PART FOUR – The First Bit
A cavern set into a hillside. In the center is a boiling cauldron. A thunder storm rages outside. The Wyrd Sisters enter.
Samantha: Three times the cat has mewed.
Sabrina: Three plus one has the spiny hog whined.
Selena: The fiend cries "It's time, it's time!"
Samantha: Round about the cauldron go, in the poisoned entrails throw. Toad that sat under stone, for days and nights thirty-one, full of venom it has got, boil it first in the charmed pot!
All: Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Sabrina: Fillet of a fen-bound snake, In the cauldron boil and bake; Eye of newt and toe of frog, Hair of bat and tongue of dog, Adder's tongue and lashworm's sting, Lizard's leg and dustbat's wing; To make a charm for powerful trouble, Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.
All: Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Selena: Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf; Witch's mummy, entrails engulf from the stranded salt-sea shark, root of hemlock dug in the dark, Liver of a blaspheming priest, gall of goat and putrid yeast stewing through the moon's eclipse, Delaque nose and Esher's lips, Finger of a birth-strangled babe ditch-delivered by a whore, makes the gruel too thick to pour; Add in too a tiger's gut, to the ingredients of our pot.
All: Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Sabrina: Cool it with a primate's blood; then the charm is done and good.
(Helkat enters and joins the Wyrd Sisters)
Helkat: Job well done! I praise your pains and everyone shall share the gains. And now about the cauldron sing, like ghosts and spirits in a ring, Enchanting all that you put in.
(There is music and chanting as the wytches enchant the cauldron with black spirits. Then Helkat leaves.)
Sabrina: By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes; Open, locks, for whoever knocks!
(Malgeth enters.)
Malgeth: Well now, you secret, black and midnight hags! What are you doing now?
All: A deed without a name.
Malgeth: I ask you; use your art, no matter how you gain the knowledge, to answer me. Even if you unleash the winds to assail the chapels, cause the seas to swell and swallow up ships, flatten ripened crops and blow down trees, topple fortresses on their guardians' heads and cause the city's towers to bend towards their own foundations, even if you cause nature's elements to run riot to the point where destruction is sick of itself, still I would have you answer my questions.
Samantha: Speak.
Sabrina: Demand.
Selena: We'll answer.
Samantha: Would you rather hear answers from our mouths, or from the sources themselves?
Malgeth: Call them. Let me see them.
Samantha: Pour in sow's blood, that has eaten its nine young; Grease that's sweated from an executioner's rope fling into the flame.
All: Come, high or low; Yourself and your rank do show!
(There's a clap of thunder. The 1st Apparition is a helmeted head.)
Malgeth: Answer me, you unknown power…
Samantha: He knows your thoughts, hear his speech, but speak not.
1st Apparition: Malgeth! Malgeth! Malgeth! Beware Maldiov, beware the Lord of Fyfe! Dismiss me now. Enough!
(The Apparition descends through the floor.)
Malgeth: Whatever you are, thanks for the warning. You've guessed what I feared. But one more word…
Samantha: He will not be ordered back. But here comes another, more powerful than the first.
(More thunder. The 2nd Apparition is a blood-covered child.)
2nd Apparition: Malgeth! Malgeth! Malgeth!
Malgeth: If I had three ears, I'd hear you.
2nd Apparition: Be bloody, bold, and steadfast. Laugh in scorn at the power of man, for no man born of woman can harm Malgeth.
(The Apparition descends through the floor.)
Malgeth: I shall let Maldiov live. Why should I fear him? But I'll make sure and back fate up. Maldiov must die. Only then can I tell my fears that they lie. Not even thunder will disturb my sleep after that.
(A clap of thunder. The 3rd Apparition is a child, wearing a crown and holding a tree in his hands.)
What is this? It rises like a princely child, but wears a king's crown on its infant head.
All: Listen, but don't speak to it!
3rd Apparition: Be lion-hearted, proud, and pay no attention to who complains, who frets, or where conspirators are. Malgeth shall not be defeated until Great Byrnam Wood itself comes to assail him at the palace.
