/>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\\
\\ /
/ The Art of Integrity \\
\\ by Zia Talnara /
/ \\
\\____________________________/

For Shadow and Light are one.

=-=-=
CAST:
=-=-=

Rheonn, the Shadowcaster
Dak
Lady Irina Atalai, Beacon of Celest
Blademaster Trenaar Goru
Handmaid of Luciphage, Narabi Duskstar
Sir Sileas Trent
Nate Reev, Initiate

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Directing Notes:
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

- The Interludes and Finale may be sung alone or with accompaniment, or
delivered in any other manner the director prefers.
- If few actors are available, the play may be performed with four cast as
the following parts: Rheonn, Irina/Narabi, Sileas/Dak, and Trenaar/Nate.

=-=-=-=-=-=-
ACT I: TRUST
=-=-=-=-=-=-

- Scene 1 -

{Scene: The room here is tastefully decorated with an eye to showing off the
owner's wealth. A second glance, however, might reveal that the designer must
have cared very little for the comfort of anyone within. The stunning
chandeliers and wall scones illuminate expensive paintings and tapestries, but
are also bright enough to make guests want to shield their eyes. Perhaps to
preserve the finery, the window overlooking the Pool of Stars is tightly
closed, and the air here moves very little.}

-

[The Pool of Stars pulses softly with a sudden flux of power, and the scant
shadows in the brightly-lit office flicker.]

IRINA: walks in slowly with her focus buried in an open ledger, side-stepping
an ornate end table without glancing up.

[An impatient knock resonates through the room.]

IRINA: closes the ledger slowly as she takes a seat behind her over-sized desk.
She folds her hands together and leans forward.

IRINA: (briskly) "Come."

TRENAAR: shuffles in quickly, letting out an impatient snort.

IRINA: raises a webbed hand to stop Trenaar before he can speak, and then
gestures regally to a chair before her desk.

IRINA: (pleasantly) "Do take a seat."

TRENAAR: scowls, but sits heavily on the proffered chair.

IRINA: (unable to hide her excitement) "How did the arrangements go?"

TRENAAR: (grudgingly) "The girl demanded more, as you expected."

IRINA: (murmuring mostly to herself) "We can expect no less from forest ilk."

TRENAAR: (in better humour) But the extra power was more than enough for her.

TRENAAR: then frowns deeply, tapping his fingers on the chair's armrest.

TRENAAR: (gruffly) "I little trust the girl, and I loathe the thought of any
strength from our Pool empowering a spawn of Glomdoring."

IRINA: (hiding her displeasure) "You know none can enter Magnagora under the
blessing of the Light."

TRENAAR: grunts indifferently. He crosses his arms against his chest.

IRINA: (her tone lightening) "Besides, a promise is not an actuality."

TRENAAR: follows Irina's gaze as she turns her head to view the Pool of Stars
through the window behind her.

IRINA: coughs delicately and leans forward to catch Trenaar's eye.

IRINA: "She will only get her reward if she survives the experience."

IRINA: (with sudden grimness) "And between the Tainted and our own people, I
would venture her chances are slim."

TRENAAR: allows himself a small smile.

TRENAAR: "It will happen in the new of the Moon."

TRENAAR: rises to his feet and strides from the room, not bothering to say a
further word.

IRINA: leans back with a smirk of satisfaction.

IRINA: (whispering aloud as though unable to contain her excitement) "The new
moon... Narabi will never see it coming."

IRINA: (glancing through the window at the Pool of Stars again) "Lady Irina
Atalai, Bane of Magnagora..."

IRINA: laughs aloud.

IRINA: serenely opens her ledger again. Making a few marks on the page, she
stands and turns to leave the room.

--------------
Interlude:
A moment's peace before the day:
tranquility returns.
Hands need hands to find their way
before the sunrise burns.
--------------

- Scene 2 -

{Scene: This one-room house shows signs of being lived in, but there are
surprisingly few possessions laid out on the shelves. A simple wooden table is
the centrepiece to the room. Someone has scattered thread and a bolt of silk
across its surface as though preparing to sew a garment. A hammock in the far
corner looks to be big enough for two.}

{Prop - A redcap: Spindly and stubborn, this redcap looks as though it has
taken a beating or two, though its adoring looks at its mistress hint that she
is not the one who has administered them.}

-

DAK: walks in carrying an armful of wood, his bare feet making no sound on the
dirt floor.

