The Unnamed Saga: The Four Thrones, Chapter Ten: "The Long Road"

Chapter Ten: The Long Road

Open on the party walking the cavern.  Elsea leads with a sky-blue flame writhing in her palm, Zara trailing close behind her.  Glenn walks at the center with Zelos at his side and Mary carrying her own red flame at the rear.  Together, the two lights illuminate the surrounding area.

Show Zara looking about anxiously, clinging to Elsea’s cloak.

Zelos smiles back at Mary.

Zelos: "Magical torches!  Ha!  Being a magician must be so convenient."

 

Mary: "Certainly so, it does have its advantages, though there remains a fair share of difficulties involved, as well."

 

Zelos: "Such as?"

 

Mary: "Many think magic is a gift simply innate, but that is untrue.  As with any skill, magic is something that must be learned, cultivated through many long years of study and practice."

 

Zelos: "But most people can't use magic, so there must be some part of it that must be inborn."

 

Mary: "Never did I say or imply that it wasn't present from birth.  It most certainly is, but how does that distinguish it from anything else?  Everyone is born under a special star.  Some are born with keen eyes.  Others with beautiful voices.  Whatever gifts given are rendered without worth if left uncultivated.  An example: Your brother, Metis, was born with the gift of magic, yet he spent many years away from home, studying his craft before he could be considered an expert.  Your brother Kratos was the very same when it came to his archery.  There is no luck in this world, only those willing to work and those unwilling."

 

Zelos: "Still, the things you can do once you put that work in are amazing.  Like those magical torches in your palm, and they don’t need tender but still burn forever.”

 

Mary: "Another false assumption as well, my naive little pumpkin.  These flames are draining our own energy and will dim as we do.  Fortunately for you three, the Lady Elsea and I are true masters of these arts, and we would reach Silvara herself long before these flames tire either of us.  Is that not so, Lady Elsea?"

 

Elsea: "I wouldn't go that far, Miss Mary."

 

Zara: "Oh, you don't need to be so modest, Elsea.  You've worked hard to become as skilled as you are.  You should be proud of it."

 

Elsea blushes.

Elsea: "Thank you, m'lady."

 

Mary: "All of that said, there are many other things that you have left unconsidered."

 

Zelos: "Such as?"

 

Mary: "Such as the uses that monarchs get out of magicians such as myself.  Oft times those displaying magical abilities are left little choice of profession.  Instead, they are sent off immediately to the Academy to master their gifts so that they might be of service to the ruling government.  Even your brother, a prince himself, was not spared such a fate."

 

Zelos: "Maybe, but at least that gives you purpose.  Some people don't even have that much."

 

Mary: "Perhaps, but that purpose is not our own.  Magicians are frequently seen as tools and used toward ambitions that might repulse us."

 

Zelos: "What do you mean?"

 

Mary: "Magical warfare is a prime example.  A properly trained line of magicians can raze an entire village before its inhabitants even have time to draw their blades."

 

Zelos: "Like Emeraldine."

 

Mary: "Precisely, but there is more than even that.  To use magic is to grab the very fabric of space and time and bend it to your will.  Magicians are, at times, asked to take natural things and distort them, to create abominations that should not have even been imagined.  In point of fact, there have been stories of such creatures being loosed in these very tunnels."

 

Zara: "There...are...?"

 

Mary: "Many.  An example: serpent without eyes what turn you to stone with only a single gaze."

 

Glenn: "They gaze without eyes?”

 

Mary: "That is the question, is it not? Also, there are stories of three-headed hounds with flames of pure crimson what roll from their meaty jowls.  Or birds, the size of men, covered in plums of electricity what incinerate any they come upon."

 

Zara shudders, while Zelos is put off.  Glenn walks with his hand at rest on his sword hilt.

 

Mary: "Most frightening are the stories of the shadow men, what watch from the darkness and slip into your shadows.  Then, they grab you by the heel and drag you to the nether realms with a sharp yank."

 

Zara: "And you didn't think to warn us beforehand of such atrocious beasts?"

 

Mary: "Worry not, princess, these creatures are simple myths meant only to frighten away those too dim or ignorant."

 

Zara: "S-Surely."

 

-The Four Thrones-

 

Cut to the Black Castle by night, the Black City stretching out around it, surrounding the castle walls on all sides save for the area open to the sea.  A handful of lanterns stick out in the darkness.  The sky is overcast.

Show the moon peeking through the thick, dark clouds.

Show the Black Castle’s exterior, windows peeking into the dimly lit interiors.

Show the Black Castle’s interior, illuminated only by faint moonlight.

The interior brightens as the clouds drift by.

Show another hallway within the Black Castle, downstairs, the Head Steward walking the halls with a candle in hand.

