The Dragon Slayer (Scene 4-6)

Scene 4 - A small gift

Aidan and Ayame walk to the tavern in the moonlight along empty alleyways. CRYSTAL appears from a doorway with two men, their hoods concealing their faces. Aidan smiles and goes to embrace her whilst Ayame hangs back.

Crystal:

Aidan, my love, might I speak with you for a moment?

Aidan:

Crystal, my dear. Ayame and I are going for a drink.

Crystal:

(Wrapping her arms around his neck.) I have missed you, my love. Won't you come speak with me?

Aidan:

Why don't you join us?

Crystal:

I was thinking more of a private conversation.

Aidan:

Of course, my sweet.

Crystal:

(Whispering in his ear and turning his body away from Ayame.)I hear that you've just attended a feast at Sir Walt's keep. And the king's cousin was there.

Aidan:

The company was rather dull, my sweet.

CRYSTAL:

I should think so. The rich hate us poor folk. They only tolerate us because we do everything for them. I'm only sorry that you had to spend an entire evening with those insufferable people.

Ayame:

(Stepping forward.)Be careful, Crystal. What you are saying is treason.

Crystal:

And what would you know of the suffering of which I speak? You who had everything and chose to leave it. (Ayame looks shocked and angry.) Oh yes, my love told me all about your little secret. You think you're one of us but you're not. You're not one of them either. You are nothing.

Ayame:

How dare you say such things. Aidan, let's go.

Crystal:

(Quickly.) My love, I beg you, stay a while with me. We have so much to speak of.

Aidan:

(Apologetic.) I'll see you later, Ayame. Save a few rounds for me, won't you?

Ayame:

Aidan!

Aidan and Crystal walk off into the shadows, the two men following after a distance, leaving Ayame alone. She walks back to the tavern along empty streets but stops when she sees an old WOMAN sat shaking and coughing in the middle of the road.

Ayame:

Is all well, madam?

Woman:

There's no need for you to worry yourself with an old woman such as me. Go, be on your way.

Ayame:

Are you sure I can't be of service?

Thunder rumbles.

Woman:

Well, you could get me to my house. It is just around the corner.

Ayame supports the woman out of the rain and into a small dimly lit hovel. There is a table in the center of the room with a small pack of cards, a cup of water and a small dagger on it, with two chairs. The fire warms the room.

Woman:

Thank you, child. How about a free reading for your kindness? (Ayame hesitates.) You have a great sense of destiny about you, child.

Ayame sits in the chair and the woman sits in the other as she holds her hand out for Ayame's. She cuts a small thin line on Ayame's palm and squeezes a few drops into the clear water, swirling it. They change into shapes as she reads them.

Woman:

I see much pain in you, child. You fear that you have abandoned your family and that they will abandon you.

Ayame:

(Interrupting.) I don't...

Woman:

Quiet. I can see things that even you don't know about yourself. (Looks back into the cup.) There is great peril in your future. ( The drops merge to form a skull and the woman throws the cup into the fire. The flame roars into a dragon shape.) Death will follow you.

Ayame:

(Scared.) That's not certain, is it? Wise Woman, tell me that it's not certain?

Woman:

(Comforting.) Death follows us all child, and not all is bad. But I cannot see past so much death in your future. I sense that you have the courage to face such dangers as the Gods have laid out for you, child. Now, pick three cards. (Ayame chooses three cards from the pack and the woman turns the first one over.) The Lord of Flame. You have lived a life of adventure and danger, but the choices that you have made have not always been those that were expected by others. (She turns the second card over.) The Queen of Swords. You have great courage, such that is not common in one so young. But there is sorrow and fear in your heart that holds you back. (She turns the third card.) The Hanged Man. You shall undergo a great transformation and there is great sacrifice in your future. (She stands and walks to a small box in the corner of the room. There is a small necklace in her hand when she returns to the table.) You shall need great courage to face what is to come. Let this pendant guide you through what the Gods have planned for your future. (Ayame takes it and puts it around her neck.) And you must learn to love and to trust. Go to the window and take what is in the basket. It will help you, if you allow it.

Ayame walks to the basket and looks at the sleeping CASPER. When she turns back to the room, the woman and her table are gone. Thunder sounds outside and the rain comes down heavily. Ayame holds Casper tightly to her and runs back to the tavern. The tavern is almost empty, but for a few men passed out on the tables. Stouch stops wiping down the surfaces and runs to her when she enters.

Stouch:

I tried to stop him, Ayame, I really tried.

Ayame:

Who?

Stouch:

A hooded man with a sword went to your room. He gave me a bag of gold for my silence.

Ayame:

Did you see his face?

Stouch:

(Thinking.) I caught a glimpse of his hair. It was red, not unlike yours.

