Chapter 9: The Lays of Workingar (Part 3 of 3) Transcript
OPENING
[Music: "Main Title" (triumphant orchestral music) starts.]
NARRATOR The Call of the Flame: An Audio Play. Chapter Nine: The Lays of Workingar. Part Three of Three.
[Music: "Main Title" starts.]
SCENE ONE: THE TOWER
[Music: "It's Father" (chilling percussive and choral music).]
[SFX: Ropes creaking, rain pelting, waves lapping.]
JENQUO There's more coming!
THOROK (Watery drone) BOY…
TARÚK No!
[SFX: Punching impacts.]
TARÚK No, get AWAY!
THOROK (Growling)
[SFX: More punching.]
IRIKLAS Tarúk, your sword!
JENQUO Use your sword!
TARÚK NO! NO! GO BACK TO HELL!
[SFX: Water splashing.]
IRIKLAS Why didn't you stab him?
[SFX: Mohrians gibbering, more splashing, blades slashing.]
IRIKLAS (Grunting)
JENQUO (Grunting)
JENQUO Our weapons are not killing them! Only slowing them down.
[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]
JENQUO The lights! There's hundreds of them.
IRIKLAS It's their eyes.
[SFX: Water splashing.]
TARÚK We're near shore.
[SFX: Boat thudding, splashing watery footsteps.]
JENQUO We're out of the water at last!
TARÚK That won't stop them! We need to get as far away from the water as we can before—
[SFX: Mohrians growling.]
IRIKLAS AAH!
TARÚK RUN!
[SFX: Running footsteps splashing through water.]
JENQUO (Panting)
IRIKLAS (Panting) Don't look back, Jenquo! Just run!
[SFX: Wet running footsteps.]
JENQUO I can see the door!
TARÚK (Panting) The tower! This way!
[SFX: Wooden thud.]
JENQUO Ugh! I'm at the door, but it's bolted!
TARÚK Raise the lever!
[SFX: Wooden clank, door creaking open, wet footsteps.]
MOHRIAN #1 (Growling)
[SFX: Thudding against door.]
JENQUO NO! GET BACK, BEAST!
IRIKLAS Its hand! It won't CLOSE!
TARÚK Close it! Close the door!
[Music: "It's Father" ends.]
[SFX: Sword drawn, slicing noise.]
MOHRIAN #1 (Groaning)
[SFX: Supernatural drone.]
[SFX: Door thudding shut.]
IRIKLAS That was—!? (Splutters) Did you always have those glowing runes on your blade?
[SFX: Sword sheathe.]
TARÚK (Grumbles)
IRIKLAS (Panting)
JENQUO (Panting)
TARÚK Come on, that door won't hold long.
[SFX: Footsteps on stone.]
TARÚK We take the stairs up, and take the bridge into the mountains.
JENQUO What are we to do about the Mohrians?
TARÚK Same thing I've been doing all these years.
[SFX: Thudding and banging against door, muffled Mohrian growling.]
TARÚK Running. And staying the hell away from the water.
SCENE TWO: SKALD
[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]
ULTOVÍN Where is it?
[SFX: Bottle clinking, book pages rustling, cloth shuffling.]
ULTOVÍN Where is it!? RAAGH!
[SFX: Footsteps fade away.]
[SFX: Muffled wind howling.]
MYRTLE (Exhales) Oh, he's gone.
[SFX: Cloth rustling, shuffling on wood, then footsteps.]
MYRTLE (Breath of relief)
[SFX: Soft footsteps on wood.]
[SFX: Blade slices through air.]
MYRTLE AAAH!
ULTOVÍN Give me that book!
MYRTLE (Screaming) …O-okay!
[SFX: Book pages flapping in air, splash in water.]
ULTOVÍN NO! CURSE YOU, YOU LITTLE—!
[SFX: Diving splash in water.]
[SFX: Running footsteps on wood.]
MYRTLE (Panting and squeaking)
[SFX: Wind whistling, feet crunching in snow.]
MYRTLE (Panting and squeaking)
[SFX: Wooden door crashes open.]
RÖK Squirrel?
MYRTLE We have to get out of here!
[SFX: Door shuts, wind muffled.]
BRI Myrtle!? What is it!?
[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]
MYRTLE Ultovín! He's back and he's—he came back for his book and—! (Panting)
DANAL Ultovín?
MYRTLE Yes, he's a Sorseer. They call him the Chimera! He's after us! I mean, I slowed him down, I threw one of my cookbooks into the water for him to go after!