The Head Steward passes two guards who greet him with smiles.

Show the Head Steward locking the front door in the foyer, a cloaked figure watching him from the top of the staircase.

Show the Head Steward leave, the cloaked figure descending the stairs to follow him.

Show the Head Steward entering his room with the cloaked figure watching from the end of the hall.

Show Eros waiting in the Head Steward’s room, dressed in a fine vest, head resting on his fist.

The Head Steward releases a gasp while clutching his chest.

 

Steward: “Oh my word, prince Eros! You gave me quite the start.”

 

Eros stands and they shake hands.

Eros: “I don’t mean to scare you.  I just want to be discreet.  You never know who is watching here.”

 

Steward: “How do you mean, my prince?”

 

Eros: “Never mind, it’s a subject better left silent.  Come in and close the door behind you so that we can have at least a little privacy.”

 

Steward: “O-Of course.”

The Head Steward sets the candle on the table beside Eros.

The Head Steward cuts across the room to a jug and two glasses.

Steward: “Would you care for a drink, my prince?”

 

Eros: “Please.”

 

The Head Steward pours two drinks.

The Head Steward hands off Eros’ drink at the table.

Eros smells his drink, grimacing, while the Head Steward downs his.

The Head Steward pours another drink.

Steward: “Not to overstep my rights, prince, but why do you visit me so late at night?”

 

Eros: “Let me start by saying that none may know of this meeting.  It is between us only.”

 

Steward: “Why ever not?”

 

Eros: “Because I have questions.  Questions which might bring trouble.”

 

Steward: “I am afraid I do not follow, my lord.”

 

Eros looks from side to side.

He locks the door.

Eros: “And you don’t need to.  All you need to do is listen and answer.”

 

Steward: “I see.”

The Head Steward eyes his glass.

The Head Steward downs the drink again.

Steward: “What questions do you have?”

 

Eros: “You know all that happens within the castle walls, don’t you?’

 

The Head Steward smiles while setting his glass to the side.

Steward: “Of course, it is one of the reasons your father made me head steward!”

The Head Steward stares ahead sadly.

Steward: “May he rest peacefully.”

 

Eros: “May he.  Now then, do you know of a delivery made to the castle dock recently?”

 

The Head Steward looks shocked and frightened.

Steward: “My prince, I must apologize but I haven’t any idea of what you mention.”

 

Eros: “I don’t believe you.”

 

Steward: “Prince Eros, this subject is…best left alone.”

 

Eros: “Why?”

 

Steward: “I am afraid I have been ordered to the strictest silence on the subject.”

 

Eros: “By whom?”

 

Steward: “My prince…”

 

Eros: “I demand an answer from you, steward.  Bear in mind who you are speaking to.”

 

The Head Steward shifts in his seat, reaching for his glass.

The Head Steward leaves the glass alone, looking away in guilt.

Steward: “If you insist. It was your brother, prince Metis.”

 

Eros: “As I suspected.  What is he hiding?”

 

Steward: “Again, I must respectfully ask that you change…”

 

Eros: “I will not ask you again.”

 

Steward: “You must understand that such commands compromise me…”

 

Eros: “As does your unwillingness to cooperate, steward.  Disobeying direct commands from a prince—at this time the acting king, to be precise—has severe consequences.  Often fatal ones.”

 

Steward: “My prince, you wouldn’t…”

 

Eros: “I wouldn’t enjoy it.”

 

The Head Steward sighs while taking Eros’ drink.

The Head Steward downs Eros’ drink.

Steward: “The prince Metis ordered my silence because your late father—may he rest peacefully—did not approve of his activities.”

 

Eros: “You mean to say that father didn’t know.”

 

Steward: “No, not in the least.  Your brother hid it from even him, though he had been quite open and vocal about the idea of it.  Your father fought it from the start.”

 

Eros: “And Metis went ahead with the trade agreements.”

 

Steward: “So it would seem, my lord.”

 

Eros: “And how long has this gone on?”

 

Steward: “For nearly a year at least, I would say.  I first learned of it while walking the grounds.  It was late last autumn and winter’s chill was coming in.  I saw him out at the docks with Zion.  The ships had just come in, and your brother was directing them personally.  I approached out of concern, and he demanded I keep quiet about it.”

 

Eros: “And so you obeyed.”

 

Steward: “I had meant to tell your father, but your brother…He convinced me that it was for the good of our nation.  After that it slipped my mind, and only came back once you made mention of it.”

 

Eros: “I see.  Has he involved you at all?”

 

Steward: “Not at all, though I have come upon them more than once.”

 

Eros: “And yet you never took it to my father?”

 

Steward: “It never seemed a priority.”

