PART ONE – The First Bit
A wind-blasted hill top outside the Primus Sprawl, Necromunda, on a stormy night. The year is 040 M35, during the reign of Imperial Governor Dairgan Scot. Three wytches chant around a bubbling cauldron.
Samantha: When shall we three meet again
In thunder, lightening and in rain?
Sabrina: When the hubbub is all done
When the battle's lost and won.
Selena: Which shall be before the setting of the sun.
Samantha: Where shall we meet?
Sabrina: Upon this hill.
Selena: Here to meet Malgeth.
Samantha: I hear Pywackit!
Sabrina: Kermit doth call!
Selena: Away!
All: Fair is foul, foul is fair
We hover through fog and filthy air!
(They fade into nothingness)
PART ONE – The Second Bit
A military camp near the township of Farway, which owes allegiance to Primus Sprawl. A battle is raging nearby. Separatist rebels are fighting the PDF. An alert sounds. Dairgan (Governor of Primus Sprawl) enters, with Mordan and Delborn (his sons) and several Officers and assistants. They meet a Sergeant whose uniform is stained with blood.
Dairgan: Who is this soldier, bleeding so badly? His wounds are fresh, so he should be able to give us a current report on the uprising.
Mordan: This is the Sergeant who rescued me from captivity! Thanks and well met, my friend! Tell the Governor the latest news from the front.
Sergeant: The battle was on the tipping point, like two pit fighters in the final round, exhausted and leaning on each other just to remain standing. Then that traitorous bastard Malfenheld got some reinforcements, mercenaries from Secundus Sprawl. Lady Luck, the whore, was on his side at first. But then Brave Malgeth, who surely earned that title, ignored the odds. His power sword streaming with blood, he cut his way through the enemy until he met Malfenheld face-to-face. There was no fancy duel. He carved the traitor from neck to groin, and put his head up on a stake.
Dairgan: Well done, my general!
Sergeant: But there is more news, Governor. After good news, there is sometimes bad. No sooner had our valiant troops forced the rebels to show how fast they could retreat, the Governor of Tertious Sprawl saw his chance. He launched an attack on our tired troops with fresh troops and new wargear.
Dairgon: Malgeth and Barthou? Did they lose heart?
Sergeant: Are eagles afraid of sparrows, or lions afraid of bunnies? They were like lasguns set on overpower! They redoubled their attack! It was like they wanted to go swimming in blood. I feel faint…my wounds need a medicae…
Dairgon: You can be proud of those wounds and your report, Sergeant. Quickly, get him to a medicae.
A couple of troopers assist the Sergeant off to find a medicae. Ran Lo and Greim, two members of the sprawl nobility, enter in a hurry.
Who is this?
Mordan: It's the Lord of Ran Lo.
Ulanti: From his expression, I'd say he brings some strange news.
Ran Lo: Emperor Protect the Governor!
Dairgon: Where have you come from, Lord Ran Lo?
Ran Lo: I have come from Cliffton, where the Tertians are running rampant. Backed by the traitor Cawdor, the Governor of Tertius launched a massive attack. But Malgeth met him on the field. Geared for war, Malgeth fought hand to hand and traded fusillades with the invaders, and brought him to his knees! We are victorious!
Dairgon: Excellent!
Ran Lo: Now the Governor of Tertius is asking for peace. We won't let him reclaim his dead until he pays us ten million in restitution.
Dairgon: The Lord of House Cawdor won't deceive us twice. Captain, see to it that Lord Cawdor is executed immediately. Lord Ran Lo, the title of Lord Cawdor shall go to Malgeth. When you see him, greet him with it. Maybe under his rule, the house shall find redemption.
Ran Lo: I'll make sure it's done.
Dairgon: Cawdor's loss is noble Malgeth's gain.
(They all leave)
PART ONE – The Third Bit
Back on the windswept hill-top, the three Wytches meet again during a thunderstorm.
Samantha: Where have you been, sister?
Sabrina: Killing swine.
