Rise and Fall (All's Fair In Politics).

A Play in Two Acts

"A Hallifaxian official is murdered in plain view in the midst of a whirling
society ball - but the murderer denies all knowledge of the deed..."

Principals:

Irin Longwing, a servant in the service of the Cloudwalker Gallery. Spends his
days carrying deliveries of gems from the lower wards to the Master Galleries.

Hamara Hanning, a reporter for the Ministry of Information.

Ashela Irring, Ministry of Information. Crystal engineer.

Kanun Terat, an ambitious scientist and politician

Supporting cast:

Shano Bluefeather, another servant of the lower wards.

Irko Lanket, a reporter for the Ministry of Information.

Ser'kix Terat, brother of Kanun. Employee of the Ministry of Information,
enchanter, and crystal engineer.

Lakur Eepex, Minister of Peace

Other characters:

Lady Eestra Aalino, a higher caste scientist. Wife of Anlirk Aalino.

Lord Anlirk Aalino, Execumatrix Magnificus in the Institute.

Lord Infinen Cloudwalker, Patriarch of the Cloudwalker family

Act I Scene I

Scene: Two young male trill are at work in a section of the lower wards, an area
with stark crystal walls clean to the point of sterility. One servant is
carrying a heavy load of gemstones, the other clutching a delivery order. Set
above their heads nearby is a huge lightboard, its surface displaying a moving
image of hard-working trill and lucidian servants.

Irin Longwing stops and lowers a bag of gemstones to the floor, stretching his
aching back.

Shano Bluefeather: Irin, there is no time, you know how impatient Lord
Cloudwalker can be.

Irin Longwing: I'm just so tired, I can hardly walk....

Shano Bluefeather: That's what you get for watching the adverts of the
Commissariat of Plebian Recreation. How late were you gaming last night?

Irin Longwing: It's not that, Shano, I swear. I was asleep by midnight.

Shano Bluefeather: Of course, cousin, of course.

Irin does not respond. His attention has been caught by the lightboard overhead,
whose image has changed. It now displays the figure of a well-known lucidian
official, black-robed and blue-skinned, surrounded by an entourage of servants.
A trill servant in red clothes darts into view, clearly wielding a long knife.
He stabs the lucidian, who falls to the ground lifeless. The trill servant
escapes, and the image fades, only to begin once more.

Shano Bluefeather: (frowning) Oh, that. I've seen it a lot today.

Irin remains absorbed, seemingly mesmerised by the scene.

Shano Bluefeather: (nervously) Irin?

Shano grabs Irin's arm and shakes him, but is unable to break in upon his
reverie. Irin continues to stare at the lightboard, his face blank, his eyes
huge.

Act I Scene II

The scene shimmers and shifts as Irin Longwing and Shano Bluefeather fade from
view. A crowd of trill and lucidian workers and apprentices is gathered outside
of a soaring crystal spire, its magnificent doors thrown wide open. A steady
stream of finely dressed people makes its way inside the building, clearly
nobles and dignitaries of Hallifax and other cities. Doormen guard the entryway,
checking the invitations of each guest and bowing low, ushering them inside.

Hamara Hanning positions herself on the edge of the crowds, finding a space with
a clear view of the guests. She retrieves a glowing crystal audio device from
her satchel and begins to speak clearly.

Hamara Hanning: Hamara Hanning for the Ministry of Information, Section for
Public Records. I am here at the opening of the most glitteringly sophisticated
event of the year. It's Hallifax, of course, and the occasion is a wedding of
state. Jurik Oolin, Chairman of the Board of Directors, has just married
Amaxinar Kipex, daughter of the Temporal Primus, and - and here they are now!

A pair of stately lucidians passes in a flurry of fine fabrics, followed by an
impromptu entourage of admiring commoners. The lady's arm rests lightly upon
that of her new husband, and both are gleaming yellow with apparent happiness.

Hamara Hanning: The Chairman is looking stupendous in fine silk, with the new
Lady Oolin on his arm. She's wearing a simply -magnificent- gown of white velvet
that twinkles like the stars. Gracious me, it's covered in diamonds. That's
wealth for you, ladies and gentlemen.

Hamara Hanning: Right behind them is Primus Tatich Kipex, father of the bride,
looking as proud and happy as ever a lucidian can. Which is to say, not
particularly, but it's his purse paying for this grand event, ladies and
gentlemen.

