SOLDIER: Your grace. Sir Leonar has arrived!
RONWEY: Leonar? Here? Perhaps there is yet hope.
[Leonar enters cooly.]
LEONAR: Your grace, my humblest apologies for not coming sooner. Not hanging from the parapets yet, I see.
RONWEY: No, good friend. But that rebellious upstart would be the first to see me so, no doubt.
LEONAR: If he fails, the Bakram will have their chance soon enough. Rhime has fallen.
RONWEY: What!?
[Leonar draws out a blade and kills the messenger. He turns to Ronwey.]
RONWEY: Leonar!? But...why?
[Leonar slowly advances.]
LEONAR: Your grace bears too great a burden. Let me lighten your load.
[Meanwhile, Denam and Catiua speak to their followers about how best to proceed with overtaking Almorica.]
DENAM: Listen well. I want no needless bloodshed. Make a path out of the castle, and drive out those who resist.
SOLDIER: Sir!
[Leonar joins them as the messenger speeds away.]
DENAM: Sir Leonar! What of the duke?
LEONAR: All went according to plan, thanks to your effort.
DENAM: Then the duke is no more.
LEONAR: Yes.... And all that remains is for you to join him!
[He lunges forward but Denam barely escapes his blade and falls to the ground. Catiua ducks away.]
DENAM: What!? What are you doing!?
LEONAR: Something that would have been impossible were it not for you. You die, taking responsibility for both the revolt and the death of the duke, and the Resistance rallies to me. Truly, you have my undying gratitude, Denam.
DENAM: You really think my death will accomplish so much?
LEONAR: How could it not? Death is the ultimate absolution, and you have much to atone for - Mostly my sins, but no matter. You've played your role. Rest, your days of sacrificing heart and soul to the Resistance are over.
CATIUA: Venomed words - don't listen to him! It's as Vyce said. Leonar and the duke are the same: Men, drunk on power!
LEONAR: Respect, please! I am twice the man he was.
CATIUA: Rise, Denam! This is not your place to die! I...I forbid it!
LEONAR: I am sorry.... You will live on in my heart.
[An arrow looses from out of nowhere and strikes Leonar back. Vyce and Arycelle stand atop the walls of the great hall.]
VYCE: Stand and fight, Denam! Have you forgotten your promise!
LEONAR: You, Vyce? What are you doing here? Ah, I see. Old friends reunited. Very well. You can die together!
[Denam, Catiua, Vyce and Arycelle surround Leonar.]
LEONAR: Now to restore the Resistance. Raise your sword, Denam!
VYCE: I thought you different from all the rest, Leonar. But you love the nobility as much as they love themselves.
LEONAR: If the nobility can provice a fairer rule, then they have my devotion.
VYCE: A fairer rule under the same despots? You dream if you think the nobles will serve as their own headsmen!
LEONAR: You mistake me, Vyce. If a man wants power, he must claim it for himself. No noble will do that for him, true. Yet most commons wait for such a man, a savior to put things to rights. Whence this savior, then? Why not people like you - like me - the few who take up the sword to better their lot in life. They can be the next nobility, shepherds to the rest. And where the wrong in that? I know you desire change, but such is forged slowly, link by link, not made whole in the span of a night.
[Leonar tangles with Vyce and Arycelle, giving Denam a moment's rest.]
DENAM: Vyce, Arycelle...thank you.
VYCE: Our paths crossed by chance. That's all.
ARYCELLE: Fortunate for you that an even greater menace faces us both. I sheathe my hatred of you for the sake of the people, for now. Do not expect to find me so charitable next we meet.
DENAM: Be that as it may, I still thank you.
[He rushes to help Vyce, who is still embattled with Leonar.]
VYCE: You talk much of power, but what of honor? What possible claim to virtue could you make over Denam's disgraced corpse!
LEONAR: I fear you lack sufficient dedication to understand. It is my dedication to a cause that trumps all such fleeting considerations. The man who wallows in sentiment accomplishes nothing. That is what it means to bloody your hands, boy!
VYCE: You forget whose blood it is!
[Denam reaches Leonar's back, where they all find weapons hot.]
DENAM: Leonar, put away your weapon! I do not wish to fight!
LEONAR: Still clinging to some hope of reconciliation, you simpering waif? Know I will strike without hesitation! If you wish to live, if you wish to change this world on your own terms, then slay me! Fail, and only the worms will remember you.
DENAM: You leave me no choice!
[Denam delivers a stirring blow against his former friend and ally.]
LEONAR: It's over. Well fought, Denam. Go on, finish it. Tell our people.... Tell them this: It was my scheming brought us here.
DENAM: Did you intend this all along?
LEONAR: Either death, yours or mine, serves to unite the Resistance. Though in truth, I had much rather it been yours. Ha. We harbor none of Vyce's nobles or their pets now, do we? The New Walister Alliance will...will join you. Welcome them. My eyes...grow dark. My limbs numb. All rests on you now. You have the strength.... You have the strength.
|
沒有留言 :
張貼留言