The Acension of Madness

Act One, Scene One

Actors are behind the wall, and concealed from the audience.

Christian: (yelling) Should we attack sir?

Warrior one: (loudly) I’m not quite certain how many are in front of us.

Christopher: (bellowing, cheerful) Non-sense, child, I once defeated an army of ten thousand men, this can be no worse.

Christian: (questioning) But you fought alongside seven thousand of your own, sir.

Warrior one: Aye, and we are but three.

Christopher: (euphoric) But we be not three lily-livered cowards, charge men! Let us run them down with our swords high and our bows twanging!

Actors race across from the wall and into the field of view of the audience. Warrior one is hit by an arrow and falls back behind the wall. Once warrior one is hit, Christopher and Christian drop to their bellies and begin crawling across the stage.

Christopher: (surprised) I should have thought of this, traps in a King’s palace are not so uncommon in this world.

Enemy one: (indignant) We are no traps you traitorous scum. Raise your hands behind your heads and walk slowly towards us if you wish to be spared.

Christian: (scared) What do we do?

Christopher: (thinking) Never fear, my good fellow. The great Christopher always has an idea in his bright head.

Christopher stuffs a knife into his sleeve before standing and waves his hands above his head in supposed surrender. Christian reluctantly follows suit. The two walk over to the wall and out of the sight of the audience.

Christian: (before he walks off-stage) This was your idea, Christopher?

Christopher: (happy with himself) Indeed, Christian, and a brilliant one too, I should say.

The two return to stage with Enemy one standing with a bow pointed at them.

Enemy one: Aye, and what a lovely surprise this is indeed. I believe good Eric would have settled for any mere rebel being caught in his castle, but the great Christopher, why he’ll be ecstatic when he sees I’ve caught you.

Christopher: I suppose you will get a promotion for bringing me in.

Enemy one: (absent-minded) Aye, and a jolly good one too.

Christopher: How unfortunate it is that history will forever know you by the rank you have now and no other.

Enemy one rises in agitation, but Christopher brings his hand down so fast that the knife concealed in his sleeve shoots out and kills Enemy one.

Christopher: (victorious, gleeful) On to the throne room now!

Scene Two

Eric is pacing in front of his throne. Enemy two is stationed directly in front of him. Eric is suddenly startled by a great clatter and Christopher yelling.

Eric: (hysterical and pointing to wall) Guard, please, defend me from that mad-man!

Enemy two: (bloodthirsty) Yes, sir!

Enemy two charges forward, but is killed an arrow. Christopher comes out from the wall and point his sword at Eric, whom is becoming very fearful, and mumbling to himself. Christian follows from behind, panting.

Christian: (panting, gasping for air) How can …. you … run … so fast?

Christopher: (prideful) With the people’s will in my heart, the rest of my body sees strength. Nothing shall tire me so long as the cheer of a nation powers my footsteps.

Eric: (sceptical) Good God man, you’re but a simple rebel.

Christopher lifts Eric by his shirt and hauls him up until they are face to face.

Christopher: (in an angry voice, but still smiling slightly) If I am but a mere rebel as you say, then why did I find the gates to your castle Rugenwalde open. It would seem this rebellion has grown so that even your highest walls and tallest towers of tyranny cannot withhold it any longer.

Eric: (gulping in fear) I was … betrayed!

Christopher: Aye, and it’s no different than when you betrayed your people by marrying that filthy English slug, Phillipa.

Christopher throws Eric, whom is screaming, over behind the wall, so that Eric is concealed from the audience.

Christopher: Forever shall history recall this day in the year of lord 1439, as the day Eric the Seventh met his just demise.

Christian: (shocked) Christopher, you can’t kill him, he’s unarmed.

Christopher: (stoic) Indeed, Christian, I can’t kill him for I wield a sword. Any blow by me would certainly have to be deliberate. But if an arrow struck him, it would be easy to say that it hit our poor Eric when his guards fought us, and that the arrow that killed him was meant for someone else. And since you wield the only bow between the two of us …

Christian: (reluctant) Christopher, I can’t, it’s not right.