(The Apparition descends through the floor.)
Malgeth: That will never happen! Who can command a forest or order the trees to pull up their roots? This bodes well. Good! Sleepless dead, never rise, not until Byrnam Wood rouses itself. Imperial Malgeth will live his full life span, and die of old age. Yet, I must know one more thing. Tell me, if your powers can, will Barthou's sons ever be Governors?
All: Seek to know no more!
Malgeth: I must know! Deny me, and an eternal curse shall befall you! Tell me… (The cauldron sinks into the earth.) Why does the cauldron sink? What's this infernal noise?
Samantha: Show!
Sabrina: Show!
Selena: Show!
All: Show his eyes, grieve his heart; Come like shadows, then depart.
(A line of eight ghostly Governors appears. The last is carrying a hand mirror. Barthou's Ghost follows the procession.)
Malgeth: I can see Barthou's spirit in you, be gone! Your laurel blinds my eyes! And you, your hair under your laurel is blonde like the first. This third ghost is like the first two. Filthy hags! Why do you show me this? A fourth? Look, eyes! Will this line stretch out until the end of time? And another? A seventh? I don't want to see any more. And yet, here's the eighth, carrying a mirror that shows me even more! There are some whose many laurels combine many rules and unite the planet! Horrible sight! Now I see it's true, for the bloody Barthou smiles at me and indicates that they are his descendants! Can this be?
Samantha: Aye sir, this is all so. But why do you stand in amazement? Come sisters, let's cheer up his spirits and show the best of our enchantments. I'll charm the air to make a sound while you perform your dance around. And so this governor may kindly say, our duty to his satisfaction paid.
(Unearthly music sounds, and the Wytches cavort around. They fade to nothing, leaving Malgeth alone.)
Malgeth: Where are they? Gone? May this wicked hour be forever cursed in the calendar. Come in, whoever's out there!
(Ulanti enters.)
Ulanti: What can I do for you, governor?
Malgeth: Did you see the Wyrd Sisters?
Ulanti: No, my lord.
Malgeth: They didn't go past you?
Ulanti: They did not, my lord.
Malgeth: May the air they ride be infected! Let all those who trust them be damned! I heard the roar of engines. Who passed by?
Ulanti: There were two or three, my lord, who were bringing word that Maldiov has fled to Secondus.
Malgeth: Fled to Secondus!
Ulanti: Yes, governor.
Malgeth: Time has anticipated my dark ambitions. My desires will never be caught unless the deeds instantly go with them. From this moment on, I will unite my thoughts and actions. I think it, and it will be done. I will surprise the castle of Maldiov, seize Fyfe and put his wife, his children, and all those who belong to his bloodline to the sword. No boasting like a fool! I'll do this now before my desire cools. No more visions! Where are the messengers? Come, bring me to them.
(They leave.)
PART FOUR – The Second Bit
Maldiov's castle in Fyfe. Lady Maldiov, her son, and Ran Lo enter.
Lady Maldiov: What did he do, to make him flee Primus?
Ran Lo: You must have patience, madam.
Lady Maldiov: He didn't have any. His flight was madness. He has done nothing wrong, but his fear will make him look like a traitor.
Ran Lo: You don't know if it was wisdom or fear.
Lady Maldiov: Wisdom? To leave his wife and children, his house and his titles in the place he runs from? He doesn't love us. He lacks natural instincts, for the tiniest bird, when her young are in her nest, will fight against much larger birds. He does this all from fear, and not from love. There is no wisdom when the flight runs against all reason.
Ran Lo: My dearest cousin, please control yourself. As for your husband, he is noble, wise, just, and knows what's going on here. I dare not say anything else. But the times are cruel when we are traitors and don't know it. When rumors grow from fears, even when we don't know what we fear. And so we are tossed to and fro as if we were caught at sea in a storm. I must go, but it won't be long before I'll be back. At the worst, everything will end, or else return to the way they were before. My pretty cousin, Emperor watch over you.
Lady Maldiov: My son has a father, and at the same time, he's fatherless.
