PART FIVE – The First Bit
A room in the Governor's Fortress in Primus. A Medicae and a female Personal Assistant enter.
Medicae: We've been watching her for two nights, but I haven't seen any sign of what you report. When did she last sleepwalk?
Assistant: Since the governor went to war, I have seen her get up, throw on a nightgown, unlock her safe, take out a parchment, fold it, write on it, read it, and then lock it up and return to bed. All without waking up.
Medicae: Very strange, to do such detailed tasks while remaining asleep. While she's sleepwalking, have you seen her perform any other actions, or have you heard her say anything?
Assistant: She has said things that I will not repeat.
Medicae: You can tell me. It may help if you do.
Assistant: Not to you or anyone, since no one can vouch for what I would say.
(Lady Malgeth enters with an old-fashioned candle)
Look, here she comes! This is what she usually does, and I swear she's fast asleep. Keep quiet, and we can watch her.
Medicae: Where did she get that candle?
Assistant: It was on her nightstand. She has ordered that lighted candles be constantly by her bed.
Medicae: But look, her eyes are wide open.
Assistant: Yes, but she's not really seeing anything.
Medicae: What's she doing now? Look at how she's rubbing her hands.
Assistant: It's one of her habits. It's like she's washing her hands. I've seen her do that for a quarter of an hour.
Lady Malgeth: Here's another spot!
Medicae: Listen, she's speaking. I'll record this with my dataslate, so I won't have to rely on my memory.
Lady Malgeth: Out, damned spot! Out I say! One…two bells…then now is the time to do it. The warp is murky. Control yourself my lord! A soldier that is so afraid? Why should we fear who knows, when no one can challenge our power? But who would've thought that old man had so much blood in him?
Medicae: Did you hear that?
Lady Malgeth: The lord of Fyfe had a wife, where is she now? Will my hands never be clean? Stop this, my husband, stop! You'll ruin everything if you can't control yourself!
Medicae: Go on, you know something that you shouldn't.
Assistant: She has told secrets, I'm sure of that. Emperor only knows what she knows.
Lady Malgeth: My hands still smell of blood. All the perfumes known to man cannot camouflage my hands. Oh! Oh! Oh!
Medicae: What a sigh that was! Her heart bears a heavy burden.
Assistant: I wouldn't have a heart like that in my chest. The rest of my body would be embarrassed.
Medicae: Well, well, well…
Assistant: Emperor let it be well, sir!
Medicae: I cannot treat this affliction. But I've known people who walk in their sleep without such burdens weighing upon them.
Lady Malgeth: Wash your hands, get ready for bed. Don't look so scared. I'm telling you, Barthou is buried. He can't come out of his grave.
Medicae: So this is it?
Lady Malgeth: To bed, to bed. Someone's knocking at the gate. Come, come, come, come. Give me your hand. What's done cannot be undone. To bed, to bed, to bed.
(She leaves.)
Medicae: Will she go back to bed?
Assistant: Immediately.
Medicae: Foul whispers are circulating. They say unnatural deeds will breed unnatural troubles, and that disturbed minds will tell their secrets to their pillows. I believe she needs a priest, more than she needs a medicae. God-Emperor forgive us all. Look after her. Try to keep her calm while you keep an eye on her. Good night. I cannot believe what I have seen and heard tonight. I'll keep my thoughts to myself.
Assistant: Good night, medicae.
(They leave.)
PART FIVE – The Second Bit
The country outside Primus. Drums sound the march, and flags of many units are flying. Ty, Catallus, Greim, Ulanti, and Guardsmen enter.
Ty: The forces from Secondus are nearby, led by Mordan, his uncle Seaward, and good Maldiov. They yearn for revenge, for their just causes drive them to battle. Their call to arms would raise the dead.
Greim: We will meet them near Byrnam Wood. They are coming that way.
Catallus: Does anyone know if Delborn is with his brother?
Ulanti: We are certain he is not. I have a file on their leaders. There's Seaward's son, and many other young officers eager for their first battle.
Ty: What's the tyrant doing?
Catallus: He has upgraded the fortifications on the governor's palace. Some say he's gone mad. Others, those who hate him less, say he's got a "valiant fury." But one thing's for certain, he's lost all self-control.