Ayame:

Thank you, Stouch. Keep quiet about this, if you please. (She turns to the stairs.) Oh, and bring a bottle of your best wine.

Stouch:

Of course.

Ayame goes to her small, sparsely furnished room and finds Richard stood looking out the window, hidden from the outside by his hood and the crimson curtains. She closes the door softly and lays the child on the bed. She pulls off her soaked cloak and stands next to her brother.

Ayame:

I hadn't expected you, brother.

Richard:

I have a confession, sister, one that I did not wish to say at the keep. The walls have ears, even here, but this is safer than amongst the serpents of court.

Ayame:

Of course, but keep your voice down if you please. The boy's asleep.

RICHARD:

Boy?

Ayame:

My ward, Casper.

Richard:

(Shocked.) Is he yours?

Ayame:

Not by birth, but I shall raise him as if he were.

Richard:

I never thought of you as the nurturing type, sister.

Ayame:

(Sighs.) A Wise Woman just gave him to me. She says that he will help me, somehow.

Stouch knocks on the door and enters, bringing wine and two goblets before he leaves. Richard sits on the bed, finally removing his hood, looking at the sleeping Casper as Ayame pours the wine before sitting next to him.

Richard:

These past few years have been hard, sister. No matter where we turn there are people plotting against His Grace.

Ayame:

I thought that was commonplace at court?

Richard:

(His words come out in a rush as he paces the room.) It is, but it has grown worse. No one is at ease. Our dear cousin the king has made me commander of spies. I'm the only one who knows the names, locations and tasks of each of my agents. Without me the whole operation would erupt. I have grown mistrustful and as such I sent a man to follow you home, in case anything should happen to you. He returned not long after, saying that a few of the rebels had been seen with you and your partner. I was worried and so I came here, to make sure that you were safe.

Ayame:

(Nodding slowly.) Aidan plans on asking Crystal to marry him. (Speaking quicker, worried.) She speaks treason but I don't believe that such words will poison him.

Richard:

(Clearing his throat.) It is surprising at how foolish men can be around women, sister. (Pause. Richard gets down on his knees and holds her hands in his, looking into her eyes.) Sweet little sister, you know that I would never ask anything of you unless it were absolutely necessary?

Ayame:

I know.

Richard:

Your skill as a dragon slayer is famed throughout the land, even beyond the seas. Of all the infamous dragon slayers there are in the world, you and your partner are the most known. Women sleep easy knowing you are out there, children dream of following your footsteps. And my men respect anyone with as perfect aim as yours is said to be. What I'm asking of you is dangerous, and I am ashamed of even thinking of it. (Grabs his cloak and stands to leave.)

Ayame:

You want me to fight your war with you?

Richard:

(Pauses at the door.) In a word.

Ayame:

Richard, you're my brother. And it's not as if I've never known such danger. Of course I shall do it, but I have a few conditions.

Richard:

Name them, sister, and I shall do my best to comply.

Ayame:

I must be allowed to keep Casper as my ward. He's my child now and I don't want to lose him.

RICHARD:

Of course.

Ayame:

I must not have to parade around in those ridiculous gowns that are so fashionable at the moment. I will wear a skirt over my trousers if I must but I refuse to be put in a corset. And thirdly, I shall not be forced to marry. If I chose to then I shall eventually marry whom I wish but I will not do it only to advance my family. Am I clear?

Richard:

Sister, it shall be done.

They seal the deal with a drink as lightening brightens the room.

Scene 5 - A new life

The servants and grooms run around packing up for the courtiers. Richard, holding Casper, and Ayame watch the proceedings with Annette, Bernard and MARLINE. Aidan marches toward them and Ayame steps away from the group.

aidan:

(Angry.) Were you planning on saying farewell?

Ayame:

(Quieter, looking nervously over her shoulder at the lords and ladies.) You left with Crystal, when would have I have had time to see you?

Aidan:

You were supposed to wait for me last night.

Ayame:

I was busy. I had to pack.

Aidan:

So you're really going.

Ayame:

Aidan, we talked about this.

Aidan:

Yeah, but I didn't think you'd really do it.

Ayame:

I have to do what's right for my family, Aidan. And for me.

Aidan:

We're partners. Did you ever think how I felt about this?

Ayame:

You agreed last night.

Aidan:

I was drunk last night. If I had not been then I would never have agreed to give up what we have.

Ayame:

You want to marry Crystal and start a family. You can do that at the same time. But I want a family again too, Aidan. And I can't do that if we're forever out fighting dragons.

Aidan:

Yes you can.

Ayame:

No, Aidan. I can't. It's time to face the truth. I need to go back to the life that I was born to and you can finally go spend your life with Crystal. I won't get in your way.