DANAL Did he have a horned lion mask?
MYRTLE I—um, yes. Yes, he does.
DANAL Skald.
[Music: "The Orcan King" (foreboding percussion and chanting) starts.]
[SFX: Banging on door, creaking open.]
ULRAUG Girls.
[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]
RÖK We're not in the hall anymore, Ulraug.
[SFX: Hammer scraping and ringing.]
RÖK Get out, or—!
ULRAUG The King has seized your ship.
[SFX: Sword drawn.]
ULRAUG He demands your presence. All of you.
SCENE THREE: WORTHY
[Music: "The Orcan King" (foreboding percussion and chanting) starts.]
[SFX: Wind whistling, footsteps crunching in snow.]
ULRAUG Damn this sudden snow.
[SFX: Great doors creaking open, orc crowd clamouring.]
ORC #1 Move, girl.
[SFX: Doors creaking shut, footsteps on wood.]
ORC #2 What’s she doing here?
TALOG Human girl.
BRI King orc.
MYRTLE (Mumbling) It's like I'm invisible, really.
RÖK What's the meaning of this?
TALOG That's why you're here. Skald, here they are. The Fire Maiden and her accomplices. What do you make of them?
[SFX: More footsteps.]
BRI Ultovín.
RÖK You know the Skald?
BRI Yes, he's a Sorseer. He serves the Dark Bride, he sits on the Council in Wynhold, he's a schemer, and a murderous LIAR!
[Music: "The Orcan King" ends.]
[SFX: Orc crowd clamouring.]
ULTOVÍN I've been to Wynhold many times, it is true. I'm a friend to all lands.
TALOG Bluehood has been a friend and healer for over six winters. I trust him more than the likes of you.
[SFX: Muffled wind whistling.]
MYRTLE HE just tried to kill me!
[Music: "The Deep God" (dark, majestic choral music) starts.]
ULTOVÍN I did. You don't know who you're harbouring under this roof.
BRI Do you not know who he is? He's Ultovín, the Chimera. He's a Sorseer!
ULTOVÍN Skald.
TALOG He rid us of the plague from the West, this…Grave Pestilence. We welcome his abilities when the nights are darkest.
BRI Who do you think makes them that way?
ULTOVÍN Witches, Warlocks, and Firestarters. These two kidnapped me.
[SFX: Orc crowd clamour intensifies.]
BRI WHAT!?
ULTOVÍN Escaping the city watch, arson in Buri, and mutilating a knight in the most gruesome of ways. And that is to say nothing of their kidnapping of my person. They've bound me and stole my valuable texts. See?
ULRAUG His hands were bound, I can see the marks.
BRI LIAR!
TALOG Then it is settled, take them to the chopping block.
[SFX: Orc crowd cheers and bangs on tables.]
ULTOVÍN No, one could argue that this girl simply cannot control her fire. And all her running and thieving are the acts of a scared child. Give them over to me. I will see that the sentence fits the crime.
RÖK Talog. Brother. You are making a mistake.
TALOG …Skald, I will lend you my guards.
[SFX: Orc crowd clamours.]
BRI Tarúk lives!
[SFX: Orc crowd hushes, then murmurs.]
ORC #2 Tarúk is alive?
ORC #3 King Tarúk lives?
ORC #5 It’s true?
DANAL Girl!?
RÖK What are you doing!?
[Music: "The Deep God" ends.]
BRI That's right, your one true king. He lives, and only I know where. That's why I'm here. To lead you to him.
[SFX: More crowd gasping and murmuring.]
ORC #6 Is it true?
TALOG Be silent!
BRI If he were here, you know what he'd do? He wouldn't let your country fall to starvation. He would make peace with your enemies, not incite them to war! And he wouldn't bend to the will of villainy. You're a stupid, spineless, cur, and the only throne fit for you is in the privy!
[SFX: Orc crowd clamouring.]
[SFX: Sword drawn, heavy running footsteps creaking on wood.]
TALOG RRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!
ULTOVÍN Stop!
RÖK Brother, NO!
[SFX: Hammer and sword clanging and scraping together, then a hammer strike.]
TALOG AAAAH!
ORC #3 What have you done?
ORC #4 You have brought shame upon us!
TALOG (Panting) …You struck me!? (Roars)
ORC #1 Shame on you.
[SFX: Tables crashing, tankards clattering, heavy footsteps.]