Ran Lo: I am such a fool, that I cannot stay longer without disgracing myself or embarrassing you. I must go now.
(Ran Lo leaves.)
Lady Maldiov: My son, your father is dead. What will you do now? How will you live?
Son: Like the birds do, mother.
Lady Maldiov: What? Eating worms and flies?
Son: I mean with whatever I can get, like they do.
Lady Maldiov: Poor bird! Don't you fear the net, traps, or cages?
Son: Why should I, mother? They don't try to catch poor birds. But no matter what you say, my father is not dead.
Lady Maldiov: He is dead. What will you do for a father?
Son: No, what will you do for a husband?
Lady Maldiov: Why, I can buy myself twenty at any market.
Son: Then you should buy them and sell them again.
Lady Maldiov: You speak like a child, but very cleverly.
Son: Was my father a traitor, mother?
Lady Maldiov: Yes, he was.
Son: What's a traitor?
Lady Maldiov: Why, it's someone who swears oaths, but lies.
Son: And everyone who does that is a traitor?
Lady Maldiov: Everyone who does that is a traitor, and must be hanged.
Son: And must all who swear and lie be hanged?
Lady Maldiov: Every one.
Son: Who hangs them?
Lady Maldiov: Why, the honest men.
Son: Then the traitors are fools. There are enough that swear and lie to beat up the honest men and hang them instead.
Lady Maldiov: Emperor protect you, little monkey! But what will you do for a father?
Son: If he were dead, you'd cry for him. If you didn't, it'd be a good sign that I'd be getting a new father soon.
Lady Maldiov: Oh, how you prattle!
(A Messenger enters.)
Messenger: Throne watch over you, fair lady. You don't know me, but I know you by your rank. You are in grave danger. If you will take an ordinary man's advice, don't be found here. Flee with your little ones! I'm sorry to frighten you like this, but a worse fate is close at hand. Emperor protect you! I must not stay any longer.
(He leaves.)
Lady Maldiov: Where should I go? I haven't done anything wrong. Now I remember, I am in this pitiful world, where doing harm earns praise, and to do good is considered dangerous and foolish. Why then do I use that childish defense "I have done nothing wrong?
(A small mob of Murderers enter.)
Who are these people?
Murderer: Where is your husband?
Lady Maldiov: Hopefully not in any place so desecrated that people like you may find him.
Murderer: He's a traitor.
Son: You lie, you long-haired villain!
Murderer: You dare? You son of a traitor!
(He stabs him.)
Son: He has killed me, mother! Please, run away! (He dies)
(Lady Maldiov runs off, screaming "Murder". The Murderers pursue her.)
PART FOUR –The Third Bit
Secundus, near the Governor's fortress. Mordan and Maldiov enter.
Mordan: Let's find some desolate shadow, and then we can cry until we're empty.
Maldiov: Rather, let's take up our weapons, and like good men go to the defense of our homeland. Each new morning, new widows mourn and new orphans cry. New sorrows strike the very face of the heavens, so that they cry out in sympathy with Primus.
Mordan: I'll weep what I believe. Consider what that is. And what I can redress, when the time is right, I will. What you have said may be true. This tyrant, whose very name blisters my tongue, was once thought to be honest. You were his friend. He hasn't harmed you yet. I am young, and you may do yourself some good with him through me: by betraying me to him. Like sacrificing an innocent lamb to appease an angry god.
Maldiov: I am not treacherous.
Mordan: But Malgeth is. A good and virtuous person may yield to pressures from their leader. But I beg your forgiveness. My thoughts can't change what you are. Angels still shine, even though the brightest have fallen. All foul things want to look like grace, but grace can't change that it looks like grace.
Maldiov: I have lost all my hopes.
Mordan: Maybe that's why I have my doubts. Why did you leave your wife and child, your most precious possessions, in that mess without even saying farewell? Please, don't let my suspicions dishonor you. They're for my protection. You may be honorable and just, no matter what I think.
Maldiov: Bleed, bleed, poor Primus! Great tyranny, make your base strong, for good dares not stop you. Display your wrongs, your position protects you. Farewell, lord. I will not be the villain you think I am. Not for all of Primus or the rest of Necromunda.