Aidan:

I don't want that. Please, Ayame, stay.

Richard moves closer when Aidan holds onto Ayame's arm. She pulls away. The courtiers begin to whisper. Ayame takes a crying Casper from Richard.

Richard:

Is everything well, sister?

Ayame:

(She and Richard turn to go.) Yes, perfectly fine.

Aidan:

Ayame, don't go.

Ayame:

It's decided, Aidan. If you truly have any regard for me then you will let me start my life again.

A pair of grooms bring two horses over to them. Richard mounts and takes a now smiling Casper from Ayame before trotting off after the wagons of baggage and carriages. Ayame mounts last and waits with Aidan as the group begins to move out of the keep.

Ayame:

I hope she brings you every happiness Aidan, I truly do.

Aidan watches as she rides after her brother.

Ayame:

Where's Casper?

Richard:

I gave him to Annette and Marline. It's a four day ride and he'll be more comfortable in the carriage. (Pause) Are you sure you want to do this?

Ayame:

I lost my family once, Richard. I won't do that again.

Richard:

You never lost us; you are still my sister. I don't want to force you into this.

Ayame:

I would rather fight for my king than fight for gold.

Richard smiles as Ayame rides to the carriage to see Casper clapping and laughing with the ladies as they give him attention. He smiles  and claps his hands when he sees Ayame.

Annette:

He's a charming little boy, my dear.  He reminds me of my youngest, my little Percival, when he was small.

Ayame:

I was very lucky to find him.


SCENE 6 - Capitash

King MYRON listens to petitions in the great hall of Capitash. The room is filled with courtiers and petitioners and Myron begins to get bored. Richard, Walt, Marline, Bernard, Annette, Ayame and Casper slip into the room in the back. Myron spots the group and stands, smiling. The guards usher the petitioners out of the room as the courtiers turn to face the group.

Myron:

We do believe that Our cousin has returned with guests!

Richard:

(Bowing.) Your Grace, I believe that you know Lord Bernard and Lady Annette. (The pair bow.) May I present Sir Walt of Pebume and his daughter, Lady Marline. (They bow.) And, finally, I present my long lost sister, Lady Ayame and her ward, Casper. (Ayame curtsies.)

Myron:

This cannot be Our cousin! She is much too thin! (Holding his round stomach and laughing.)

Richard:

It has been nine years, Your Grace, but it is she.

Myron:

Our dear cousin, you have grown! You look just like your mother. Come, there is much to speak of, cousins. We shall continue in the gardens.

The courtiers bow low as Myron, Richard, Ayame and Casper exit to the gardens. Two guards follow after a distance.

Myron:

I hear, cousin, that you have become an infamous dragon slayer over the years.

Ayame:

I have, Your Grace.

Myron:

My dear, you need not call me Your Grace in private! We are cousins! Now, you must have many stories to tell?

Ayame:

I have a few, Your... Cousin. (Myron chuckles.)

Richard:

(Serious.) Ayame has retired in order that she may come home, Myron.

Myron:

Splendid, Splendid! Now, please, take a moment to admire my wife's beautiful roses! Sylvia has such sweet perfume made of their petals.

Ayame:

(Insistent.)Cousin, I've heard talk of rebellion. I ask your permission to join my brother against them.

Myron:

We shall see. This rebellion is just rumour as yet. If it develops then I shall consider your offer, my dear.

Richard:

Myron, it's not just a rumour any longer. My agents have all reported so. We must begin to prepare for war.

Myron:

You're sure?

Richard:

I am certain. There is a woman by the name of Crystal that spreads the rebel ideas, Lord Clancy's own sister. And every account has confirmed that Hewitt has joined them. He knows our methods; he's helped to train our soldiers, Myron!

The group quieten when Casper runs up to them proudly with a butterfly in his hands.

Casper:

Look! Look!

Ayame:

It's beautiful, darling.

Casper runs off proudly toward the fountain at the end of the path. Ayame watches him nervously.

Myron:

Ayame, you say that you want to help. You will travel with us to Moulish. It is a stronger fortress than this one, about a week's travel. Richard, make sure that every courtier and servant is ready to leave, no one is to return to their homes. If there is a spy in our midst I want them with us rather than giving them free reign to speak with our enemy. Send word to Eric to mobilise the army.

Richard:

Your Grace, it may be best if the army does not move. The banners may be called later, we are getting more soldiers each day voluntarily. There may be less support if war is openly announced. Give me more time; we don't know the exact skill or size of the enemy. Our actions could well cause Clancy's ranks to swell.

Myron:

Do what you think best, cousin. But We still want everyone at Moulish. Tomorrow.

Richard:

It shall be done, Your Grace. (Bowing.)