Selena: Where have you been, sister?
Samantha: I met a sailor's wife with a lap full of chestnuts.
She munched and munched and munched.
"Give me some" I said.
"Bugger off, wytch" the fat-assed harlot yelled.
I know her husband is off aboard the Tiger.
So in a sieve I'll follow him,
And like a rat without a tail
I'll do him in. I'll do him in!
Sabrina: I'll give you a wind to help.
Samantha: Thank you, sister.
Selena: And I'll give you another.
Samantha: I control the rest.
I control their very origins
Every point of the compass we know
From records, maps and charts.
I will see to it that he has nothing to drink,
And make sure he never sleeps a wink!
He will live as a man tormented.
For many weeks, nine times nine,
He shall dwindle, weak and whine.
Though his ship shall not be lost,
I shall make it tempest-tossed.
Look at what I have.
Sabrina: Show me! Show me!
Samantha: Here I have a navigator's thumb,
Who wrecked as he was homeward come.
(A drum sounds)
Selena: A drum! A drum! Malgeth here comes!
All: The Wyrd Sisters, hand in hand,
Enchanters of the sea and land
Around we go, around, around
Three times your way, three times mine
Three more again to make up nine
Stop! The spell is ready.
(Malgeth and Barthou enter. They have recently left the field, and are battle worn.)
Malgeth: I have never seen a day that was so cursed and so blessed at the same time.
Barthou: How far are we from Foreberg? Who are these creatures, so wrinkled and so oddly dressed? They don't look human. Are you alive, or are you spirits we can question? From the way you shush me with fingers on lips, it seems that you understand my speech. You look like you may be women, but with beards like those, I cannot be sure.
Malgeth: Speak up, if you can! What are you?
Samantha: All hail Malgeth, Lord of Glomys!
Sabrina: All hail Malgeth, Lord of Cawdor!
Selena: All hail Malgeth, who shall be Governor one day!
Barthou: Why do you look so shocked? This sounds pretty good to me. Speak the truth! Are you warp-spawn, or are you as mortal as you appear? You hailed my companion by his current title. Then you foretold new titles, with the hope of Imperial rule. Now he's lost in thought. But you say nothing about me. If you can foretell the future, if you know who will prosper and who will perish, then speak to me! I don't seek or fear what you may tell me, good or bad.
Samantha: Hail!
Sabrina: Hail!
Selena: Hail!
Samantha: Lesser than Malgeth, but greater…
Sabrina: Not as happy, but much happier…
Selena: You will father rulers, but you will not be one yourself. All hail, Malgeth and Barthou!
Samantha: Barthou and Malgeth, all hail!
Malgeth: Wait! You have only told me half of this story. I am the Lord of Glomys, I inherited it from my father. But how can I be the Lord of Cawdor? Cawdor is alive and well. And as for Governor, that's just impossible. More so than becoming Lord of Cawdor. Who told you this story? Why have you stopped us on this Emperor forsaken hill and told us prophesies? Answer me!
(The Wytches fade into nothing.)
Barthou: I know water can turn to bubbles and evaporate, I didn't think the earth could. Where did they go?
Malgeth: Into thin air. They have melted away like breath into the wind. I wish they had stayed.
Barthou: Were they really here, or did we imagine this?
Malgeth: Your children shall rule.
Barthou: You shall be Imperial Governor.
Malgeth: And the Lord of Cawdor too. Isn't that what they said?
Barthou: Exactly. Someone approaches.
(Ran Lo and Greim enter on their mission from Governor Scot)
Ran Lo: The Governor was very pleased with the news of your success, Malgeth. When he heard of your success against the rebels, he was speechless. Later on that same day, he finds you in the midst of the Tertians, sewing death and destruction with no fear for yourself. Reports flooded in, each one praising your success and valor on the field, defending Primus Sprawl.
Greim: We have come to escort you to Governor Scot and deliver his thanks. We do not bear your rewards.