Greim: Now he feels his secret murders sticking to his hands. Every minute revolts punish his breach of faith. Those he leads move by their sense of duty, not out of respect or admiration. He feels his title hanging loosely around him, like an Astarte's cloak on a Squat-sized thief.
Ty: Who can blame his nerves for being shot, when his very being is ashamed at itself for being his?
Catallus: Well then, shall we march on and give our allegiance where it truly belongs? We'll meet the medicine for our ailing homeland, and with him we'll bleed every drop of the sickness from Primus.
Ulanti: Or as much as we need to cultivate the flowers of rule while drowning the weeds. Let's go to Byrnam Wood.
(They march off.)
PART FIVE – The Third Bit
A court in the fortress of the Governor. Malgeth, the Medicae, and Attendants enter.
Malgeth: No more reports! Let them all flee! Until Byrnam Woods comes to the palace, I shall know no fear! And this boy Mordan! Wasn't he born of woman? The spirits that know all of importance in this mortal realm have told me this: "Fear not, Malgeth, for no man that has been born of woman shall ever have power over you". So run, you false lords, and mingle with the Secundus degenerates! My mind and my heart will never wilt with doubt or shake in fear!
(A Servant enters)
Daemons turn you black, you pale lunatic! Why do you look so frightened?
Servant: There are ten thousand-
Malgeth: Chickens, villain?
Servant: Soldiers, sir.
Malgeth: Go slap your face and redden up your cheeks, you lily-livered boy. What soldiers, buffoon? Little deaths take you; your pallid cheeks encourage fear! What soldiers, pale jester?
Servant: The Secundus army, if you please.
Malgeth: Get your face away from me.
(The Servant runs off.)
Sterran! I am sick at heart when I see such… Sterran! This attack will cheer me up forever, or disseat me. I have lived long enough. My way of life has reached its autumn. Everything that should come with old age; love, honor, obedience, throngs of friends; I cannot expect to have. In their place I have curses, not loud, but deeply felt, and lip service, which they pay because they dare not do otherwise. Sterran!
(Sterran enters.)
Sterran: What do you desire, governor?
Malgeth: What's the latest news?
Sterran: We have confirmed all reports.
Malgeth: I'll fight then, until my flesh has been hacked from my bones. Get my armor!
Sterran: It's not needed yet.
Malgeth: I'll put it on anyway. Send out more scouts. Search the country and hang everyone who talks of fear. Get me my armor. How is your patient, medicae?
Medicae: She's not sick, my lord, as much as she is troubled by hallucinations that keep her from sleeping soundly.
Malgeth: Then cure her of that. Can't you sooth a diseased mind? Pluck from memory some deep sorrow or cut out troubles written on the brain? Use some antidote to clear whatever chokes her breast and weighs heavily upon her heart?
Medicae: In this, the patient must cure themselves.
Malgeth: Throw medicine to the dogs, then. It's of no use to me! You, come help me put my armor on. Give me my powerlance. Sterran, find out more. Medicae, the lords run from me. Come on, Sterran, get moving. Medicae, if you could diagnose what's wrong with Primus, find her disease and make her strong and healthy, I would applaud you until the echoes applaud you again. Pull off the bracer, I say. Where is the purgative that would flush the Secundians out? Have you heard about them?
Medicae: Yes, my governor. Your actions have brought them to our notice.
Malgeth: Bring the rest with me. I will not be afraid of death until Byrnam Wood comes to the palace.
(Malgeth and Sterran leave.)
Medicae: If I were away from here, no amount of money would get me back again.
(He leaves.)
PART FIVE – The Fourth Bit
The countryside near Byrnam Wood. The drums sound, and the flags of the rebels mix with the flags from Secundus. Mordan, Seaward, Maldiov, Seaward's Son, Ty, Catallus, Greim, Ulanti, Ran Lo, and Soldiers enter.
Mordan: Kinsman, I hope the day will soon come when we may all sleep safely in our beds.
Ty: We have no doubts.
Seaward: What is this wood ahead of us?
Ty: It's called Byrnam Wood.