DAK: begins stacking wood by the fireplace, forming neat pyramids.

[The door opens quickly, banging against the wall with some force.]

RHEONN: steps through the door, carrying a redcap tenderly in her arms.

DAK: glances behind him and drops the wood unceremoniously.

RHEONN: "This time it's not so serious, Dak."

RHEONN: (barely able to contain a laugh) "The job went well!"

DAK: silently clears the table, swiveling one ear to listen to her.

RHEONN: sets her fae down on the cleared space and extracts a bandage from her
satchel.

[A redcap snivels and whimpers.]

RHEONN: (As she binds the redcap's arm tightly) "Hush. "

RHEONN: (to Dak) "And you will not believe the new job I have found."

RHEONN: sets her fae back on its feet and urges it out the door.

[A redcap whines at its mistress before disappearing out of sight.]

DAK: (in a peculiar, soft voice) "Dangerous?"

RHEONN: (smiling sweetly) "The best jobs are..."

DAK: seats himself at the little table, leaning forward on his elbows as he
watches Rheonn with his characteristic feline alertness.

RHEONN: glances out the window and then draws the shutters closed firmly before
turning back to the table.

RHEONN: (very softly) "Celest has hired me for a job in Magnagora."

DAK: (raising an eyebrow) "I thought you preferred the Mags?"

RHEONN: (gesturing absently) "So to speak."

RHEONN: paces the short length of the room moodily.

RHEONN: "I have scheduled an audience with that Nihilist, Narabi."

DAK: sets an apple on the table as Rheonn passes, nodding to himself as she
stops to pick it up.

RHEONN: (turning the apple in her hands) "I have a plan."

DAK: tilts his head in keen interest.

RHEONN: glances down at Dak and smiles warmly.

RHEONN: (after a pause) "Well, Celest has created... some sort of destructive
energy that they want placed in the Megalith and then returned to them to be
placed in the Pool of Stars. I have learned through other sources that it will
leech a significant amount of power."

DAK: "And they could not recruit some zealous person just out of the Portal to
pretend to be there by accident?"

RHEONN: (hesitating) "They think the Geomancers will sense it."

DAK: leans back in his chair, eyes boring into Rheonn.

RHEONN: (very low) "I have a plan."

RHEONN: suddenly catches Dak by the hand.

RHEONN: (fervently) "You must trust me. I will tell her only truth, but not the
whole truth, and if I succeed it will be better for us."

DAK: suddenly rises to his feet in one smooth motion, taking Rheonn into his
arms to kiss her.

RHEONN: (barely whispering) "I know. I love you, too."

RHEONN and DAK: {exit silent}

--------------
Interlude:
Battle draws us in the morn.
It twists the world within.
Lo, the angel's boundless scorn,
the demon's feral grin.
--------------

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
ACT II: TREACHERY
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

- Scene 1 -

{Scene: Bare stone walls glisten with accumulated moisture here, a cold room
decorated sparsely. A single item of furniture stands out from the rest on a
dais, a thorn-covered throne placed in the centre. The only light in the room
filters in through windows set high in the walls and two candelabras, one on
either side of the throne.}

{Prop - A hideous archdemon: Grotesque and misshapen, this demon follows Narabi
with adoration, but also an air of righteous expectation, as though it believes
it is owed tribute for its services.}

-

[The earth rumbles softly in the city of Magnagora.]

NARABI: saunters in trailed by her archdemon.

NARABI: pauses to stretch her wings to their full span. She gives them a shake
and a couple of feathers fall to the stone floor.

[A hideous archdemon eagerly snatches up the feathers and devours them.]

NARABI: (glancing coolly at her demon) "Shh, we have company."

