Scherezad
Lai Dai Research Spacelane Security
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Posted - 2013.03.26 02:37:00 -
[2] - Quote
[The Ballad of Amsten and Etee, (exerpt)]
[Act Three, Scene Two - "The Crush of Dreams and Ice"]
[LAKE TEKOJARVI, early morning, on the shore, amidst a copse of tamarack. ORTESAI AMSTEN and KIRJUUNEN enter, Lord Amsten mounted on his war horse, KEISA.]
LORD AMSTEN looks across the lake, which has the first cracklings of ice across the shore.
LORD AMSTEN: There it lies - O Tekojarvi. Such secrets you hold in your black belly.
KIRJUUN KAKKUN: What, lord? What do you see? There's nothing but mist - the sun has not yet risen.
LORD AMSTEN: I need no sunlight to see through the fog, brave Kakkun. No morning haze can hide this blazing vision.
KIRJUUN KAKKUN: What, lord? Do you see the army of Lord Etee?
LORD AMSTEN: I see them not, though I feel them close, beyond the trees.
KIRJUUN NISI: Do you see the ice, lord, that brings the slumber of earth and calls the end of war?
LORD AMSTEN: I see it not, wise Nisi.
KIRJUUN TANOI: It is the fishermen, lord? That set sail before the dawn casts out her rays?
LORD AMSTEN: No, light-hearted Tanoi. Though dawn may come and touch the rocks and trees, there is only night for us.
KIRJUUN KAKKUN: Tell us, lord, so that we may strike down this foe and bring the dawn.
LORD AMSTEN: Were it so simple. The spirit of Tekojarvi brings an ill wind to us, brave friends. Our path ahead is doomed, and yet our home behind is lost.
LORD AMSTEN: It is our deaths I see, noble warriors and kin of Amstatai. All who tread beyond these trees with me are lost. I would see no shame in any of you who would choose to leave me and find shelter in this foggy bay.
KIRJUUN TANOI: Never, lord!
KIRJUUN NISI: I shall shed my last drop of blood for you, lord!
KIRJUUN KAKKUN: Not even death will keep me from your side, lord!
LORD AMSTEN: Your words warm me, kirjuunen. Let us find rest together, and meet our ancestors as one. The whole lineage of Amstatai shall sleep together under the same sky, tonight, from its beginning to its end.
LORD AMSTEN draws his sword and holds it high. All others follow his lead.
LORD AMSTEN: We find our deaths together, Children of the Amaata! Let them sing of us when the stars themselves die!
KIRJUUNEN: Death! Glory! Together!
LORD AMSTEN: Forward now, to the black dawn!
[ALL EXEUNT] |