Part Five – The First Bit
The warehouse complex owned by Philippi. Otto and Antavay and their men are bunked down here.
Otto: Our wishes are fulfilled, Antavay. You guessed the enemy would stay up hive with the higher ground, and not come down to us. That's not the case. They've been spotted nearby. They are coming to attack us here at Philippi's. They've accepted our challenge before we've sent it.
Antavay: I can put myself in their shoes. I know why they're doing this. They don't want to be here. They'll come to us, full or bravado, hoping to trick us into thinking they're not afraid. But it's just an act.
(A Messenger enters)
Messenger: It's time, sirs. Our lookouts have spotted the enemy approaching. They're not even trying to sneak up. They're so confident, they're taunting us to come out and fight. Something needs to be done.
Antavay: Otto, take your men around the left side through the big warehouse.
Otto: I'm on the right. You take the left.
Antavay: Why are you arguing with me when the fight's about to start?
Otto: I'm not arguing with you. I've got the right.
(A horn sounds. Brutal, Carvus and their fighters appear. Louvir, Tytan, and Methra are also present.)
Brutal: They're here, and want to parley.
Carvus: Tytan, keep the men here. We'll go up and speak with them.
Otto: Merc Antavay, should we start shooting first?
Antavay: No, Sleazer. We'll let them fire the first shot. Let's go up. They want to exchange a few words.
Otto: Don't do anything until we give the signal.
Brutal: Words before blows, my neighbors?
Otto: Not that we prefer to talk, like you do.
Brutal: Good words are better than bad shots, Otto.
Antavay: Your bad shots, Brutal, accompany your good words. Look at the hole you made in Sleazers heart, while you were shouting "Live long! Hail, Sleazer!"
Carvus: Antavay, we still don't know how well you shoot. But as for your words, you must've robbed all the hives in Wander Gate, and left the dustbees honeyless.
Antavay: But they're not stingless.
Brutal: Yes they are, and soundless. You've stolen their buzz as well, so now you wisely give warning before you sting.
Antavay: Villains! You gave no warning when your daggers stabbed each other through Sleazer's body! You showed your teeth like apes, begged like hounds, and fawned like slaves, kissing Sleazer's feet, while that damned Caster snuck up behind and stabbed Sleazer in the neck! Deceivers!
Carvus: Deceivers! Now, Brutal, he wouldn't be able to speak to us like this if you'd let me have my way. You have yourself to blame for this tongue-lashing.
Otto: Enough of this! Down to business. If arguing makes us sweat, it's only blood that will settle matters. I draw my sword against the conspirators. When do you think I'll sheath it again? Never! Not until Sleazer's thirty-three wounds are each avenged, or traitor's blades add me, a second Sleazer, to the score.
Brutal: Sleazer, you can't die by traitor's hands, unless they're your own.
Otto: That's what I hope. I wasn't born to die by Brutal's hands.
Brutal: If you were the pick of the litter, boy, you wouldn't be able to die more honorably.
Carvus: A silly schoolboy, unworthy of such an honor, allied with a playboy and partier.
Antavay: Still the same old Carvus.
Otto: Come on Antavay, let's go. We throw defiance in your teeth, traitors! If you dare fight today, we'll meet you on the battlefield. If not, then show up when you've found your guts.
(Otto and Antavay withdraw with their fighters)
Carvus: Well now. That's that then. Things have come to a head, and everything's at stake.
Brutal: Louvir! Come here. I'd like a word with you.
Louvir: Yes, sir? (They talk privately)
Carvus: Methra!
Methra: Yes, sir?
Carvus: Methra, today is my birthday. This is the very day on which I was born. Shake my hand, Methra. Be my witness that against my will, just like Portley, I must wager the freedom of our homes on a single fight. You know I once followed Epitaph, who was known for scoffing at omens. But I've changed my mind now. I believe that some things may be glimpsed through signs and portents. As we made our way from Sawdust, two larger Girder Hawks joined us. They would ride on our men's shoulders, and take food from their hands. They stayed with us all the way here to Philippi's. They flew away this morning, and now dust bats and ripperjacks fly above us, looking down at us like we are sick prey. They create a cloud above us, like a funeral canopy, and our men are beneath it, ready to just pass away.