BRI Time to go, Myrtle! Myrtle? Where are you!?
[SFX: Orc crowd clamour intensifies.]
TALOG I'LL TEAR HER APART! GET OUT OF MY WAY!
RÖK You can't—! GAAH!
[SFX: Butt of sword striking.]
[Music: *]
ULTOVÍN What have you done!?
ORC #1 Shame on you!
ORC #2 You CUR!
ULTOVÍN You've struck her! Your hall will be cursed for a thousand YEARS, you idiot!
TALOG Come HERE!
[SFX: Great doors crashing open, wind howling.]
RÖK FIRE MAIDEN!
BRI (Panting)
[SFX: Snow crunching under straining footsteps.]
TALOG (Distant) Tarúk was WEAK! I am a STRONG! Like our FATHER! I am WORTHY of the throne! I am worthy of this SWORD!
BRI Damn this cloak…
TALOG I AM!
[Music: * ends.]
[SFX: Fire ignites.]
BRI No, you're NOT! NYAH!
[SFX: Fire whooshes.]
TALOG AAAH!
BRI (Gasps) Gods dammit, will nothing slow you!?
[SFX: More crunching in snow, sword drawn.]
TALOG (In Sanavran)* [Blade, awaken and feed on spells.]
BRI (Panting)
BRI Get away!
[SFX: Slapping impact.]
TALOG (Gasp)
BRI No!
[SFX: Sword whooshing.]
TALOG HAH!
BRI AAH!
[SFX: Sword slash.]
BRI (Whimpering)
TALOG Now you have NOTHING! No power! You have NOTHING!
[SFX: Sword rings.]
BRI (Panting)
[SFX: Hooves beat in the snow, bleats in the distance.]
BRI Oh, what in—?
TALOG Goats!?
[SFX: Bleating increases, bells ringing.]
MYRTLE [Forward charge! Attack!]*
TALOG NO!
[SFX: Headbutting impacts, hooves trampling, bells ringing.]
TALOG GAAAH!
[SFX: Body thudding in snow.]
BRI (Groans)
[SFX: Another thud in snow.]
MYRTLE Bri! Bri! Oh, you're bleeding— (Gasps)
[SFX: Wind whistling, footsteps crunching in snow.]
DANAL What's going on?
MYRTLE She's cut! In the arm. Bri, don't tell me he used the—?
BRI Sword. It's too late, Myrtle. It's over. I lost it. I'm powerless.
MYRTLE No, no, no, it's not true. (Crying)
DANAL Come on, help me get her to her feet. Take her insi—
[SFX: Beat.]
[Music]*
ULTOVÍN My books. Now.
MYRTLE We can't let him have it!
DANAL What's in them?
MYRTLE Incanter texts. Forbidden ones. Dark and evil rituals, the texts from which the Night's Plague was made and killed half the world.
DANAL Run, little Halflin. Run!
[SFX: Footsteps crunching in snow.]
MYRTLE (Straining) I can't! The snow is too deep, and I'm too…
ULTOVÍN You are between me and everlasting peace.
[SFX: Blade drawn.]
ULTOVÍN Just walk away.
MYRTLE (Panting)
[SFX: Axe swinging.]
DANAL Not today.
[SFX: Staff and axe ring and clash, feet crunching in snow.]
ULTOVÍN (Grunting)
DANAL (Grunting)
[SFX: Axe strike.]
ULTOVÍN OOOF! AGH!
[SFX: Ice shards crackle and whoosh.]
DANAL (Choking noises)
[SFX: Body thuds to ground.]
MYRTLE No! [Come back and help!]*
[SFX: Staff whooshes in air, then strikes.]
MYRTLE Ah…
BRI NO!
[SFX: Book pages flipping.]
BRI BASTARD! (Grunts)
[SFX: Staff strike.]
BRI (Pants)
ULTOVÍN Go back to your home, girl. I will set things right.
BRI NO! (Weeps)
[SFX: Wind howls.]
SCENE FOUR: THE BRIDGE
[SFX: Mohrians growling in distance, footsteps on stone stairs, wooden shutters rattling in wind.]
TARÚK You all go first. I'm the one they're after.
JENQUO Which is exactly why we should shield you.
TARÚK You can't protect me, Dwarf.
[SFX: Sword partially drawn, then sheathed again.]
TARÚK Only this can.
IRIKLAS (Bitter laugh) Oh, well then, please, get in the back.
TARÚK Can you see, Dwarf?
