Claude Jeredine Deloh
Playwright
The Kingfisher's Dive
Dramatis Personae
Harunh
Bhim
Ghulan
Paramvinh
Lailahni
Angus
Caithens
Beatrix
the jesters three, the Clownery
Philipe , bastard brother to Mantegro, lieutenant of the Kingfishers.
Ardun, sergeant at arms of the Kingfishers.
Branco, company medicant.
Alehanis, praetor of Seax and leader of the Imperial Forces
Pirimdas, primus khashatrii under Alehanis.
An Old Man
The Heron Blade
Enter the troubles and tribulations of a nascent kingdom. Freshly formed from the fragments of a peoples, long grown tired of a distant master's yolk.
Rebels, brigands, outlaws, they were all branded, for they defied the rightful rule. So ordained and written into edict. So proclaimed by those Barons and March Lords still loyal to Arshakan vestige, so far and to the north as the valleys of Thalo, where green pastures bare much harvest, and the slumbering aurochs rests.
A king, chosen amongst the rabble of petty lords and pettier knights. But a mason by trade. No drop of noble blood in him, save that blood so willing to spill. For their cause. For their land. For the dream that would become, fair Altalusia.
So our tale begins. Amidst the great turmoil beset upon the land. Not by the king's side, no, but upon the field, before two souls, common as any other. Called to this king and his cause, perchance, called by the glitter of gold and the fame that could come, more like. Unwitting of all the great cruelties, and all the great jokes that would await them.
As the Kingfisher's Dive.
Mantegro - Tarry no longer, brother mine, for my blade seeks too eager its wicked work, my hand moved by the mere promise we might be free of this dreadful time.
Philipe - Calm thyself, brother! Steady thine hand! The iron storm approaches. Doth thou see it?
We cannot hope to withstand it, so fierce does it grow. But fret not! I have a plan.
Attend, we must, to the enemy within. Listen, they will, to you, oh brother mine. And if they do not...
Montegro - Then I cannot hold to any hope, save that iron mine own hand can hold.
Philipe - So quick to the iron, without one word yet told, less then those shared. Steady, I pray, steady, and stay that cold culling that comes so quick to thee. If not, as your wiser had begun-
Montegro - None the wiser then that night where in you found fire there below.
Philipe - You wound me.
Montegro - No more than you have wounded yourself, praying to skirts, and giving to cheeks that which-
Philipe - And even so! Dear brother, and still, I pray you pay your trust to me. For follies we both have a plenty, and virtues there too, however different they may be.
Montegro - Let there be no doubt of that.
Philipe - Never any doubt, fair Montegro, save that doubt you have in me.
Montegro - I meant no harm in it.
Philipe - Ah, but I did mean play in it. Come then, that we might discuss the storm to come, and how your virtue, and mine own cunning might save us all some woe.
Dramatis Personae
Reynald, first king of Altalusia
Ranhi, daughter of the kinggenerals of the king's army
Harunh
Bhim
march lords and petty barons
Delatreux
Ghulan
Paramvinh
Lailahni
wizards and witches
Sangsot Angus
Caithens
Beatrix
the jesters three, the Clownery
the mercenaries Kingfisher
Mantegro, captain of the Kingfishers.Philipe , bastard brother to Mantegro, lieutenant of the Kingfishers.
Ardun, sergeant at arms of the Kingfishers.
Branco, company medicant.
Alehanis, praetor of Seax and leader of the Imperial Forces
Pirimdas, primus khashatrii under Alehanis.
An Old Man
The Heron Blade
Prelude
Enter the troubles and tribulations of a nascent kingdom. Freshly formed from the fragments of a peoples, long grown tired of a distant master's yolk.
Rebels, brigands, outlaws, they were all branded, for they defied the rightful rule. So ordained and written into edict. So proclaimed by those Barons and March Lords still loyal to Arshakan vestige, so far and to the north as the valleys of Thalo, where green pastures bare much harvest, and the slumbering aurochs rests.
A king, chosen amongst the rabble of petty lords and pettier knights. But a mason by trade. No drop of noble blood in him, save that blood so willing to spill. For their cause. For their land. For the dream that would become, fair Altalusia.
So our tale begins. Amidst the great turmoil beset upon the land. Not by the king's side, no, but upon the field, before two souls, common as any other. Called to this king and his cause, perchance, called by the glitter of gold and the fame that could come, more like. Unwitting of all the great cruelties, and all the great jokes that would await them.
As the Kingfisher's Dive.
Act 1
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Scene 1
Bluster and Wind. Enter Mantegro with Philipe
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Scene 1
Bluster and Wind. Enter Mantegro with Philipe
Mantegro - Tarry no longer, brother mine, for my blade seeks too eager its wicked work, my hand moved by the mere promise we might be free of this dreadful time.
Philipe - Calm thyself, brother! Steady thine hand! The iron storm approaches. Doth thou see it?
We cannot hope to withstand it, so fierce does it grow. But fret not! I have a plan.
Attend, we must, to the enemy within. Listen, they will, to you, oh brother mine. And if they do not...
Montegro - Then I cannot hold to any hope, save that iron mine own hand can hold.
Philipe - So quick to the iron, without one word yet told, less then those shared. Steady, I pray, steady, and stay that cold culling that comes so quick to thee. If not, as your wiser had begun-
Montegro - None the wiser then that night where in you found fire there below.
Philipe - You wound me.
Montegro - No more than you have wounded yourself, praying to skirts, and giving to cheeks that which-
Philipe - And even so! Dear brother, and still, I pray you pay your trust to me. For follies we both have a plenty, and virtues there too, however different they may be.
Montegro - Let there be no doubt of that.
Philipe - Never any doubt, fair Montegro, save that doubt you have in me.
Montegro - I meant no harm in it.
Philipe - Ah, but I did mean play in it. Come then, that we might discuss the storm to come, and how your virtue, and mine own cunning might save us all some woe.