 

Eros leans against the door while staring across the room at the Head Steward, who turns the glass around in his hands.

 

Eros: “Who exactly is he trading with?”

 

Steward: “From what I can remember they are hunters from the land of dragons, from across the sea.  Your father called them savages and thought they were unfit to walk our lands.  How he would have reacted if he only knew…”

 

Eros: “I am inclined to agree with his assertion.”

 

Steward: “Of course, my prince.”

 

Eros: “Do you happen to know what it is that they are trading?”

 

Steward: “No, but I can tell you that the shipments are consistent.  They come once every few months and always bring large boxes.”

 

Eros: “How in the world has he kept it hidden for so long?”

 

Steward: “The shipments are never here for long.  He has them carried off almost immediately, most likely for storage.”

 

Eros: “Or use.”

 

Steward: “Perhaps.”

 

Eros: “I see.  Well, that is enough for now.” 

Eros stands at the doorway.

Eros: “Before I go, I must thank you.  You have always been loyal to my father, and to the crown as a whole.”

 

Steward: “It is my pleasure.”

 

Eros: “This conversation never happened.”

 

Steward: “I will drink enough tonight to make that a truth.”

 

Eros laughs.

Eros: “Thank you.”

 

Steward: “My prince, before you go…”

 

Eros: “Yes?”

 

Steward: “Do you think any of this is related to your father—to the king’s murder?”

 

Eros: “At this point I am uncertain.  I have my doubts, but even still, I find Metis’ games unbecoming.”

 

Steward: “I see.  Sleep well, then.”

 

Eros: “You as well.  And for safety, keep your door locked, would you.”

 

Steward: “Of course, my prince.”

 

Eros steps out into the hall and waits.  The door clicks locked behind him.

Eros checks the empty halls.

Eros departs into the darkened end of the hall.

Eros ascends the darkened staircase.

Show the cloaked figure step out of the shadows in the foyer, a thin shaft of light cutting through the darkness of the room.

Show the man’s face, hidden beneath the cloak—Zion—barely visible in the darkness.

 

-The Four Thrones-

 

Cut to cavern tunnel interior.  Stalactites hang high from the ceiling, water running down their rocky form.  The tunnel is empty, save for the small pinpricks of sky blue and red light.

Show the party walking across empty strips of earth held together by strips of wood and rope.  Zara looks frightened, clinging to Elsea’s cloak as she walks.

 

Zara: "How much longer must we waste in this despicable place?"

 

Elsea: "I'm not sure, but once we reach the otherside we will be back inside of Silvara."

 

Zara: "Yes, so Mary says, though I am beginning to doubt her judgment in this."

 

Elsea: "Why, m'lady?  She has yet to lead us astray."

 

Zara: "That we know of, and even were that true, that doesn't mean she wouldn't start.  I'm certain that she hadn't killed people until the day she started, either."

 

Elsea: "With all due respect, m'lady, I feel that you may be acting a bit irrational."

 

Zara: "And with all due respect, I feel that you are not being irrational enough!  We're stuck underground with a known murderer from a foreign nation and no witnesses.  In the dark, no less!"

 

Elsea: "But there are witnesses, m'lady."

 

Zara glances back and huffs.

Zara: "Please, Glenn and that brat of a prince are nothing but more bodies between her and us.  Their bones will be found a few feet from ours when future explorers excavate this damned place."

 

Elsea: "That is quite dark, m'lady."

 

Zelos: "One of us has to look in dark places if we're going to survive.  Still, I guess you have something of a point.  If she had any desire to kill us, then she would have done it long ago."

 

Elsea: "Exactly."

 

Zara: "Still don't like this place, though."

 

Elsea: "I'm sure we'll be through in short time."

 

Cut to Zelos and Glenn, walking side-by-side, Mary just behind them.  Zelos staggers while Glenn and Mary look worried.

Zelos falls to his knees, his left eye glowing a blinding gold.  The light continues to swell.  Glenn kneels beside him.

 

Glenn: "Zelos?"

 

Zelos: "My—Ah! My eye is burning!"

 

Glenn: "We should rest."

 

Zelos: "No, I can...Just keep going, okay?"

 

Glenn: "No, you need your rest."

 

Mary: "Think on that, sir knight."

 

Glenn: "What?"

 

Mary: "When last our prince found himself ill it was due to lingering magic in the air.  I had mentioned earlier the magical experiments done here, did I not?"

 

Glenn looks around at the cavern.

Glenn: "It's feeding."

 

Mary: "Exactly correct!  If we were to stay it would only serve to malign him.  A swift advance is the only cure."

 

Glenn: "Right."

Glenn slips his arm under Zelos and lifts him up.