Mordan: Tell ever soldier to cut down a bough for himself, and to bear it before him. This will cover the size of our forces, and make their scouts report false numbers.
Soldier: It shall be done.
Seaward: Our scouts report that the tyrant is still in the fortress. He'll wait and let us besiege it.
Mordan: It's his best chance. Whenever they've had a chance to leave, men of all ranks have left him. No one is left to fight for him but mercenaries, and their hearts are in their pockets.
Maldiov: Let our just condemnations wait for the real thing. We must plan the battle carefully.
Seaward: The time comes when we will know what we have and what we owe. Speculative thoughts bring uncertain hope, but certain issues must be decided with action. And so we're off to war.
(They all march off.)
PART FIVE – The Fifth Bit
The same court in the governor's palace. Malgeth, Sterran, and Soldiers enter.
Malgeth: Display our banners on the outer walls. The cry of "Here they come" goes up. Our fortresses' strength will laugh at any pitiful siege. Let them sit until famine and disease takes them! If they hadn't been reinforced with troops that should be ours, we would have met them boldly, face-to-face, and driven them back to their homelands.
(There is a cry of women inside the palace.)
What is that noise?
Sterran: It is the cry of women, my lord.
(He leaves.)
Malgeth: I have almost forgotten the taste of fear. There was a time when such night-shrieks would have chilled me, and such a display would've raised my hair on end. But I am full of horrors. Terrors are familiar to my murderous thoughts. They can't affect me anymore.
(Sterran returns.)
Sterran: The governess, my lord, is dead.
Malgeth: She should have died later, when the time was appropriate for such a thing. Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow creeps by day by day until the end of time. And all of our yesterdays have shown the way for fools to go to death. Out, brief candle! Life's nothing but a walking shadow, a poor actor that struts and struggles during their time upon the stage, and then is gone for good. It is tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, but signifying nothing.
(A Messenger enters.)
You've come to use your tongue, so quick, your news!
Messenger: My lord, I should report what I know I saw, but I don't know how to do it.
Malgeth: Just say it, then!
Messenger: As I stood my watch upon the hills, I looked towards Byrnam. As I watched, I thought the wood began to move.
Malgeth: Lying wretch!
Messenger: I'll endure your wrath, if it isn't so. You can see it coming not three miles away. I say it's a moving forest.
Malgeth: If you are lying, you'll be hung alive upon the nearest tree until starvation takes you. If you speak truly, then I don't care if you do the same to me. I withdraw my resolve, and begin to doubt the prophecy made by the fiend that lies like truth. "Fear not until Byrnam Wood comes to the palace." And now a wood is marching this way. To arms! To arms and to the field! If what he swears does appear, then there is no point in trying to run away or hide within the walls. I begin to grow weary of the sun, and wish the world would just fall apart. Sound the alarm! Come wind! Come ruin! At least I'll die with my armor on.
(They all leave.)
PART FIVE – The Sixth Bit
Before the gates of the governor's fortress. Mordan, Seaward and Maldiov enter with their army. They are all carrying tree branches.
Mordan: We're close enough. Throw down your camouflage so they may see us as we are. You, my uncle, shall take my cousin, your noble son, and will have the honor of leading the first encounter. Maldiov and myself will take charge of the rest, like we planned.
Seaward: Fare you well. If we find his army before the night falls, let us be defeated if we're not prepared to fight!
Maldiov: Let all our trumpets sound. Blow them all, these deafening heralds of blood and death.
(They leave.)
PART FIVE – The Seventh Bit
Another part of the battlefield. Malgeth enters.
Malgeth: They've got me trapped. I cannot escape. Like a beast, I must stand and fight. What kind of man wasn't born of a woman? He's the only one I need to fear.
(Young Seaward enters)
Young Seaward: What is your name?
Malgeth: You'll be afraid to hear it.
Young Seaward: No, not even if you name yourself one of the ruinous powers.
Malgeth: My name is Malgeth.
Young Seaward: The powers themselves could not pronounce a name more hateful to me.
Malgeth: No, nor more frightening!
Young Seaward: You lie, abhorrent tyrant! I'll prove you lie with my sword!
(They draw power swords and fight. Young Seaward is slain.)