Christopher: (angry at the delay) Look at whom I’m asking you to shoot, Christian. Is this whimpering whelp who starved the people, and killed his brother, and married enemy’s daughters for power any better? (puts his hand on Christian’s shoulder like an older sibling would) Do it, Christian, he doesn’t deserve any better.

Christian slowly and reluctantly lets back his bow string and fires. Eric dies.

Scene Three

Christian and Christopher stand behind the throne. They are chatting conversationally and occasionally laughing.

Christian: Do you really believe the Council of Nobles is going to allow you to become the king? You have no Noble House.

Christopher: (arrogant) One does not need to represent any House more noble than that of the people.

Christian: (sceptical) Is that what you said to the Council?

Christopher: (offended) Of course not, I'm not an idiot.

Christian: What did you say, Christopher?

Christopher: I told them that I'd personally gut them all if they didn’t let me take the throne.

Christopher takes his sword and swishes it around as if cutting off the nobles' heads. Christian puts his face in his hands and looks hopeless.

Christian: We’re doomed!

Christopher: By God, see the bright side of the day, Christian. Why, here comes the messenger to tell me of the Council's decision to make me king!

Messenger enters, stumbling and panting. He has come a far distance at the fastest possible speed.

Messenger: My lord, the Council of Nobles has decided upon Christopher’s request.

Christian: (sarcastic) Excellent, now we can all know that the noble’s officially hate us.

Christopher: (ignoring Christian) Did the nobles respond in writing or orally?

Messenger: Originally they were going to send the message in writing, but due to the fact that neither of you can read (winks at Christopher) they decided to trust my faithful tongue instead.

Christian: (becoming annoyed) Spit it out then!

Messenger: The Council of Nobles has decided to allow Christopher the throne of Denmark.

Christopher grins from ear to ear and Christian mouth gapes in utter shock.

Christopher: (delighted) For delivering such fair news sir, you shall never need to send messages again.

Messenger: Oh no, sir. I’m quite happy where I am. A messenger was my father, and his father, and his father and all the way back to the beginning of time, and a messenger am I.

Christopher: (thinking) Very, than you shall indeed be the first rich messenger this world has ever seen!

Messenger smiles and bows and exits.

Christopher: (gloating) Well, Christian, it seems you have underestimated the nobility of the nobles? Or was it my skills of diplomacy you undervalued?

Christian: I only underestimated the stupidity of the nobles, Christopher, nothing else.

Christopher: You know Christian, you shouldn’t address your king like that. I think “my liege”, or milord, or your majesty would be more appropriate.

Christian: Well if you can be king I think I should at least be made Baron, (makes and exaggerated bow) my liege.

Christopher: (pretending to be conceited) I’ll consider it.

Scene Four

Christopher stands in front of his throne, Christian behind and Bishop stands facing Christopher. They are in the middle of a coronation ceremony. Christopher kneels before Bishop, who puts the crown atop the head of Christopher. Christopher stands tall and proud. Bishop stands to the left side of Christopher and waves his arms in his direction.

Bishop: I hereby declare King Christopher the Third, ruler and God-chosen leader of this mighty Kingdom of Danes, on this day April ninth, 1440!

Christopher: My people, you have fought long and hard against tyranny, against hunger and famine, against disease and disaster. But now, finally, we can rejoice! We fight no longer, for now we are free! I wish you all to know that I will rule not only for myself as others before me have done, but instead every decision and challenge weighed by my heart shall be made with every man, women, and child in mind. Never again shall the people despair from the leadership of their king. Together we can show the world that nobility is not found in birth, but found in spirit. And the under the guidance of God, I know we shall find salvation.

Christian and Bishop kneel to Christopher. Christopher suddenly begins to grin.

Christopher: (rowdy) And now that that’s over with, it’s time to sample the new mead I got as a coronation present.

All actors cheer and follow Christopher off stage, laughing and making merriment.

Act Two, Scene Five

Christopher and Christian stand over a battle map, discussing battle strategies.

Christopher: Are you certain that he will attack from the east?