Methra: Don't you believe it!
Carvus: I only partly believe it. Actually, I'm in good cheer, and determined to meet all dangers head on.
Brutal: Like that, Louvir.
Carvus: Now, friend Brutal, today the Emperor looks upon us favorably, so that we can go forward as good friends in peace to ripe old age! But since the future is uncertain, we must consider what to do if the worst should happen. If we lose this fight, this will be the last time we speak to each other. What will you do then?
Brutal: I follow a philosophy that causes me to blame Karjo for committing suicide because he was afraid. I find it cowardly and repugnant to cut your life short out of fear of what might happen. I will patiently accept whatever destiny the Emperor has in store for me.
Carvus: So if we lose this fight, you will allow yourself to be paraded in chains through the streets of Wander Gate?
Brutal: No, Carvus. Don't think, my friend, that I will ever be brought to Wander Gate in chains. I am above that. But today we must end what began on March the 15th. I don't know if we will meet again. Therefore, let's make an everlasting farewell. If we meet again, we'll smile. If not, then this parting was appropriate.
Carvus: Forever and ever, farewell Brutal. If we do meet again, we will certainly smile. If not, then it's true that this farewell is enough.
Brutal: Lead on, then. If only we could know what the day has in store for us. But the day will end, and then the end will be known. Let's go! Onward!
(They leave)
Part Five – The Second Bit
The warehouses of the Guilder Philippi. The fight is joined. Gunfire and the sound of melee echo through the streets and the warehouses. Brutal and Methra enter.
Brutal: Run! Quickly, Methra! Bring these orders to the men on the far side. They need to push forward immediately. Otto's flank is on the verge of breaking. One swift stroke, and they'll bottle out. Run Methra! Tell them all to attack!
(They leave)
Part Five – The Third Bit
Another part of the complex. Carvus and Tytan enter as the fight rages around them.
Carvus: Look, Tytan! The rabble are running away! I've had to turn against my own men! This color-bearer of mine was trying to flee. I had to kill the coward and save the flag.
Tytan: No! Carvus! Brutal gave the word too early! His men had an advantage over Otto and he was too eager! His men are looting, while we are surrounded by Antavay's fighters!
(Paintedcoil enters)
Paintedcoil: Run, sir, run! Merc Antavay has reached our camp! Retreat, sir, retreat!
Carvus: This rise is far enough. Look, Tytan! Is that our camp I can see on fire?
Tytan: It is, sir.
Carvus: Tytan, do me a favor. Sprint over there and come back. I need to know if they're friends or enemies.
Tytan: I'll be there and back again in no time.
(Tytan rushes off)
Carvus: Paintedcoil, climb up this column. My eyesight was always poor. Look around carefully, and tell me how things are going in the war zone.
(Paintedcoil scales the column)
This is the day when I first drew breath. Time has come full circle. When I began, so shall I end. My life has run it's course. What do you see up there?
Paintedcoil: It's not good!
Carvus: What's happening?
Paintedcoil: Tytan is surrounded by the enemy, who are rushing towards him. He sprints on! They've almost got him! Run, Tytan! Some dive at him! He trips! No! He's captured! (Shouts) They're cheering the capture!
Carvus: Come down. Don't watch any more. What kind of coward am I, to live so long that my best friend is captured before my face.
(Paintedcoil climbs down)
Come here. I took you prisoner down in The Pit. I spared your life, and made you swear to do whatever I told you to do. Now you must stick to your oath. Free yourself. With this trusty blade, which ran through Sleazer's gut, stab me in the heart. Don't argue, take the hilts. When I cover my face, like this, thrust the blade. (Paintedcoil does as he's ordered.) Sleazer, you are avenged, and by the very blade that killed you.
(Carvus dies)
Paintedcoil: And so I am free. But I wouldn't be, if I'd dared to do what I wanted. Good Carvus. I'll go away from here, far away where no Wanderer will ever find me.
(He runs away. Tytan and Methra enter)
Methra: It's an equal exchange, Tytan. Otto has been defeated by Brutal, just as Carvus' men were defeated by Antavay.