JENQUO Not very well—aah!
[SFX: Faltering steps.]
TARÚK We're out of time.
[SFX: Wind howling, growls growing closer.]
TARÚK Wait, wait! There's a step missing, I rememb—!
IRIKLAS AAAH!
[SFX: Scrambling against stone.]
JENQUO Stop squirming, pull yourself to—
[SFX: Growling intensifies, rain pelts, thunder rumbling.]
IRIKLAS Please still be there, please still be there—the bridge! Tarúk! This bridge seems to be as old as I am!
JENQUO But not as well kept.
IRIKLAS Thank you!
[SFX: Wooden bridge rattles in wind.]
TARÚK One at a time. You first, Elvan! Go!
IRIKLAS Why me!?
[SFX: Wet footsteps, sword draws, slicing flesh.]
IRIKLAS Okay, this is fine!
[Music: "The Bridge" (tense choral action music) starts.]
[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]
JENQUO Here they come!
TARÚK Keep them back!
[SFX: Slicing and punching.]
JENQUO (Grunting)
TARÚK (Grunting)
IRIKLAS I'M AT THE OTHER SIDE! COME ON!
[SFX: Punching impact.]
TARÚK Go, Jenquo!
[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]
JENQUO AH!
IRIKLAS Hold the ropes!
[SFX: More slicing and punching.]
TARÚK (Grunting)
JENQUO Orc! Come on!
[SFX: More punching.]
TARÚK HRAAH! I'm coming!
THOROK (Watery drone) I gave you life, boy, and for it you took MINE!?
TARÚK And I threw your carcass in the sea.
[SFX: Deep underwater rumbling and splashing.]
IRIKLAS Beneath the bridge!
THOROK The Krakens reach from below, boy. If I can't find peace in the next world, neither will YOU.
IRIKLAS Orc! There's more behind you!
JENQUO He's stopped!
IRIKLAS What are you doing!?
[SFX: Sword whooshes.]
TARÚK RUN!
[Music: "The Bridge" ends.]
[SFX: Ropes cut, wood creaks and crashes.]
[SFX: Mohrians scream as they fall, splashing below.]
JENQUO TARÚK! NOOOO!
TARÚK (Heavy breathing)
[SFX: Wet running footsteps, rain pelting.]
IRIKLAS (Panting)
JENQUO (Panting) Aah!
IRIKLAS He lives!
JENQUO The Mohrians fell, but he clings on to the ropes below!
[SFX: Water splashing, kraken rumble, wet appendages slapping and squishing.]
[Music: "Judgement" (tragic choral music) starts.]
IRIKLAS Oh, endalan, what is that?
JENQUO Tentacles!
[SFX: Tentacles whip and squeeze, sword clatters against rock.]
TARÚK (Grunting)
[SFX: Kraken roars.]
TARÚK (Grunting) Find…BRI!
[SFX: Tentacles pulling, water splashing.]
TARÚK NYAAAH!
JENQUO TARÚK! NO!
IRIKLAS NO!
[Music: "Judgement" ends.]
SCENE FIVE: CURSES AND BLESSINGS
[SFX: Wind blowing gently.]
NARRATOR (Voiceover) The screaming wind falls silent. The frostbitten tears cease. The sky over Workingar falls dark.
[SFX: Footsteps crunching in snow.]
NARRATOR (Voiceover) Bri carries her friend into the household of the now dead blacksmith, as the mighty Rök trudges through the snow in search.
RÖK Fire Maiden!? Where are you!?
[SFX: Wooden door clattering open and shut, footsteps on wood.]
RÖK Fire Maiden…
[SFX: Cloak whooshing.]
BRI Danal is dead. Myrtle is alive—
MYRTLE (Unconscious mumbling)
[SFX: More footsteps.]
BRI —But badly hurt. Neither of you can stay…take care of her. Rök? You're bleeding.
[Music: "Tarúk’s Theme" (regal, melancholy music) starts.]
RÖK Talog struck me, after I struck him. In the hall of our fathers. We have now both of us brought shame to the family, spilt the blood of our kin in our hall, and brought the curse upon our house. Tarúk is our only hope now. He is good. The last of us that is good. Promise me you will do this.
BRI What if he isn't? The last that is good? What if he's lost?
RÖK Then you must find him.
[SFX: Beat.]
BRI …Okay.
[SFX: More footsteps, wooden door clattering open and shut, wind blowing.]
BRI (To herself) Is it true?