Ran Lo: But as a sample of the honors yet to come, he has instructed me to call you Lord of Cawdor. So in that name, hail most worthy Lord Cawdor. The title is yours.
Barthou: (to himself) What? Did they speak the truth?
Malgeth: But the Lord of Cawdor isn't dead. Why do you call me by his title?
Greim: The man who was the Lord is still alive, but has been sentenced to death, which he richly deserves. If he allied himself with the Tertians, the rebels, or with both I don't know. But high treason has been proven, and he has confessed.
Malgeth: (to himself) Lord of Glomys and Lord of Cawdor. The best is yet to come! (To the others) Thank you for your efforts. (To Barthou) Don't you hope your children will rule? Those who gave me the Lord of Cawdor promised them this.
Barthou: Take it further, and you may be Governor in addition to Lord of Cawdor. It's strange. Sometimes the ruinous powers lead us to evil by presenting us with tiny truths. Then they betray us when it really matters. (To Ran Lo and Greim) May I have a word with you?
Malgeth: (to himself) That's two predictions that have come true. The first steps toward the Imperial throne! (To the others) Thank you, good sirs. (To himself again) This meddling with warp powers can be either good or evil. If it's evil, then why has it given me success, starting with truth? I have become Lord of Cawdor. If it's good, then why do I have such dark thoughts that make my hairs stand up? Imagined horrors are worse than present fears. The very thought of murder rattles my nerves and freezes my heart. Nothing is what it seems.
Barthou: Look how deep in thought Malgeth is.
Malgeth: (to himself) If fate says I'll be Governor, then fate can promote me, without any of my help.
Barthou: New titles are like new shoes. It takes awhile to get used to them.
Malgeth: (still to himself) No matter what happens, even the worst days come to an end.
Barthou: Malgeth? We're ready when you are.
Malgeth: Sorry, my mind was somewhere else. My lords, thank you again. Let's go meet the Governor. (To Barthou) Think about what has happened. After we've had some time to mull things over, we'll speak again.
Barthou: Gladly.
Malgeth: Until then. Let's go, my friends.
(They all leave)
PART ONE – The Fourth Bit
Dairgon: Has Cawdor faced the firing squad yet? Have the officers in charge of the execution returned yet?
Mordan: Lord Govenor, they have not returned yet. But I have heard from someone who witnessed the execution. He said Cawdor confessed to treason, asked for your pardon, and appeared truly repentant. He died in a far more noble manner than he lived, and appeared resigned to the loss of his life.
Dairgon: A man's appearance may contradict what is going on in his mind. I trusted Cawdor completely.
(Malgeth, Barthou, Ran Lo, and Greim enter)
My most worthy cousin! I feel I have been ungrateful. You have achieved so much so quickly, that I cannot keep up with the rewards I owe you. If only you deserved less, my thanks might be in the lead. I owe you more than I can repay.
Malgeth: Service to you as a loyal subject is its own reward. Your Lordship must accept that service, which is to your title, the State, and your children. We are only doing our duty when we protect your life and honor.
Dairgon: Be welcome here. I see a great future for you, and will strive to see you prosper. And, noble Barthou, you are no less deserving. Your deeds will be praised. I will embrace you as a friend of the Throne.
Barthou: If I succeed here, all the benefits shall be yours.
Dairgon: I am overwhelmed to the point of tears. Sons, kinsmen, lords and members of the court, let it be known that I choose my son Mordan as my successor. From now on, he shall be known as the Lord of Cumberland. He will not be the only one honored today. All merit shall be rewarded. We depart for Malgeth's fortress at Inverns to strengthen our friendship.
Malgeth: Leave the details to me. I'll travel on ahead to make everything ready, and delight my wife with the news of your arrival.
Dairgon: Most worthy Cawdor.
Malgeth: (to himself) Lord of Cumberland? That's an obstacle that may trip me up unless I vault over it. He stands in my way. The darkness must hide my ambitions. The hand must do what the eye does not want to see. But what the eye fears must be accomplished.