The Kipex and Oolin family members disappear into the ballroom. Another group
follows close behind, composed mostly of feathered trill gowned and suited and
glittering with gems. They sweep past, smiling and laughing and cracking jokes.

Hamara Hanning: There's the Skysoarer family, all dressed in matching shades of
blue - making an entrance there - and quickly they're moving now, anxious to get
inside, that's the Goldfeathers and the Silverplumes. Lord Infinen Cloudwalker's
looking angry about something, but never mind, who can be angry at a Hallifax
society ball?

Hamara Hanning: The flow is slowing down now, most of the guests are inside.
There's the Shevat family arriving, followed by the Aalinos and the
up-and-coming Terat and Wispwing families. And that's it, the doors are closing!
The crowd is beginning to disperse. It's time to get inside.

Hamara Hanning taps the crystal device and it dims slightly. She stores it
carefully in her satchel, smooths the fine fabrics of her gown, and treads
lightly away towards the crystal spire.

Act I Scene III

A curtain of shimmering light masks the scene for a moment before fading away to
reveal an expansive, ornate crystal ballroom, spinning and whirling with
gracefully waltzing figures. The orchestra occupies a balcony overhead, each
musician dressed in immaculate black. The walls and ceiling are festooned with
elegant decorations, and a long banquet table is set up against one wall, laden
with the finest delicacies.

Hamara Hanning: (talking quietly) Don't ask me how I got an invitation to Lady
Oolin's ball, ladies and gentlemen, because it's top secret! Here's the Master
of the Ceremonies coming towards me, looking perfectly turned out as usual. Is
he going to try to find me a partner? I'm showing him my Ministry of Information
badge. Gracious me, was that a wink? I'm free to circulate. The buffet looks
fantastic.

Hamara Hanning: Is that Kanun Terat dancing with a Goldfeather? That won't make
Lady Goldfeather happy. Kanun's a scientist, but the Terats are nobody. There's
Lady Eestra Aalino and her husband Anlirk waltzing by me. I do love her dress.
Jade taffeta. Hang on, there's a commotion breaking out near the buffet table.
Don't spoil the food, gentlemen, it's worth more than I am.

Hamara makes her way towards the buffet, threading her way through a growing
crowd. She takes up a position at the far end of the table, watching as a tall
trill with a proud demeanour accosts a smartly-robed lucidian and begins a
furious altercation.

Hamara Hanning: Is that Lord Infinen Cloudwalker shouting? That's very unlike
him, he's a model of propriety. Who's he shouting at? I can't see. No - it's
Kanun Terat! He's not looking very contrite either. If he weren't a lucidian I'd
swear that was a smile.

A cry of pain is heard from among the crowd, followed a few moments later by a
wail of anguish. The crowd parts in the centre as everyone hurries to distance
themselves from the scene: a middle-aged lucidian lies prone, the blue hue
fading from his crystalline flesh. His dark robes are rent over the belly and
blood spills onto the floor.

Hamara Hanning: (horrified) It's Lord Anlirk Aalino! He's hurt!

Hamara elbows her unladylike way through the crowd just as a healer arrives and
begins to work on Lord Aalino. Lady Aalino kneels by the side of her husband,
her crystalline flesh white with shock and fear.

Hamara Hanning: Lady Aalino, what's happened here?

Lady Eestra Aalino: (her voice trembling) He has been stabbed. Somebody stabbed
him -

Lady Eestra Aalino stops speaking and bows her head. Lord Anlirk has stopped
moving, his eyes glassy and empty.

A new voice rises above the crowd, a young male voice filled with fear and
confusion. A trill servant in red clothes is in custody, his arms held fast by a
pair of uniformed Sentinels.

Irin Longwing: No! No! I've done nothing! Nothing!

Lakur Eepex, Minister of Peace: Name. Status. Employer.

Irin Longwing: I-Irin L-l-longwing, sir. Servant of the Commonwealth. I am in
the service of the Cloudwalker family.

Lakur Eepex, Minister of Peace: How did you get in here?

Irin Longwing: I don't know. I don't remember!

Lakur Eepex, Minister of Peace: Why did you stab the Execumatrix?

Irin Longwing: I didn't! I've done nothing!

Lakur Eepex, Minister of Peace: You were seen. There are many witnesses to the
crime, and the state of your attire is evidence against you.

Irin Longwing looks down at his hands, covered in blood. A knife is on the floor
at his feet.