Mordan: Don't be offended. I'm not completely afraid of you. I think Primus sinks under the yoke of oppression. It weeps, it bleeds, and every day a new slash is added to its wounds. And yet I think there are some there who would come to my aid, and Secundus has offered me a generous force of troops. Despite all this, when I have the tyrants head under my foot, or impaled on my sword, my poor Primus will feel more vices than it had before he took over. It will suffer more, and in more ways, under the new governor.
Maldiov: Who could that be?
Mordan: I'm talking about myself. I know how deep my vices go. When I take over, black Malgeth will seem pure as snow. Poor Primus will consider him a lamb, compared to the atrocities I will perform.
Maldiov: Not in all the forces of the ruinous powers can be found a daemon more steeped in evil to top Malgeth.
Mordan: Oh, he's bloody, lustful, greedy, traitorous, lying, impetuous, malicious, basically possessing every sin that has a name. But there's no bottom, none, for my lust. Your wives, your daughters, your mothers and your virgins could not satisfy my desires. Nothing that opposed my will would stand before my passions. Better Malgeth then someone like me in charge.
Maldiov: Boundless self-indulgence can be a tyrant. It has caused the fall of many rulers before their time. But don't be afraid to take up what is yours. You can indulge in your pleasures and still seem pure. You can cover everything up. We have plenty of willing women. You can't be so lustful that you would use up all those who would be attracted to you and your position.
Mordan: Along with that, among my vices is such an insatiable greed that, if I ruled, I would banish the nobles from their lands, desire one man's jewels and another man's house. My gains would just be like gravy on my hunger for more, so that I would invent arguments against the good and loyal subjects, destroying them for their wealth.
Maldiov: This type of greed goes deeper. It has deeper roots than lust, and has been the death of many leaders. But do not fear. Primus has enough riches to satisfy you with your own properties. These vices are manageable, when compared with your virtues.
Mordan: But I have none. I have none of the virtues that make a leader; justice, sincerity, temperance, stability, generosity, perseverance, mercy, humility, devotion, patience, courage, or fortitude. I overflow with all the finer points of vice in all its many guises. No, if I had power, I would waste everything good, destroy the peace, and ruin all unity on Necromunda.
Maldiov: Oh Primus! Primus!
Mordan: If a man like I described is fit to rule, then speak up. I am that type of man.
Maldiov: Fit to rule? No! Not even to live! Miserable nation! With an unworthy tyrant ruling by bloody treachery, when will you know peaceful days again? The rightful heir stands accursed by his own words, a blasphemy on his heritage. His father was a virtuous ruler, the lady that bore him devout and faithful to the Throne. Farewell! These evils you put on yourself have banished me from my homeland. My heart, your hope ends here.
Mordan: Maldiov, this outburst, proof of your integrity, has removed the vices from my soul and convinced me of your sincerity. Devilish Malgeth has tried to win me to his side using many of these ruses. It is simply wisdom that prevents me from believing too easily. May the Emperor mediate between you and me. Even now, I align myself with you and retract all I have said against myself. All the taints and vices I gave myself are strangers to me. I've never been with a woman, never gone back on my word, rarely desired what wasn't mine, and never broken my faith. I wouldn't sell out a daemon to another ruinous power, and I love truth as much as I love life. My first lies were those things I said about myself. What I really am is for you and my home to command. In reality, before you arrived, Captain Seaward, with ten thousand troops, fully equipped, was preparing to depart for Primus. Now we'll go together, with our chance of success equal to the necessity of our actions. But why are you so quiet?
Maldiov: It's hard to reconcile such welcome and unwelcome things at the same time.
(A Medicae enters.)
Mordan: We'll talk more later. Is the governor coming?
Medicae: Yes sir. There is a crowd of wretched souls begging for his cure. Their sicknesses baffle our medical skills, but his touch, blessed by the Emperor himself, cures their ills.
Mordan: Thank you, medicae.
(The Medicae leaves.)
Maldiov: What disease is he talking about?