NARABI: beckons with one pale hand to the shadows. She turns to ascend the dais
to her throne as Rheonn emerges from her hiding place.

RHEONN: {enter silent}

RHEONN: (inclining her head politely) "You received my message."

NARABI: (taking her place on the throne) "And grateful I am that you sent it,
for had you begun to explain these happenings in person I may have had you
killed before you had time to finish."

RHEONN: smiles tightly.

NARABI: (to Rheonn, beckoning her demon closer) "We have reason to be thankful
that you have decided to ally with us instead of that puritanical Irina."

NARABI: (musing over her demon's profile) "But one has to wonder why you
accepted. I am afraid your letter was not clear on this point."

RHEONN: (approaching the throne) "The Light is little loved in Glomdoring, my
Lady."

NARABI: (her eyes going abruptly red) "Magnagora is little loved by some of
your own folk, Rheonn-of-Glomdoring. Do not try my patience."

[A hideous demon shifts position at its mistress's side as the two women stare
at each other.]

RHEONN: "Then know that I have chosen a side and an affiliation outside of my
duty to Mother Night and Glomdoring. I merely see this as an opportunity to..."

NARABI: (demandingly) "To try my patience? To waste my time?"

[A hideous demon lets out an eerie, keening sound in response to Narabi's
anger.]

NARABI: turns to soothe her companion.

RHEONN: (slowly) "An opportunity to make a mockery of Celest, if not hurt them
outright."

NARABI: goes very still before turning to face Rheonn again, the fire in her
eyes turned to cool calculation.

NARABI: "Go on."

RHEONN: (clasping her hands together to hide their shaking) "Irina expects me
to sneak into Magnagora when Mother Night is strongest..."

NARABI: (her eyes cold) "We watch at the new moon as well as the full."

RHEONN: nods in acknowledgement.

RHEONN: "She expects me to creep into the city that night with a weapon. The
Geomancers will sense its power, but I am to fight my way to the Megalith of
Doom and put it inside."

RHEONN: turns her face to the small window as though contemplating the waning
moon, but her face tightens as she glances covertly at Narabi.

NARABI: waits impassively, her expression steady, but her hand tightens into a
fist and her archdemon keens again.

[The earth itself rumbles under their feet, and Rheonn takes a quick step to
maintain her balance.]

RHEONN: "I wish to feign this event, so that when I return the object to New
Celest it will unleash its destruction upon the Pool."

NARABI: faces her demon, one hand set tenderly on its grotesque cheek as she
thinks.

[A hideous demon lets out a hoarse cackle as it stares fixedly at Rheonn.]

NARABI: "Why does Celest wish this object returned once its use is done?"

RHEONN: (without hesitating) "I was only given my instructions, but likely they
do not want you to extract the weapon and learn how to construct your own."

NARABI: nods thoughtfully.

NARABI: (coldly) "Very well. You will come at the dark moon, and the fight will
be real enough for Irina's ears."

NARABI: (her pointed teeth showing against her lips as she scowls) "You will
place nothing more harmful than faeriefire in the Megalith, or I will throw you
broken and bleeding to Gorgulu with my own hands."

RHEONN: (mildly) "It is understood so."

NARABI: (waving her hand dismissively) "Go, and tell the attendant to send for
Sileas."

RHEONN: shivers involuntarily before turning to leave.

NARABI: smiles a humourless smile as she folds her hands together in her lap.

[A hideous demon nudges against the side of the throne, its head lolling back
and forth.]

NARABI: (in a whisper to her demon) "It will be their humiliation if she has
her joke, and their humiliation if their hired thug dies to our hand."

[A hideous demon opens its gaping mouth in a drooling grin.]

SILEAS: walks in, immediately approaching the throne and kneeling humbly to
greet Narabi.

NARABI: stretches one of her wings to its full length languidly before
gesturing for Sileas to rise.

NARABI: (briskly) "There will be an attack on the Megalith."

SILEAS: stands silently, a sudden frown darkening his face.

NARABI: (lowering her voice) "It will come on the new moon."