Christian: With certainty milord, Haakon has his strongest fleet of ships near these isles and the seas are known to treacherous on the west. So rather than sailing through the isles, he simply makes them sail around their eastern side.

Christopher: So we set up an ambush from this island here and when Haakon tries to land…

Messenger rushes onto the stage. He is much better dressed, but still panting from travelling great distances.

Messenger: (ominous) I bring most dire news, milord.

Christopher: (on edge) What is it?

Messenger: I come from the mainland, sire. The plague, it has, it has…

Christian: Oh God, no.

Christopher: (stone-faced, taking control) How long have you been travelling with this message?

Messenger: But one a half weeks milord, the seas have been faithful and calm, easy for water travel.

Christopher: That is what I feared. Send back a message to Arhus, tell the Baron Harald Svendsen that the King orders that the port be closed and no craft leave the shores of the mainland.

Messenger: Aye, sir. (exits running)

Christian: (concerned) Christopher, why are you blocking off the port?

Christopher: To stop the plague from spreading farther than it has by now.

Christian: But what of the fishermen and traders who depend on the sea-routes for their livelihood.

Christopher: I believe they will thank me for putting their lives before their livelihoods, Christian!

Christopher begins to walk off to his study, but Christian shouts at him and he stops dead in his tracks.

Christian: (loudly) Do not leave like a coward, Christopher. We must discuss this.

Christopher turns and walks quickly and angrily to where Christian stands.

Christopher: (angered, but hushed) If you want to discuss this, fine we shall discuss it, but not here. Every word you say against my in this throne room undermines my authority, Christian, do you understand?

Scene Six

Christian: Why are you closing the ports, Christopher?

Christopher: (annoyed) I told you already, it is to stop the spread of the plague.

Christian: (baffled) Everyone knows that the plague is sent from God to punish us for our sins, how can we defend against that? More to the point, those who God wishes to protect will be protected, you are forcing good, honest fisherman to starve, Christopher, what if God wanted them to live.

Christopher: (defeated, helpless) And what is your solution then, Christian?

Christian: A simple one, we must pray and prove that we are still faithful.

Christopher: (indignant) Pray! That’s your brilliant idea? How many times have idiots like you decided to pray instead of act in a disaster, hmm! Isn’t that whatOlaf did while his people starved of the worst famine in history. Is that not what the Saxons did before they were crushed by Willem the Conqueror? Is that not what Leif Ericson did before he was forced from Vinland by a horde of Skraelings that murdered his entire crew? Prayer is a coward’s last weapon and I’ll be damned before I beg to any God to fix my own troubles.

Christian: (in horror) But, this is treachery, blasphemy!

Christopher: The ports are only the beginning, Christian. Already I have dispatched my best ranks of knights to deal with this catastrophe.

Christian: (shocked) What are you going to do?

Christian turns to face Christian, his face is near madness at the choices he’s been forced to make.

Christopher: (looks out the window) I’m going to burn everything south of Arhus, Christian. Every farm, every city, every … corpse. Fire is the almighty cleanser, and it is time to clean this land.

Christian: You’re mad, how can you do such a thing?

Christopher: How can you stand by and do nothing?

Christian: (in sadness and rage, he screams) Because I have faith!

Christopher: (absent-minded) As do I (turns from the window and faces Christian again), just is something different. I’ve been reading some old Latin books that were brought to the Cathedral after the Viking’s conquered Luna. They have the strangest theories in them. Like that diseases can be spread from person to person when they are unclean. Fascinating, isn’t it.

Christian: No, it’s madness, Christopher. And since when can you read.

Christopher: I’ve been able to read since I left the estate.

Christian: (surprised) Estate!

Christopher: Stop acting so surprised, Christian. Do you really think the Council of Nobles would allow a commoner to sit atop the throne of Denmark?

Christian: (dropping to horrified whisper) What are you saying?