Malgeth: You were born of woman! I smile at swords and laugh at weapons when they are brandished by any man who's born of woman!
(Malgeth leaves. The sounds of battle come closer. Maldiov enters, searching for Malgeth.)
Maldiov: The noise came from over there. Tyrant! Show your face! If you are dead by any hand but mine, my wife and children will haunt me forever! I cannot fight these mercenaries, who are hired to wield their weapons. It must be you, Malgeth, or I will sheath my sword unused. You should be here, judging by the noise of battle. Let me find him! I ask for nothing else!
(Mordan and Seaward enter)
Seaward: This way, my lord. The fortress has surrendered without a struggle. They tyrant's troops fight on both sides. The noble lords fight bravely in the war. The day is almost yours, and there's little else to do.
Mordan: We have met some of the enemy, who turned and fought beside us.
Seaward: Enter the fortress, sir.
(Everyone exits. Then Malgeth returns.)
Malgeth: Why should I play the fool and die on my own sword? When I see living foes, the gashes fit better upon them.
(Enter Maldiov)
Maldiov: Turn, hell-hound, turn!
Malgeth: Of all the men on this field, I've only avoided you. Go away! My soul is too drenched with your blood already.
Maldiov: I have no words for you. My sword will do the talking, for you are more bloody than words can paint you!
(They fight)
Malgeth: You're wasting your energy. You'll have an easier time stabbing the air than making me bleed. Let your blade fall on vulnerable heads, for mine is charmed, and I cannot be harmed by any man born of woman.
Maldiov: Then lose hope in your charm, and let the demon you serve tell you this: Maldiov was ripped from his mother's womb.
Malgeth: Accursed is the tongue that tells me this, for it has undone my courage! Let no one believe these manipulating fiends that speak in double talk. They whisper promises in our ear, and break them with our hope. I won't fight you.
Maldiov: Then surrender, you coward, and live to be made an example for our time! We'll have your picture on a pole like the carnival freaks, and the sign will read "Here you can see The Tyrant."
Malgeth: I will not yield so I can kiss the ground beneath young Mordan's feet, or so that the rabble can taunt and curse me. Even though Byrnam Wood has come, and you, who were not born of woman, oppose me, I will keep fighting. I'll keep my warrior's shield before my body. Fight on, Maldiov, and damned be the one who first cries "Stop, enough!"
(They exit, fighting. Mordan, Seaward, Ran Lo, and other Lords and Guardsmen enter.)
Mordan: I wish our missing friends were safely here.
Seaward: Some must die. But from what I can see, a day as great as this was cheaply bought.
Mordan: Maldiov is missing, and your valiant son.
Ran Lo: Your son, my lord has paid a soldier's price. He lived long enough to be a man. No sooner had he proved his prowess in battle, where he fought courageously, then like a man he died.
Seaward: Then he is dead?
Ran Lo: Yes, and borne from the battlefield. Don't measure your sorrow by his worth, for then you would grieve forever.
Seaward: Were his wounds on his front?
Ran Lo: Yes, on the front.
Seaward: Well then, he is a soldier for the God-Emperor! If I had as many sons as I have hairs, then I couldn't wish them a better death. His bell has tolled.
Mordan: He's worth more sorrow, and I'll grieve for him!
Seaward: He's worth no more. They say he died well and made his mark. And so God-Emperor be with him. Here comes newer comfort.
(Maldiov enters, carrying Malgeth's head on a pole.)
Maldiov: Hail, governor, for so you are! Behold where the cursed usurper's head now stands! We are free! I see that you are surrounded by Primus' finest, and they speak my greetings with their minds. Shout along with me! Hail, Governor of Primus!
All: Hail! Governor of Primus!
Mordan: We will not spend too much time before we express our gratitude and repay what we owe you. My lords and kinsman, from here on, you shall be known as Nobles, the first that Primus has ever known. But there's more to do, now that we're starting anew. We must recall our exiled friends, who fled the snares of the tyrant. We must find the agents of this dead butcher and his fiendish lady, who, we have heard, took her own life. These things, and whatever else needs doing, by the Throne Above, we will do in the appropriate time and place. So thanks to you all, and we invite all of you to our coronation.
(They all leave.)