SILEAS: (with measured surprise) "Glomdoring?"

NARABI: "No, Celest. They have hired a Shadowdancer. I expect you to kill her
before she reaches the Megalith. Consider it ... a test of your skill and
leadership."

NARABI: gestures absently.

SILEAS: (flatly) "It will be done."

NARABI: (in a dangerous purr) "I will be most upset if you fail."

[The two stare at each other, the woman shrewd and the man openly determined.
Finally, Narabi silently lifts her pale hand and points to the door.]

SILEAS: leaves without a further word.

[The echoes of Sileas's footsteps fade away into silence.]

NARABI: leans back in her throne, a cruel satisfaction on her face.

[A hideous demon throws back its maw and howls in dark jubilation. The sound
pierces the heart and seems to chill the very air.]

NARABI: stands and wraps her wings warmly around herself.

NARABI: walks out with her archdemon limping at her heels.

--------------
Interlude:
Betrayal threatens at the noon,
no darker deed than this.
The living join the dead too soon,
the dead their living miss.
--------------

- Scene 2 -

{Scene: There is no moon in the sky, and the stars only dimly illuminate the
street before the Megalith of Doom. It is a dark and magnificent structure,
somehow radiating the power it holds within. A small abandoned cart with a
broken wheel lays to the left, and someone has strewn birdseed across part of
the cobblestone.}

{Prop - An overturned cart: This broken cart lying on its side is unremarkable
except that the jagged spokes on its broken wheel seem dangerous. A small
person might have room to squeeze into the interior and be just out of sight.}

{Prop - A redcap: (see Act I, Scene 2)}

{Prop - The fae: Rheonn's fae are a scattered group of varying faces and
shapes. Shadows bind them tightly to her service. When still, they blend easily
into the night.}

-

[A feeble beam of starlight pierces the clouds above. Slowly the light floods
the room and reveals the Megalith of Doom.]

[Shouting erupts from somewhere out of sight, and then the sound of running
footsteps approaches.]

RHEONN: runs into sight, her face pale and frightened. She clutches at a bloody
wound in her stomach as she looks frantically around.

[There is another shout, closer this time, and more footsteps can be heard
approaching rapidly.]

RHEONN: fixates on an abandoned cart lying on its side and sprints towards it.

RHEONN: fumbles in panic before she catches hold of the ring around her finger
and twists it. In her hurry, she sets the jagged, broken wheel on the cart
spinning slowly.

RHEONN: ducks into the bed of the cart even as she shrinks, drawing her hood
over her face to conceal herself.

SILEAS: hurries in with the guard.

NATE: "I feel it close."

SILEAS: (sharply) "Is it in the Megalith?"

NATE: shakes his head tightly.

SILEAS: (in a dangerous undertone) "Find the witch."

SILEAS: (turning to the rest of the guard) "Spread out. Block the port and
gates, then search the streets."

[The rest of the guards disperse in different directions.]

RHEONN: holds her breath and curls up tighter as a mugwump bard passes near her
hiding place.

SILEAS: (turning to the Geomancer) "Can you pinpoint its location?"

RHEONN: leans forward as she silently begins releasing shadows from her
cauldron.

NATE: (reluctantly) "I am afraid not..."

[Shadows spread across the ground, swirling unseen against the men's ankles.]

SILEAS: suddenly fixates on the slowly revolving wheel on the cart and narrows
his eyes.

SILEAS: (very quietly wielding his flail) "Is this area in your demesnes?"

NATE: presses his lips together and shakes his head. He raises his hands to
draw the tainted land into his command.

RHEONN: suddenly erupts from the cover of the cart. An eerie, ethereal song on
her lips draws her scattered fae to her side as she makes a sharp gesture at
the shadows churning on the ground.

SILEAS: (as he lifts his flail in rage) "Guard! Sh--"

[The shadow suddenly becomes as a living entity, clustering around the three
and wrapping around them, clutching at their clothes, clinging to their feet,
knotting around their limbs.]

[A dreadful barghest howls and Nate freezes in terror.]