Christopher: (bellowing) What I’m saying is, that I never was the common man who rose above the tyrannical king after seeing a message from God as I led you and so many others to believe. I’m the last member of the House of Neumarkt. An old and forgotten House, true, but still, I am a noble. I could have become the next Count Palatine of Neumarkt long ago, but my father saw an opportunity to get back at the king and further his family. He dreamt of King Christopher the Third of Denmark, not simply Count Christopher.

Christian: So, this whole revolt was simply a way to get you to the throne.

Christopher: Yes, Christian, that is true. Now if you would leave me, I must return to my other subjects.

Christian: (full of hatred) I am no subject of yours!

With that, Christian leaps towards the wall and exits the stage, running. Warrior two enters.

Warrior two: Shall I follow him, milord.

Christopher: (shouting) No! Do not follow him. The people cannot know of this, they must have hope in this time of need, the people have been burdened with too much to have to hunt down one of their own. For now we wait and he shall come to us.

Scene Seven

Christopher is sitting by a fire drinking wine or mead from a delicately carved cup. He tilts his head to the left slightly and takes another sip.

Christopher: (absent-minded) Have you come to kill me, Christian.

Christian appears and walks on stage to stand behind Christopher. He loads and raises his bow.

Christian: Put your hands above your hand and turn around, and I shall make your death quick and painless as possible.

Christopher raises his arms and spins to face Christian.

Christian: (crying) I’m so sorry, Christopher. (pulls arrow back)

Christopher: No, Christian, I’m sorry.

Christian lowers his bow in surprise and in that moment Christopher brings down his right arm so quickly that a concealed knife shoots out of his sleeve and hits Christian. Christian falls to his knees. Christopher rushes towards him and catches Christian as he falls backwards.

Christopher: So, so sorry.

Christian moves his head back and dies. Christopher buries his face in Christian’s clothes and cries. Soon Warrior two comes into the room to see what the ruckus is about but stops dead in his tracks when he sees Christopher crying. Warrior two moves slowly over to Christopher and puts his hand on Christopher’s shoulders. Christopher looks up for a moment, but looks deeply in pain.

Christopher: (voice croaky with sorrow) What is it?

Warrior two: Apologies sir, but your ship is waiting to take you to Karnan Castile. It’s no longer safe for you here with the plague, sir.

Christopher: (still sobbing, trying to compose himself) Very well, I shall go. Have another guard take the body too, he must be given a burial.

Warrior two: (bowing his head) Very well, my lord, it will be done.

Christopher and Warrior two exit.

Scene Eight

Christopher stands in front of a grave that is filled with Christian. He has stains on his face that suggest much crying, but now he is stoic.

Christopher: So, Christian I hope you like this burial ground. It took all my kingly influence, but we found your parents and buried you next to them. (tears come down his cheeks) You know, the plague was just a scare, Christian. The whole thing died down so fast, it’s as if it never happened. And yet even though it spared so many, well, it still took the most out of my heart by claiming you, Christian. Your daughters have both been told their father died in the line of duty, no one will ever know differently. Perhaps … perhaps you were right, Christian. Maybe I should have never been king, maybe we never should have revolted. But we did what he both thought was right, and all along as history remembers that, than you and I will be heroes.

Christopher walks to the other side of the grave and picks up a shovel.

Christopher: (barely a whisper, with much sorrow) Good-bye old friend.

Christopher dumps a layer of dirt on Christian and walks away. The monk enters and the set changes, Christian is taken off the set. Monk is writing by his desk. Christopher enters and lands a pile of parchment on Monk’s desk.

Monk: (inquisitively) What is this my liege?

Christopher: It is the true story of how I got to the throne and of my ascension into the madness of this world. Use it well, and swear that you won’t speak of it until my and Christian’s bloodlines have long ceased.

Monk: That will be quite a while, don’t you think?

Christopher: I do not think that at all. Soon the people will grow restless again and throw their support behind another noble and depose me. Already the duke of Oldenburg grows more powerful by the day. It is funny how history is doomed to repeat itself. (absentmindedly) It’s really rather tragic.

Monk: (shaking head) Indeed this world is a mad place, sire.

Christopher: No my dear monk, the world is not crazy at all. It’s simply the people that fill it.

-Fin-

Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top