[SFX: Fire ignites and crackles.]
BRI My hand still burns?
RÖK Then the sword was a lie.
BRI (Simultaneously) —A lie? (Slight laugh of disbelief)
RÖK Do you have protection?
BRI My fire…
[SFX: Hammer clanks.]
BRI …And Danal's smithing hammer.
[SFX: Footsteps crackling in snow.]
[Music: "Tarúk’s Theme" (regal, melancholy music) ends.]
RÖK Fire Maiden, what will you do?
BRI What will I do? What’s bloody responsible.
[SFX: More footsteps.]
RÖK (Blessing in Orcan)*
[SFX: Wind blowing.]
SCENE SIX: THE MARK
[SFX: Birdsong, leaves rustling, footsteps on dirt, thieves chattering and laughing.]
ROBERT Come now, Men of Ballads, we're not out of the woods yet.
SCARLET Actually, we are. There's a great field and a farm just that way.
[Music: "The Men of Ballads" (enigmatic, slightly playful string music) starts.]
DUNLAUG Praise the Chieftan. I've grown weary of surviving on berries and day-old venison.
ROBERT Don't let your mouths water yet. There's no guarantee our hospitality will be received. Scarlet, just you and me will approach the homestead.
SCARLET Why just us?
ROBERT Because the locals might be more forthcoming to host a band of thieves if the two most charming did the talking. If it's a woman, she may fancy me. If it's a man, he'll—
SCARLET (Simultaneously) He'll fancy me?
ROBERT (Simultaneously) Also fancy me—
ROBERT Yeah, yes, I was going to say that.
[Music: "The Men of Ballads" ends.]
[SFX: Crow caws, flies buzz, footsteps on dirt.]
SCARLET There's a mark on the door, a white 'X'.
ROBERT Now what could that mean?
[SFX: Knocking on wooden door.]
[SFX: Beat, birds singing, flies buzzing.]
[Music: "The Deep God" (dark, majestic, gloomy choral music) starts.]
[SFX: Another knock.]
SCARLET Is there anyone inside?
[SFX: Door creaks open, rats squeaking, footsteps on wood.]
ROBERT (Gasps)
[SFX: Flies swarming.]
SCARLET What is it?
ROBERT Dead. All of them—dead.
SCARLET All their animals, too.
[SFX: Footsteps on dirt.]
ROBERT The mark—it's for the Grave Pestilence.
SCARLET I thought it was only in Wynhold.
ROBERT It was. Now it's to Bellar. And soon—everywhere.
[Music: "The Deep God" ends.]
CLOSING CREDITS
[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. Sanavran speech by Megan Watson. 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 bearing 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. Special thank you to our patrons: Ben Blair, Cassie M, Cloudy Evalage, John Doyle, Jon Winstead, Ryan Cushman, Zane Simon. 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 Hi everybody, this is Kurt, or Rubbish Log, however you like to call me. I am amorphous in that way. First of all, I want to thank you all so much. We were nominated for a lot of different categories for the Audioverse Awards. I see us up for several performances, for audio design and related categories. I couldn’t be happier to see so many of our crew’s names up there. Stephen Cumberworth for Villadius, Bonnie Bogovich as Bri, Corey Borchers as Tarúk, George Miller Hoctor as the Narrator, Abigail Turner as Myrtle. Best Instrumental Composition for Adam Halpin for The Call of the Flame’s theme, thank you so much for that one. And for myself, Kurt Peterson, you see me for Best Writing in an Audio Play Production with Nadia, my co-writer and sister, Best Environmental Sound Design, Best Sound Action Sound Design, and if this chapter isn’t a shoe-in for that, then I will have to take a long nap. Not like a euphemism for anything, but like, you know, for my personal health and whatnot. And, of course, Best Audio Play Production in general. The deadline is October 31st. Go out and vote before you go trick-or-treating. Definitely give us a vote and share us around. I’ll be plugging this like crazy on Twitter. And second thing, I’ll be appearing on an episode of Personalized. It’s an upcoming podcast that does a lot of interviews, and on it, we talk about writing, and Game of Thrones, and video games, and the future of The Call of the Flame, and what I have in store for that. As well, we touch on my internet roots in machinima, that’s where I got my start. But hey, thank you all so much, check both of those things out, give us a vote, and I will let the award nominated voice of Hoctor take it away.
NARRATOR This has been a Rubbish Log Production. I am your narrator, George Hoctor. We thank you all for listening.