.]

BRI (Breathes deeply)

[SFX: Beat of silence.]

BRI How will I know if it worked?

NURANG You don't.

[SFX: Nocking of an arrow, then whizzing at it flies and crack as it lands. Gold flies as heavy feet thrash.]

NURANG (Roar)

[Music: "Judgement" starts.]

BRI Nurang!

NURANG MY EYE!

CASIMIR Run, girl! This doesn't concern you!

[SFX: Small footsteps cross the gold.]

BRI Get away from her!

CASIMIR You had what you came for, now I'm here to seize mine!

BRI Fool! You’ve doomed us both!

NURANG THAT WAS THE LAST MISTAKE OF YOUR LIFE!

[SFX: Dragonfire roars.]

CASIMIR (Cries out in pain)

BRI (Recoiling gasp)

[SFX: Giant footsteps crunch.]

BRI Why would you do this?

CASIMIR (Strained) It is what I do, girl! I hunt beasts worthy of my skill!

[SFX: Sword drawn.]

CASIMIR Now run!

[SFX: Giant thud, sword clangs to the ground.]

CASIMIR (Cries out)

NURANG GLOAT IN DEATH!

[SFX: Dragonfire roars once more.]

CASIMIR (Screams, briefly)

[SFX: Giant footsteps resume, bursts of dragonfire.]

NURANG Worm!? Face me, you liar! Own what you have done to me, seal your betrayal, look in my EYE! Where are you, worm!?

[Music: "Judgement" crescendos.]

CLOSING CREDITS

[Music: "Judgement" 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, Abigail Turner, Xathian, Gary Gibbs the Second, and Sarah Ruth Thomas as Nurang. 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. Editing by Kurt Cañez and Sasha Blore. Read the podcast description and follow us on our pages of media. Send a bird baring the hashtag COTF Podcast, and follow us on Twitter @calloftheflame. 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 installment of our play. To ask us about sponsorship, send an electronic letter to thecalloftheflamepodcast@gmail.com. And now a message from our playwright.

KURT Hello again my friends. Firstly, I wanted to start off by crediting my own sister, Nadi, as co-writer of this chapter. Getting this one right was really difficult and it’s part of why the massive delay. It wouldn’t have been possible without her. George, our narrator has been sick since we first did pickups, so we couldn’t get him to record that credit here, but I wanted to give her a shout out none the less. On that same note, I wanted to give a shoutout in his absence to our new patrons: Jonathan Winstead and Zane. We are that much closer to making The Call of The Flame entirely listener supported. Tier one is Sorseers at $1. No major bonuses except you get to join our discord with the cast and crew, all thirty members. There’s a funny discussion going on every day and we’re all sharing funny videos, new projects, and some art. There’s the Magnir tier at $4.50, now that’s where we share extended episodes, bonus content and music by Adam and Stephen Cumberworth, which I will not stop praising. And yeah $4.50, that’s less than two comic books a month, or three Snickers bars, or one song on iTunes! Between now and Chapter Seven Part Two, we’ll be uploading another round of extended episodes. If you wanna indulge in more character moments, some extra scenes, more that I cooked up because I’m a nerd and did a lot of research, and I want you to suffer through it, and the music of Adam Halpin and Stephen Cumberworth, then yeah, think about joining. I have some more promotional material for the Patreon, too, so you can see how much longer the episode actually is compared to the original, as well as a better idea what I’m putting out there so. Think of the extended episodes as like the book version, and think of the public version as the film version, where it’s like okay, that’s all nice and cool, we’ll put a homage to that, but we really wanna get to the action and get to the meat of it. That’s the difference between the extended and the public versions. So yeah, if you’re a nerd like me, then you should definitely check out the extended chapters on the Patreon. Between now and Chapter Seven, there’ll be a lot more of them. Oh, and one more thing, I wanna thank everyone on Twitter for sharing the show. Every time I get a notification, I just light up. I’s so wonderful to have people share the show and talk about what they like about the show and recommend it to others. Um, it’s so wonderful, I will absolutely like and share and possibly leave a comment if I think of something funny, and it helps the show like nothing else. Uh, that’s about it for now, thank you so much and stay tuned for Part Two, it’ll come out a lot faster this time, I promise!

NARRATOR This has been a Magnir Production. I am your narrator, George Hoctor. We thank you all for listening.

[Music: "End Credits” ends.]