Mordan: It's called "The Evil". A miraculous gift the governor has, which I've seen him use often since I arrived here in Secundus. How he does it, only he knows. But strangely afflicted people, often swollen and covered in ulcers, who cannot be helped by the medicae, he cures. He hangs a golden aquila around their necks, and prays to the God-Emperor. It's said that he'll pass on this gift to his heirs. In addition to this power, he has been blessed by the Throne with the gift of prophecy. The Emperor has surely blessed his rule and filled him with grace.
(Ran Lo enters.)
Maldiov: Look who's here!
Mordan: He's from Primus, but I don't recognize him.
Maldiov: My good cousin, welcome to Secundus.
Mordan: Now I know who he is. May the Emperor remove the things that make us strangers.
Ran Lo: Amen to that.
Maldiov: Is Primus still the same?
Ran Lo: Sadly, our poor homeland is hardly recognizable. It's no longer our homeland, more like our graveyard. No one who understands what is happening smiles anymore. Sobs, groans and shrieks that rend the air are ignored. Violence and sorrow seem to be the current delights. No one asks for whom the funeral bell tolls anymore. Good men expire before the flowers in their hats, dying before their time.
Maldiov: Well said, and all too true.
Mordan: What's the latest grief?
Ran Lo: News an hour old is stale, as fresh bad news arrives every minute.
Maldiov: How is my wife?
Ran Lo: She's well…
Maldiov: And my children?
Ran Lo: Well too…
Maldiov: The tyrant has left them in peace?
Ran Lo: They were at peace, when I left them.
Maldiov: Don't hold back with the news, how are things?
Ran Lo: When I came here to bring the news, which I have heavily carried, there was a rumor running around that many worthy men were up in arms. Which I can believe, since I saw the tyrant's troops on the march. Now is the time to help. Your presence in Primus would raise an army; even make our women fight in order to end their current situation.
Mordan: Let them take comfort, for we are going there. The governor of Secundus has lent us Captain Seaward and ten thousand men. There's no better or more experienced soldier on all of Necromunda.
Ran Lo: I wish I could answer such comforting news with some of my own! But I have news that should only be told to the desert winds, where nobody could hear it.
Maldiov: What is it about? Public news or private news?
Ran Lo: Every honest person shares in the woe, but it's mostly for you.
Maldiov: It's for me, then quickly, let me have it.
Ran Lo: Do not hate me, for I fear that I am the bearer of the saddest news you shall ever hear.
Maldiov: I think I can guess…
Ran Lo: Your fortress was taken by surprise. Your wife and children were savagely slaughtered. If I was to tell you how, your death would be added to theirs.
Mordan: Merciful Emperor! What are you doing, man? Don't hide your eyes within your hat! Give words to your sorrow! Keeping your grief silent will break your heart!
Maldiov: My children too?
Ran Lo: Wife, children, staff, everyone that could be found.
Maldiov: And I had to be away! My wife was killed too?
Ran Lo: Just as I've said.
Mordan: Take comfort from this: we'll make revenge the medicine to cure this deadly grief.
Maldiov: He has no children! All my little ones? Did you say all of them? Oh, daemon-spawn! All? All my little ones and their mother in one fell swoop?
Mordan: Face this like a man.
Maldiov: I will do so. But I must also feel it like a man. I can only remember these things that were so precious to me. Did the God-Emperor watch this, but do nothing to defend them? Cursed Malgeth! They were killed because of you! I am nothing! For my sins they were killed, not their own. May they rest in peace.
Mordan: Let this be the charge in your sword. Let grief turn to anger, don't blunt your heart, enrage it!
Maldiov: Oh, I could weep with my eyes while ranting with my mouth! But there can be no delay! Bring this fiend of Primus face to face with me! Put him within reach of my power sword. If he escapes, then the Throne may forgive him!
Mordan: Spoken like a man. Come, let's go to the governor. We're ready, and only need to take our leave. Malgeth is ripe for the picking, and the Emperor above girds for war. Take what comfort you can, the night is long that has no dawn.
(They all leave.)