 

Zelos: "I'm fine."

 

Glenn drags Zelos alongside him, the party moving more briskly.  Zara walks holding her cloak.  Mary lifts her skirt to ease movement.

Show the cavern top, the shadows of stalactites shift.

Show a pair of eyes in the darkness.

More eyes open, joining the first pair.

Return to Zelos and Glenn, the party surrounding them.  Zelos is staring into the darkness.

Zelos: "Mary..."

 

Mary: "Yes, pumpkin?"

 

Zelos: "You said that there was magic here, right?"

 

Mary: "I believe so, yes."

 

Zelos: "What sort of magic?"

 

Mary: "That would be a very complex and very long answer to give, and one best saved for another time, at that.  For now, try to breathe and focus on feeling better."

 

Zelos: "Please, I think it might help if you gave me something else to think about."

 

Mary: "Oh fine, if you do insist, then I will explain.  The types of magic found in this place are most likely of varied origin.  You see, magic is a curious thing.  Some places, by their very nature, possess so much magic that life cannot exist within their borders and whatever life can must take on strange and malevolent forms.  Yet, places entirely devoid of it are rendered more barren even than that.  This place, truth be told, was most likely closer to the latter than the former."

 

Zelos: "Then what happened to it?"

 

Mary: "Emeraldine was founded, the cave was cut out into a merchant's road.  Then the Royal Road was built, and Emeraldine destroyed, and the Academy was built nearby.  Needing a place to test magic that was safely away from Fionan cities but close enough to the enormous reservoir of ambient magical energy they chose the mine as much for convenience as seclusion."

 

Zelos: "And what did they do here?"

 

Mary: "Your guesses would be as good as mine.  The Academy was still quite small when I was incarcerated, and after that I wasn't in much of a position to ask on its progress."

 

Zelos: "I...see..."

 

Zelos, sweating profusely, collapses, hanging from Glenn, who stumbles to support him.  Mary rushes forward to catch him, her light dimming in the process.

Elsea and Zara return to help Zelos and Glenn.  The shadows above the party shift.

The shadows spread, enormous wings silhouetted in black.  An ear-splitting howl echoes.

Enormous bird-like creatures—Harpies—drop from the ceiling.

Elsea draws runes.

A sky-blue barrier knocks them away.

The Harpies return to their perches on the stalactites, hanging from them, illuminated by Elsea’s lingering magic.  Zara screams.

 

Zara: "What in the hells are those things?"

 

Mary: "Monsters, I would presume.  Be grateful that they are not of the tentacle variety.  Elsea, I will protect the princess.  You care for the prince."

 

Elsea: "Yes!"

Elsea takes Mary’s place, kneeling beside Zelos, while Mary steps into the fore.  Elsea feels Zelos’ forehead.  His eye continues to shine through his fingers.

Mary conjures a red flame in her palm, the runes on her body gleaming red.

 

Zara: "Those things were created by magic?"

 

Mary: "So it would seem.  What a wicked mind our prince Metis has."

 

Zelos screams behind Mary, Glenn holding Zelos’ head in place while Elsea writes runes upon his flesh.  The runes shine sky blue and cast colored light upon his flesh.

 

Glenn: "What's going on?"

 

Elsea: "The magic is building up again.  We need to find a way to alleviate it before—Please, let me see him."

 

The Harpies swoop down, their talons gleaming in the red light.

 

Mary: "There we are."

Mary extends her palm and ejects flames from her fingers.  An arc of red light cuts through the darkness.

A Harpy caught by the red light and is set aflame.  The other Harpies part, screeching.

Mary shoots another Harpy as they circle, and it explodes into fiery, feathery bits.

Elsea pulls Zelos onto her lap, holding him by the head and pressing her fingers to his temples. The runes upon his body shine brighter.

Light spreads across Zelos’ body and focuses around his eye.  The golden light in his left eye fades.

A Harpy strikes at Zara, raking its talons across her arm.  Zara screams as she recoils.

 

Elsea: "Princess!"

 

Elsea looks up and the magic fades around her.

A golden light erupts from Zelos’ eye, a surge of flame jets upward.

A Harpy is incinerated as it flies by.

The flame hits the cavern ceiling, the flames rolling around the stalactites.

The ceiling collapses, boulders crashing down around the party as the flames recede.

Mary uses magic to pull Elsea, Glenn, and Zelos to her.

Mary conjures a shield of red light around her.

The bridge of stones beneath their feet crumble as Zara scrambles for them.

Zara falls into the darkness before they can catch her.

Zelos leaps out after Zara.

 

Glenn: "Zelos!"

 

More rocks fall onto the party, obscuring the view of them.

Fade to black.

Chapter End.