Tytan: Carvus will be pleased.
Methra: Where did you leave him?
Tytan: He was very dejected. He was on this rise, with his ratskin slave, Paintedcoil.
Methra: Isn't that him, lying on the ground?
Tytan: He doesn't seem to be breathing. Emperor's Blood!
Methra: Is it him?
Tytan: No, it was him, Methra. Carvus is dead now. The dome above glows red with the flames at the end of our battle, and Carvus meets his end in his red blood. Night falls on Wander Gate. We have seen the best of times. Ahead is only misery. Our time is over. Disbelief in my success has caused this.
Methra: Disbelief in great success has caused it. Why do false conclusions always seem so right, even when they are not? Error is easily conceived, and kills before it can be seen to it's end.
Tytan: Paintedcoil! Where are you, Paintedcoil?
Methra: Go look for him, Tytan. I must meet with Brutal and thrust this news into his ears. "Thrust" is the term, for sharp steel or poisoned darts would be as welcome to Brutal as the news of what we found here.
Tytan: Go, Methra. I'll look for Paintedcoil.
(Methra leaves)
Why did you send me away, Carvus? Didn't I meet your friends? And didn't they put this laurel wreath on my head and ask me to give it to you? Didn't you hear their cheers? But you misunderstood everything. But here, I'll put this wreath upon your head. Brutal asked me to give it to you, and so I carry out his orders. Brutal, come quickly and see how I honored Carvus! By the Golden Throne, my honor as a Wanderer requires this. Come, Carvus' blade, and find Tytan's heart.
(Tytan dies)
(The sounds of fighting increase. Brutal, Methra, Young Neko, Strago, Valneus and Louvir enter.)
Brutal: Where is his body, Methra?
Methra: Over there. And Tytan is mourning him.
Brutal: Tytan is facing upwards.
Young Neko: Tytan is dead!
Brutal: Julian Sleazer! You are mighty still! Your ghost is here, turning our own swords upon us!
Young Neko: Brave Tytan! Look, he managed to award the dead Carvus.
Brutal: Are there two Wanderers still alive who are like these two? Last of all Wanderers, farewell! Wander Gate cannot possibly produce your equals. Friends, I owe more tears to this dead man than you will see me pay. I will find the time, Carvus, I will find the time. Let us go, and send his body to Three-ways. We will not hold his funeral in our camps, in case it damages morale. Come Louvir. You too Young Neko. We'll return to the fight. Have Leto and Flave signal the attack. It's early yet, and, fellow Wanderers, we'll try a second fight before it gets too late.
Part Five – Scene Four
Another part of the complex. Brutal, Methra, Young Neko, Louvir, and Flave enter, fighting
Brutal: Hold your heads high, neighbors!
(Brutal leaves)
Young Neko: Who is so low born that he doesn't? Who'll stand with me? I'll shout my name across the battlefield! I'm Mort Neko's son! Enemy of tyrants! Friend of my homeland! I'm Mort Neko's son!
(He enters melee with some of Antavay's fighters, and is killed)
Louvir: And I am Brutal! Mort Brutal! Brutal, friend of Wander Gate! I'm Brutal, can't you see me?
No, Young Neko! Are you down? You died as bravely as Tytan, and you will receive honor, since you are Neko's son.
1st Fighter: Surrender or die!
Louvir: I only surrender through death. Here is a reward if you'll kill me now. (He offers a bag of credits to the soldier) Kill Brutal, and win respect with my death.
1st Fighter: I can't. You're worth more as a prisoner!
(Antavay enters)
2nd Fighter: Stay back! Tell Antavay we've captured Brutal!
1st Fighter: I'll tell him. Oh, here he comes. We've captured Brutal! We've got him, sir!
Antavay: Where is he?
Louvir: Safe, Antavay. Brutal is safe. I can assure you that you will never take Brutal alive. Emperor protect him from such a shame! When you do find him, alive or dead, he'll be found like Brutal. Like the real Brutal.