RHEONN: turns on her heel urgently, not heeding the shadows that slow her down
as she forces herself step by step closer to the Megalith.

SILEAS: ignores his paralysed companion as he pursues. His muscles strain
against the agonizing slowness.

RHEONN: lifts a sphere from within her clothing towards the Megalith. It
glistens with an oily white light.

SILEAS: forces his hand out inch by inch to catch Rheonn by the shoulder.

RHEONN: thrusts the sphere into the Megalith as she feels the hand close upon
her cloak.

[A glittering sphere goes dark.]

[Flaring to blinding brilliance, the sphere pulses and a low thrumming pervades
the air.]

[The Megalith erupts in faeriefire as a tremendous force bursts forth from it,
almost tangible in its intensity. The three people are pushed to the ground.]

SILEAS: stifles a gasp as he falls back against the wheel of the overturned
cart.

[The shadows abruptly seem to weaken, loosening their grasp on the people, and
then dissipate.]

RHEONN: scrambles deftly to her feet and runs towards the fiery Megalith.

SILEAS: grits his teeth and slowly stands upright.

[Blood runs freely from the hole in Sileas's side where the wheel's jagged
spoke was forced into his body.]

SILEAS: lurches forward, one hand pressed tightly to the wound.

RHEONN: reaches into the Megalith boldly and extracts the sphere.

[The Megalith shudders and the faeriefire blinks out instantly.]

RHEONN: carefully wraps the amber sphere and thrusts it into her robes before
turning around.

SILEAS: swings his flail and sneers as it connects to the side of Rheonn's
head.

RHEONN: cries out and nearly falls, but before Sileas can land another blow she
touches a bracelet she wears and a gust of wind knocks him backwards.

[The fae move to attack Sileas.]

RHEONN: suddenly pauses and lifts her face to the sky, her eyes briefly
unfocused. Her ear and head bleed openly and she makes no move to staunch the
flow.

SILEAS: (as he struggles against the fae) "Nate, stop her!"

NATE: stares wide-eyed for a long moment before he darts forward towards
Rheonn.

RHEONN: points her athame at Nate and raises an eyebrow.

NATE: stops abruptly, uncertainty overwhelming him.

RHEONN (addressing Sileas in a ringing voice) "I have been deceived, and so
have I deceived you. I read in the stars that time is short for the city of
Magnagora, and the forests shall laugh as it falls."

[The Megalith of Doom sways alarmingly.]

RHEONN: quickly drops an iridescent spore on the back of her hand and snorts
it.

[The Megalith shivers, but the forces stopping travel in the area have
weakened, and Rheonn disappears, pulled by the power of her mushroom circle.]

RHEONN: {exit silent}

NATE: (in bewilderment) "How did she...? What did she do to th--?"

SILEAS: interrupts with an uncontrolled howl, and he turns all his rage on the
redcap close to him.

[A redcap wails and bites at its attacker with the rest of the shadow fae.]

SILEAS: grits his teeth as he bleeds profusely, but continues his assault.

[A redcap falls to the ground, thrashing and whining in the dirty street.]

[The fae lift their heads as one as though hearing a silent call, and depart.
Only the redcap remains as one last blow from the flail claims its life.]

SILEAS: (pain in his voice) "Nate... chervil, please, I need..."

SILEAS: sags where he stands, his face deathly pale as the flail falls from his
hand.

NATE: darts forward to steady the older man.

SILEAS: limps out slowly, leaning on Nate for support.

NATE: {exit silent}

--------------
Interlude:
Sword on sword will ring on high
and blood flow in the eve.
The gallant knight would never lie,
the Light would never thieve.
--------------

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
ACT III - TRIUMPH
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

- Scene 1 -

{Scene: The Pool of Stars is centred within the boundless Mystic River of the
Elemental plane. Pure water flows without ceasing around its pristine base,
reflecting the stars far above. Ripples spread through the pure water in time
to the waves of power spreading through the plane. The moon is still dark in
the sky.}

-

TRENAAR: arrives through the Pool of Stars, a spray of water misting the air as
he appears.