(Malgeth leaves)
Dairgon: True, worthy Barthou. He's the epitome of valiant. His worthiness is a veritable banquet. Let's follow him. He went ahead to prepare a welcome, thinking only of our welfare. He is truly a kinsman without equal.
(They all leave)
PART ONE – The Fifth Bit
Malgeth's fortress at Inverns. Lady Malgeth enters, reading a message from her husband.
Lady Malgeth: "They met me in the hour of my victory. I have the strongest evidence that they are wyrds of great power. When I attempted to question them further, they vanished into thin air. While I stood there in amazement, messengers came from the Governor, hailing me as the new Lord of Cawdor, the title with which these Wyrd Sisters had called me earlier. They foretold the future as well, saying " Hail, Governor that shall be!" I am sending you this news, my dearest partner, so that you will not lose a moment's enjoyment of the greatness that's in store for us. Keep this to yourself, and farewell."
Lord of Glomys, and now of Cawdor. He shall be what was promised. But I'm worried about his nature. He is too kind to take shortcuts. He wants greatness. He does not lack ambition. But he does lack the ruthlessness that is required to achieve it. He wants the high office by the righteous path. He won't cheat, because he'd win unfairly. Lord Glomys, you desire what requires great deeds, yet you are too scared to do them, even though you want it to happen. Come home quickly so that I may inspire you with my passion. My words will overcome the scruples standing between you and the grand prize: the crown that fate and the supernatural has prepared for you!
(A messenger enters)
What news do you deliver?
Messenger: The Governor comes here tonight.
Lady Malgeth: Are you mad? Isn't your master with the Governor? Wouldn't he have warned us so that we could prepare?
Messenger: My apologies, but it's true. Our Lord is coming. Another messenger came ahead of him to deliver the message.
Lady Malgeth: Reward him, for he brings great news!
(The messenger leaves)
The messenger of death is hoarse from announcing the news of Dairgon's fatal arrival here. Come to me, spirits that affect the thoughts of humans, and take away the natural tenderness of my sex. Fill me from head to toe with terrible cruelty. Strengthen my blood. Make me remorseless, so that no conscience can alter my plans or get in the way of what must be done. Come to my breasts and turn my milk to poison, you minions of murder, wherever you lurk while waiting for evil deeds! Come darkest night, and cloak yourself with the very smokes of Hell, so that my sharp knife won't see the wound it makes, nor will the Throne, peering through the shroud of darkness, shout "Stop, Stop!"
(Malgeth enters)
Great Glomys! Lord of Cawdor! Greater than both, according to the prophecy upon the hill! Your messages have shown me the future so clearly that I feel it's with us now.
Malgeth: My love, Dairgon will arrive tonight.
Lady Malgeth: And when will he leave?
Malgeth: Tomorrow. Or that is his attention, at least.
Lady Malgeth: He'll never see tomorrow's sunrise. Your face is like a book, my lord. It will reveal things to its readers. You must avoid suspicion by acting normal. Be welcoming in speech, looks, and deeds. Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent that hides within. Our guests must be taken care of. You must trust tonight's deeds to me. We will have unchallenged power for the rest of our lives.
Malgeth: We must discuss this some more.
Lady Malgeth: Look open and innocent. To show your feelings is too dangerous. Leave everything to me.
PART ONE – The Sixth Bit
Outside Malgeth's fortress. Governor Dairgon, Mordan, Delborn, Barthou, Ulanti, Maldiov, Ran Lo, Greim, and Attendants enter.
Dairgon: This fortress has quite the view. The fresh air here is most appealing.
Barthou: During the summer, the little martlet choses to build their nests here. There's not a buttress, battlement, corner or eave that isn't used for nesting and hatching eggs by these little birds. I've noticed they chose to live and breed where the air is fresh and clean.
(Lady Malgeth enters)
Dairgon: Here comes our honored hostess. Sometimes our station is more trouble than it's worth, although it does have its benefits. I must apologize for this inconvenience on your hospitality. Our high regard for you has brought us here.
