Celebration I - Draft

[aleteoryx]

Scene I

Throne Room

THE QUEEN sits atop her throne, looking tired and glum. About her, four members of the royal guard stand at attention, 2 on either side, armed with spears. The room is covered in intricate tapestries and many things are marked with a symbol composed of a hollow 7-pointed star, with a circle outlined inside, the royal mark.

A knock at the door. The Queen perks up.

THE QUEEN
Come in, come in.

The door opens, revealing THE VAGRANT, a lone figure dressed in a slate grey robe, splattered in a shimmering green fluid and in dried red blood. The Mage clutches, in one hand, a bag similarly splattered in green, and in the other a short stick, with streaks of burgundy light arcing across it.

It enters, letting the doors close, and approaches the throne. The guards ready their blades. The Queen, upon seeing it, appears outraged.

THE QUEEN
What sort of vagrant dares enter these halls of royalty, dirtied and bloodied, that they might belittle me by demanding I serve as audience? What could have possibly possessed my guards to give you passage to my throne? Speak your purpose at once, or face retribution.

THE VAGRANT
Your majesty, I come under your instruction of not ten months prior, when I elected to complete a task given to all the mages of the land.

THE QUEEN
Preposterous, my rule has no need for witchcraft and sorcery. Such dark arts make subject unruly. Have you come only to mock me with lies at the expense of the kingdom?

THE VAGRANT (retrieving an envelope from its pocket)
When I set out on my task, I was given by you this letter. I was told to give it back to you if you were to be unpersuaded by my presence.

The Vagrant slowly approaches The Queen. At once, the guards assume defensive positions, but are gestured back by The Queen. She takes the letter, and begins reading it. The Vagrant steps back, waiting. Silently, The Queen reads, her face turning from a scowl to abject sorrow. She begins to quietly weep over the letter, though it is not clear what it says.

THE QUEEN (setting the letter on her lap)
Allow me a moment to compose myself.

The Vagrant nods.

THE QUEEN
Have you killed it, then? Am I to assume that as the reason for my... lapse in memory?

THE VAGRANT
Yes, The God is no more. You are, as was commanded, free of its reign. I came as fast as I could upon beheading it, though the halls of its core are mazelike and ever-twisting, and my egress was slowed by many months. As commanded, I bring you its heart.

The Vagrant opens the bag, revealing a black sphere, continuously leaking a small trickle of shimmering green. The queen nods in response, and the vagrant rebags it.

THE QUEEN (gesturing to a guard)
Place it upon the central pedestal of the northern hall. Allow the bottom orifice to drain through the rear depression.

The guard takes the bagged heart and exits through the main doors of the throne room.

THE QUEEN
You then, traveller, are to return here at noon tomorrow. I have a great many things to tend to, as the woman acting in my absence has done a great many injustices.

THE VAGRANT
I understand, I shall take my leave. If I am required in the intervening hours, I may be found at my residence.

The Queen nods, and The Vagrant makes its way to the doors. As it leaves out them, The Queen interrupts.

THE QUEEN
And, traveller, thank you.

The Vagrant nods, and exits.