Antavay: This is not Brutal, I can assure you, but he is almost as valuable. Keep him safe. Treat him well. I'd rather have men like him as my friends, instead of enemies. Go and find out if Brutal is alive or dead. Then bring the information to Otto's room.
(They all leave)
Part Five – The Fifth Bit
Later on, deep in the warehouse complex. Brutal, Dorfanis, Cledus, Strago, and Valneus enter.
Butal: Alright, my few remaining friends, let's rest a moment by these crates.
Cledus: Shiv went on to scout ahead, and gave the all-clear signal from our camp. But he hasn't come back yet. I'm afraid he's been captured or killed.
Brutal: Have a seat Cledus. Most likely he's been killed. It's the most common deed done today. I need a word with you, Cledus. (Whispers)
Cledus: What? Me, sir? No, not for all the world!
Brutal: Quiet, then. Say nothing.
Cledus: I'd rather kill myself.
Brutal: Dorfanis, I need a word with you. (Whispers)
Dorfanis: Would I do that?
Cledus: Dorfanis?
Dorfanis: Cledus?
Cledus: What horrible thing did Brutal ask you to do?
Dorfanis: To kill him, Cledus. Look, he's deep in thought.
Cledus: He is full of grief. You can see it in his eyes.
Brutal: Valneus, come speak to me for a moment.
Valneus: What do you need, sir?
Brutal: This, Valneus. Sleazer's ghost has appeared to me twice at night. First at Sawdust, and last night, here in Philippi's warehouses. I know my time has come.
Valneus: Not so, my lord!
Brutal: No, I'm sure it has, Valneus. You see how things are going. Our enemies have beaten us down. It's more honorable for us to jump into our own graves than to wait for them to push us in. Valneus, we went to school together. For all our time together, I ask you to hold the hilt of my sword while I run onto it.
Valneus: That's no job for a friend!
(The sounds of fighting are heard nearby)
Cledus: Run, Brutal, run! You can't stay here!
Brutal: Farewell to you, and you, and you, and you too Valneus. Strago, you've been sleeping this whole time, goodbye to you too. Neighbors, I am glad that in my lifetime I never met a man who double-crossed me. Even with this defeat, I shall have more glory than Otto and Merc Antavay can claim with their vile victory. So farewell, to all of you. The tongue of Brutal has almost spoken it's last words. My eyes are heavy, as with sleep, and my bones that brought me here want to rest.
(The fighting has come much closer)
Cledus: Run now, sir! Run!
Brutal: You go ahead, I'll follow.
(Cledus, Dorfanis, and Valneus run off)
Please, Strago, stay with me. You are well respected, and your life has been honorable. Will you turn your face away, and hold my sword while I run onto it?
Strago: If you will shake my hand first. Farewell, my lord.
Brutal: Farewell, friend Strago. Sleazer, rest in peace. I wasn't half as willing to kill you.
(Brutal runs on the sword and dies)
(Shouts of "Retreat" and "Run Away" are heard. Antavay, Otto, Methra and Louvir enter.)
Otto: Who is this man?
Methra: One of my master's men. Strago, where is Brutal?
Strago: Free from the chains that you are in, Methra. The victors can only make a bonfire out of him. Brutal defeated himself, and no other man can claim that triumph.
Louvir: That's how Brutal should be found. I always said he'd never be taken alive.
Otto: Everyone who followed Brutal, I will take into my service. Fighter, will you work with me?
Strago: I will, if Methra will vouch for me.
Otto: Do it, Methra.
Methra: I only have one question, first. How did Brutal die, Strago?
Strago: I held his sword, so he could run onto it.
Methra: Otto, accept him into your service. He granted my lord his final wish.
Antavay: This was the noblest Wanderer of them all. Every conspirator except this one did what they did out of envy of great Sleazer. He joined them only out of greater loyalty to the people and the common good. He was a gentle man, and all the elements were mixed so well in him, that Nature itself should stand up and shout "This was a Man!"
Otto: Let's deal with his remains as his qualities deserve, with all due respect and honorable burial. His body will lie tonight in my room, like a true soldier, with full honors. Order the fighting to stop, and let's depart to share in the glory of this happy day.
(Everyone leaves)