Lady Malgeth: If what we do for you we could do twice, and then twice again, it would be nothing compared to what honors you have bestowed upon our family. For past favors and the most recent honors added to them, our lives are at your service.
Dairgon: Where is the Lord of Cawdor? We raced after him, intending to arrive first. But he rides well, and his knowledge of the local terrain, has helped him arrive ahead of us. Fair lady, we are your guests tonight.
Lady Malgeth: Ourselves, our staff, and all that we possess are yours to command.
Dairgon: Give me your hand. Escort me to our host. We owe him much, and shall continue to reward him. Shall we, hostess?
(They enter the fortress)
PART ONE – The Seventh Bit
A room in Malgeth's fortress. A butler and several waiters are busy at work preparing the welcoming feast. Malgeth enters. He is considering the proposed murder of Governor Dairgon Scot.
Malgeth: If we can get away with this, then the sooner we do it, the better. If there were no consequences for the assassination, and success was guaranteed; if this one blow were the end of it, right here and now in this life, I'd take my chances with eternity. But there are always consequences in this life. We teach the arts of war, and then the students turn and wage war upon us. Justice forces us to drink from the very goblets we poison. Dairgon is here because he has two reasons to trust me. Firstly, because I'm his kin and his subject (both of which should prevent me from doing this). Second, since I'm his host, I should do all in my power to protect him in my house, not turn on him and plunge in the dagger myself. Besides, Dairgon has been a fair governor. He's been so incorruptible, that his virtues will fly like ghosts and announce the tragedy of his murder. The Emperor's own cherubim will spread word of the deed so that every eye will be blind with tears. There's really nothing that should drive me to over-reach myself and do this deed, which could bring about my downfall.
(Lady Malgeth enters)
What is happening now?
Lady Malgeth: He has almost finished eating. Why did you leave the feast?
Malgeth: Did he ask about me?
Lady Malgeth: What do you think?
Malgeth: We'll pursue this action no more. Dairgon has honored me recently, and I've gained respect amongst my peers. We should enjoy these honors, not cast them aside while they're still fresh.
Lady Malgeth: Was the hope that drove you before drunk on amasec? Has it been sleeping it off? Did it wake up all hung-over and looked at its drunken actions with nausea? I now know what your love is worth. Are you afraid to actually perform the deeds you dream about doing? Are you such a coward that you desire the throne, yet are willing to let "I dare not" overwhelm "I should"? You're like the cat in the old tale that wanted to eat fish, but refused to get wet.
Malgeth: That's enough out of you. I'll dare anything that's worthy of being a man. Anyone who dares more isn't one.
Lady Malgeth: What daemon was it that made you share this plan with me? When you dared to try it, then you were a man. To want to be more than you are makes you a greater man. Time and place didn't matter to you before; you were willing to make them happen. Now they've set themselves up as the perfect opportunity, and you've lost your nerve. I've nursed babies. I know what it is to love the child at my breast. While it was smiling up at me, I'd have plucked my nipple from its mouth and dashed it's brains out if I'd sworn to do it. As you have sworn to do this.
Malgeth: What if we fail?
Lady Malgeth: We fail? Screw up your courage 'til it sticks, and we won't fail. When Dairgon is sleeping, and he'll sleep soundly after his hard journey, I'll get his two chamberlains so drunk their brains will be addled and their memories all confused. When they are drunk and sleeping like pigs, what won't we be able to do to the unprotected Dairgon? Why don't we blame the drunken men-at-arms? They'll be blamed for our great murder.
Malgeth: Give birth to sons only! Your limitless courage should only create males in your womb! Won't everyone believe, after we smear the guards sleeping bodies with blood- and use their own blades!- that they have done it?
Lady Malgeth: Who would think otherwise, especially as we shall grieve his murder openly and publicly?
Malgeth: I'm convinced. I shall devote all my abilities to this terrible deed. Let's go back and pass the time playing the perfect hosts. We must conceal our false hearts behind false masks of friendship.
(They return to the feast)