[A wave of energy rolls through the Water elemental plane.]

TRENAAR: glances up at the new moon in the sky. A frown darkens his face.

TRENAAR: snorts in derision and paces moodily before the Pool, every now and
again glancing again to the heavens.

[Water splashes down, and then Rheonn emerges from a whirlpool, landing lightly
on her feet.]

RHEONN: {enter silent}

RHEONN: staggers in a near-swoon. One trembling hand lifts to touch the
congealing blood on the side of her head.

TRENAAR: (lifting his chin arrogantly) "You are late, girl."

RHEONN: (icily) "I was a little busy escaping with your prize."

TRENAAR: waves his hand dismissively.

TRENAAR: (with a peculiar gruffness) "You... seem weak."

RHEONN: (suddenly angry) "Most of my blood is decorating the streets of
Magnagora. Are you daft?"

TRENAAR: narrows his eyes briefly, but then merely lets out a harsh laugh.

TRENAAR: (bowing grandly with a sweeping gesture towards the Pool of Stars)
"Will you do the honours, my lady?"

RHEONN: sways on her feet in indecision.

TRENAAR: (with sarcastic politeness) "You have done the work, after all."

RHEONN: flashes a glare at the taurian. She straightens her back and approaches
the Pool of Stars.

TRENAAR: silently draws his broadsword.

RHEONN: carefully unwraps the oily white sphere and slides it into the Pool.

[A glittering sphere goes dark.]

[As the thrumming sound echoes from the Pool and the sphere pulses, Rheonn
braces herself for the impact. Trenaar follows her lead.]

[Faeriefire bursts from the Pool, clinging to its silhouette as a palpable
energy blasts away from it.]

RHEONN: barely manages to keep her feet, grabbing the edge of the pool for
support as she dizzily sways.

TRENAAR: regains his balance quickly and approaches.

RHEONN: finally turns away from the Pool to face the taurian.

TRENAAR: slides his blade into the woman almost without any effort. A look of
near-tenderness comes over his face.

RHEONN: opens her mouth as though to speak, her face paling considerably as she
reaches for the sword in her stomach.

TRENAAR: (gruff and gentle at once) "Shh... you knew this would happen."

RHEONN: stares mutely at Trenaar. She tries to grab the blade, only cutting her
hands badly.

TRENAAR: "Now, now..."

TRENAAR: glances over at the Pool alight with flame.

TRENAAR: (pinning Rheonn effortlessly as she struggles) "Look at it, girl. The
power... the power of New Celest, a flame to burn away the Taint of infernal
Magnagora."

TRENAAR: (to Rheonn) "And that twisted forest of yours as well."

RHEONN: abruptly loosens her hold on the blade and slaps Trenaar hard, leaving
a bloody handprint on his cheek.

TRENAAR: (gritting his teeth) "That was a bad move. But I suppose you were
going to die anyway."

TRENAAR: wrenches the blade out of Rheonn, a gaping wound opening her stomach.

RHEONN: lets out a shrill scream. She arches her back as she grabs at her
midsection, and then she falls into the shallow water at the base of the Pool.

TRENAAR: watches intently as the woman gasps.

RHEONN: goes limp. She lets out a breath in a slow, agonized moan, and then
breathes no more.

[Clouds of blood disperse through the Mystic River.]

TRENAAR: prods Rheonn harshly with his foot. He bends to hold his hand briefly
in front of her mouth to check for breath. When he stands again, he seems
satisfied.

[A tremor stirs the water in the Pool of Stars.]

TRENAAR: peers at the nexus and frowns deeply.

[The Pool shifts and settles lower in the river.]

TRENAAR: steps past the body and looks worriedly at the water swirling in the
Pool.

RHEONN: opens one eye and then closes it again. She very slowly uncorks a vial
in her hands and spreads the salve within on her gaping wound, biting her lip
hard to stay silent.

[The flesh seals itself under the salve.]

TRENAAR: reaches into the Pool and pulls out the sphere.

[The harmless flames around the Pool flicker and disappear. The structure
shudders alarmingly.]

