40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqUWZt1nUuHer body spills into the room — falling forward face first — planking on the floor, landing with magical grace — almost like she's practiced
this move before. — No one laughs. Theron looks disturbed, glancing non-chalantly behind his desk. Archeus the scribe squints, staring at the two dysfunctionals, trying to understand what he's witnessing, then… gently turns back to Theron and continues his speech.
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Traeven kicks away from Kathryn's grip on his boots. She lies on her belly, smiling.
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Kathryn:
"Come here: hehe!"
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Traeven: (frustrated)
"I said go home!"
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In a flustered charge, Traeven looks up at Theron.
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Theron:
"What is it Traeven? It will have to wait."
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Traeven stomps forward, refusing to accept orders, and slams his hands on Theron's table.
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Traeven: (urgent)
"We have a problem…"
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Kathryn sits in an Indian style position, legs crossed and back straight, on the fancy red rug — She stares above her at the beautiful chandelier.
Theron sighs, looking up at Kathryn. Then back to Archeus. He presses his fingers to his nose, eyes squinted.
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Theron:
"The crop is stolen, we've lost dozens of men, maybe a hundred."
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Theron swallows, cringing.
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"The people want answers…
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(beat)
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‘…my plan is to find Metro, have him use the same magic that was used to grow both harvest. We find a new location… and try again. That's the best we can do for now."
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He glances at Archeus, then snaps his eyes to Traeven, pretending he isn't terrified of Hasans shadow creeping closer by the hour.
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Archeus steps forward, bows his head, voice trembling.
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Archeus: (voice low)
"My King… High Priest Zacharias has sent a letter to the High Judges, a warrant for conspiracy. Against Metro, soon the whole province will know his name."
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The room freezes. Even Kathryn lifts her head, knees on the floor, scooched up to the king's desk, chin resting on folded arms atop the massive oak wood surface. She's suddenly alert.
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Archeus:
"He's jealous, my lord… but I cannot stop him.
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(His voice shakes)
I was the one who sent the raven. I'm afraid we can't stop him. It's temple business, they believe Metro is a threat."
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Theron's composure snaps. He slams his fist hard on the desk.
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Boop!
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Theron:
"To HELL WITH ZACHARIAS!"
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Kathryn's face bounces off the table. She blinks, smiling, and confused.
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Kathryn: (calm)
"Oh."
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Theron ignores her entirely.
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Theron: (urgent)
"We'll intercept, send the first guard to Metro's cottage, if he's not there, head north on the highway for prison carriages."
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He looks and points sternly at one of the two guards by his doorway. One breaks off quickly exiting the office, closing the door shut behind him.
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All heads turn back to the table.
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Theron:
"This is urgent. If it goes through in time, we're saved."
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Theron nods trying to keep hope alive from within. Archeus leans in, one hand braced gently on the table. Traeven mirrors him, hands planted, tension thick.
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Archeus:
"I'm afraid that won't work…’
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(beat)
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‘…they have him already. He's being sent to the Great Hall as we speak. He should arrive by nightfall. Once they cross state lines… we cannot interfere."
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A long suffocating silence is felt in the dim office chamber.
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Kathryn burps.
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Archeus:
"Granted, Zaharias has taken extreme measures to buy us time…. but he should have spoken to the King first and foremost."
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Archeus gazes into the King's flamed expression, fear taking him captive.
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"I know what happened in your chamberroom that day. Everyone witnessed it. No one forgets a moment like that sir — These accusations against Metro are disgusting and completely unwarranted."
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He straightens, breath unsteady.
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Archeus:
"My advice to you… is to ask Hasan for another extension, buy us more time possibly…"
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Traeven stands there helpless, eyes flickering between them, waiting. Theron shakes his head.
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Theron:
"No, We've had too many seasons without paying tribute to Hasan. This might be it for us… unless we can stop the prison carriage, or find someone who can use Metro's gemed staff, maybe the overseers to the Castle fortress.
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Traeven slams both hands on the desk.
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Traeven:
"Thats our only option! The priest can't figure the staff out — they've tried, I've tried! It's useless unless we find him, or his friends.”
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He breaths hard.
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"As for Metro, he's a dead man."
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Theron and Archeus stare at him. Kathryn hiccups. Traeven pushes on, voice cracking with old fear.
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Traeven:
"I've worked in that sector of the city before — in the royal courts…’
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(Beat)
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‘…Hasan murders people just for the sake of inconveniencing him. He runs his entire empire through fear, force, intimidation.
Why do you think I settled here in this village?"
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(Another beat)
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If we don't cough up the goods, we'll all be slaves in a week, undoubtedly."
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Theron looks at his remaining guard, then at Archeus.
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Theron:
"Pull up the parchment with information regarding the overseer's addresses. Bring his friends here to me quickly."
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Archeus rummages through a filed cabinet, then turns swiftly, shaking the file staring at Theron one last time before exiting the door.
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The second king's guard follows.
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As Theron finishes speaking, the room is thick with dread. Kathryn hiccups again… then stops. Her eyes sharpen. The ridiculous glaze over her eyes evaporates. She looks slowly at Theron, then at Traeven —an unnerving clarity suddenly cutting through the room.
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No one speaks.
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Kathryn slowly pushes herself up from the desk, posture straightened, expression unreadable. Without a word, she turns and walks out of the office.
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The door shuts behind her.
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The silence she leaves behind is heavier than her presence ever was.
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