RHEONN: slides slowly to her feet behind Trenaar, pale but steady.

[The Pool turns darker, as though mud is swirling in its depths.]

TRENAAR: lets out a horrified cry and drops the sphere and his sword. He
fumbles helplessly as though somehow he might purify the waters again.

RHEONN: bends down to retrieve the sphere before it can be swept away, groaning
involuntarily in pain.

TRENAAR: whirls around and stands in shock as he sees Rheonn.

RHEONN: (to Trenaar, pointing her athame at his heart with some effort) "I care
not for your petty squabbles. The cities are temporary, a child's sandcastle
doomed to fall at the next wave."

RHEONN: spits on the ground in disgust.

RHEONN: (stepping swiftly forward to press the point of her athame into the
hollow of Trenaar's throat) "There will come a day in my life when the wyrden
woods shall spread through your precious streets and tear down your pretty,
useless walls."

[Sparkling motes of light suddenly surround Rheonn and she backs away slowly,
still on alert.]

TRENAAR: (with a growl) "I shall stop--"

RHEONN: (fiercely) "I let you live this day so that you will see it happen and
despair."

[The light settles around Rheonn, and then she is drawn from the weakened
influence of the Pool of Stars and out of sight.]

RHEONN: {exit silent}

TRENAAR: (as he clenches his fists) "I will die first."

TRENAAR: slams his fist into the Pool of Stars hard enough to break skin.

[A drop or two of Trenaar's blood falls into the dark, bloody water already
swirling around the base of the Pool.]

TRENAAR: enters the Pool of Stars and disappears.

--------------
Interlude:
Night compels us into dreams
and all is made surreal.
None know the truth from what it seems,
or what they think and feel.
--------------

- Scene 2 -

{Scene: The twisted Master Ravenwood dominates this place. To one side, the
archway to Faethorn is placed. There is an eerie, barren beauty to the wyrden
forest surrounding, something cold and threatening in its exquisite
unnaturalness.}

{Prop - The fae: (See Act II, Scene 2)}

-

DAK: steps through the archway, carrying Rheonn carefully in his arms.

RHEONN: {enter silent}

DAK: places Rheonn gently on the ground beside the Master Ravenwood tree. He
crouches beside her and gently touches her pallid cheek.

RHEONN: moans softly and opens her eyes.

DAK: (very slowly as he spreads an ointment on Rheonn's hands) "You told me to
summon and so I did, but I did not expect you half-dead."

RHEONN: wearily averts her eyes to her hands as Dak ties a bandage around them.

RHEONN: (shakily) "They're so stiff... Do you think I will still be able to
sew?"

DAK: (grabbing Rheonn roughly by the wrist) Stop. You owe me an explanation.

RHEONN: draws herself upright and lifts her chin.

RHEONN: "I have fooled two warriors and their cities. I think a little pain was
worth the reward..."

DAK: stares at Rheonn without comment, a grim set to his jaw.

RHEONN: (to Dak, catching his hand and wincing slightly) Thank you for teaching
me dramatics... It saved my life.

DAK: nods, but remains silent.

RHEONN: sighs and draws two spheres from her robes, each glinting amber in the
starlight. She lays them out on the ground and then places a third sphere, oily
and white, beside them.

RHEONN: (gesturing at the spheres) "One of these will leech power from the
Megalith, and another from the Pool. But this other..."

RHEONN: lays a finger on the white sphere.

DAK: (giving Rheonn a sharp look) "Our own nexus?"

RHEONN: (laughing hoarsely) "Magnagora will blame Celest, and perhaps
Glomdoring. Celest will blame Glomdoring--I made sure of that. The forest will
find the truth of the spheres from Magnagora and quite possibly rally against
Celest. I care not, truly! None will find us! Perhaps they will all blame the
Serenwilde and wipe it from the face of the Basin!"

DAK: leans back on his heels and glances at the sky.

DAK: "I would think Celest only gave you one of these."

RHEONN: "Their power minister found me very charming before she disappeared."

RHEONN: glances at her fae, a sadness flooding her face as she notices that the
redcap is missing.

[The first glimmer of dawn rises against the far horizon.]

DAK: (calmly) "What shall we do with the power?"

RHEONN: (laying an arm around Dak) "Our own commune, perhaps?"

DAK: tilts an ear towards her with reserved interest.

RHEONN: "Perhaps in the Razines, or maybe Skarch. By the time they realize, it
will be far too late."

RHEONN: spreads her hands helplessly, smiling.

DAK: "And if I refuse?"

RHEONN: (carelessly) "You will not."

DAK: (getting slowly to his feet) "I have lived fifty years in Glomdoring, and
you--"

RHEONN: "Seven. Seven years is enough."

DAK: shakes his head silently.

RHEONN: (shaking with anger) "Dak, I love you. I did all of this for us!"

RHEONN: stares stubbornly up at her lover.

DAK: (gruffly) "And if I say no?"

RHEONN: opens her mouth, shuts it, and then takes a deep, calming breath.

RHEONN: (simply) "Then I will go alone, and beg that you keep my confidence."

DAK: surveys Rheonn carefully from her anxious face to her bandaged hands held
in her lap.

DAK: "All right. I will go if it means this much to you."

RHEONN: (smiling slowly) "A test."

DAK: smiles a little, his pointed teeth showing against his lips, and offers
Rheonn his hand.

DAK: "We had best do this now before your antics last night move them to post a
guard."

RHEONN: takes his hand and draws herself to her feet. She pauses a moment as
though steadying herself and then nods.

DAK: collects the spheres and lays an arm securely around Rheonn.

RHEONN: leans her cheek momentarily against Dak's shoulder. Greed glints in her
eyes, and she smiles.

[The two figures leave through the Master Ravenwood tree, so close that their
hips touch as they walk.]

DAK and RHEONN: {exit silent}

--------------
Finale:
The dawn will come, with it the sun.
Another turn will rise.
A web is woven, laid, and spun
with truth the same as lies.
--------------

=-=-=-=-=
COSTUMES:
=-=-=-=-=

Rheonn, the Shadowchaser
Vivid golden eyes stand out against this young elfen's dusky brown skin,
and her small frame is wreathed in ebony silk robes. She seems to blend easily
into any shadow, disappearing almost entirely when she draws her hood up to
cover her dark blonde hair and the single diamond earring she wears in her
pointed ear. An athame is ever at her side.

Dak
This lean aslaran has a wary, narrow face, the dark fur along his jaw line
starting to show a hint of grey. He is barefoot and clad only in his well-worn
leather armour, a silvery lute near at hand.

Lady Irina Atalai, Beacon of Celest
Tall and imposing, this wiry merian is always tense and on alert. Her
cool, pale blue skin glistens with moisture, and her fingers are webbed. The
gaze of her narrowed black eyes is piercing. She wears extravagent ocean-blue
robes sewn with gold thread.

Blademaster Trenaar Goru
Something unpredictable surrounds this taurian's mighty frame. The skin
that shows around his bulky full plate is reddened as though to match the light
fur of his kind. His eyes are simply grey.

Handmaid of Luciphage, Narabi Duskstar
Delicate and slender, this elegant trill has fair skin and pearly white
feathers upon her head. Her wings are downy soft and coloured dove grey.
Something about her pink eyes is feral and wild, however, and they flash red in
the heat of her temper. She wears pale blue robes with runes embroidered in
black around the hem.

Sir Sileas Trent
Exceptionally tall and yet thin to the point of being emaciated, this
older viscanti would not seem imposing except for the look of grim
determination on his face and the sheer steel of will reflected in his icy blue
eyes. The insignia of Magnagora is displayed proudly on his full plate armour.

Nate Reev, Initiate
Not more than seventeen or eighteen years old, this human seems
perpetually startled and uneasy. His blonde hair defies any sense of order,
long enough to fall awkwardly forward into his big brown eyes. He is wearing
plain clothing and has scant jewellery. Even the canvas pack slung over his
shoulder seems mostly empty.