Lakur Eepex, Minister of Peace: I repeat the question. Why did you stab the
Execumatrix?

Irin Longwing: I don't remember. I don't remember anything!

Lakur Eepex, Minister of Peace: Take him into custody.

The Sentinels drag the servant away. Irin Longwing's young face has lost all
emotion save for confusion.

Heavy curtains slowly close across the stage, indicating a temporary hiatus in
the production. An invisible orchestra strikes up a jaunty air as uniformed
trill and lucidian attendants appear with refreshments. After moderate interval
the music fades away and the curtains part once more, signalling the beginning
of the second act.

Act II Scene I

A crowd is gathered outside the Court buildings atop the Spire of Justice. There
is a steady murmur of conversation. Uniformed Sentinels guard the doors to the
Antechamber.

Hamara Hanning: I'm outside the Court of Truth. Today is the hearing of Irin
Longwing, accused of murdering Lord Anlirk Aalino at Lady Oolin's ball four days
ago. He's been in custody since the tragic event that robbed the Institute of
its Execumatrix Magnificus, and Lady Eestra Aalino of her spouse.

Hamara Hanning: The implications of the case are profound. Longwing's crime
implicates the Cloudwalker family in a political plot within The Institutional
Society. Lord Aalino held the position of Execumatrix for twenty years, but his
long-term feud with Lord Infinen Cloudwalker is well known within the city and
rumour suggested that Lord Cloudwalker was about to launch a contestation.

Hamara Hanning: Aalino has remained a popular figure in Hallifax, and prevailing
opinion was in favour of Lord Aalino to win. Did Longwing enter the ballroom
with his employer's assistance? Cloudwalker is due to be questioned by the High
Supreme Justice this afternoon.

Hamara pauses as the doors open and Longwing appears, hands bound, in the
company of two uniformed Sentinels. His head is drooping with tiredness and
dejection, and his shoulders are slumped. A murmur goes up among the crowd.

Hamara Hanning: And the verdict is guilty, ladies and gentlemen. No surprises
there, except perhaps for Longwing. The punishment is execution: as a traitor to
the Commonwealth, Longwing will have his wings cut before being taken to the
summit of the Spire of Justice and -

A tall plain-robed lucidian approaches Longwing and his guards. He speaks, but
his words are lost in the strong winds. Irin Longwing's face creases in pain
before he is dragged away.

Hamara Hanning: Hang on, what's Terat doing? He's talking to the condemned? The
Sentinels are ordering him off, but he's upset Longwing.

Kanun Terat: Reporting on me, Hanning? I hope the Ministry of Information finds
my doings sufficiently interesting.

Hamara Hanning: Just doing my job, Terat. What's your business here today?

Kanun Terat: Oh, just observing the proceedings. We were all very sad at the
fate of Aalino, you know. I just wanted to see justice done.

Hamara Hanning: As a loyal Freeman of the Commonwealth, naturally that would be
your first wish.

Kanun Terat twists his lips in apparent contempt, and turns away, disappearing
into the crowd.

Hamara Hanning: The city is buzzing about Lords Aalino and Cloudwalker, but
nobody's talking about Terat. He doesn't like to be reminded of his middle-caste
status, as we just saw. He's ambitious. Word is he's had his eye on the post of
Execumatrix Magnificus as well. I wonder what my contacts at the Ministry have
to say about him.

Act II Scene II

The scene shimmers and shifts. Hamara Hanning disappears briefly, revealed
moments later sitting alone at one among several rows of desks, working at a
logic crystal. Beside her are stacks of memory discs. A female trill wearing the
badge of the Ministry of Information slips into the room.

Ashela Irring: (In a low voice) Hamara. I can't stay long; Ser'kix is on my
tail. He heard I was asking questions.

Hamara Hanning: Kanun's brother?

Ashela Irring: That's him. You ever met him? He joined the Ministry four months
ago as a crystal engineer. He's an enchanter, too. He's been making himself all
kinds of useful, but I don't like him. He's a flatterer. He's aiming for the
top, no mistake.

Hamara Hanning: Too much like his brother, then. What did you find out?

Ashela Irring: It's true about Kanun. Informants confirm he's been laying the
groundwork for a challenge for Execumatrix. Making friends, buying favours, that
kind of thing. But he's never made any public expression of interest for the
post. Interesting?

Hamara Hanning: Interesting. Any other candidates in the wings?

Ashela Irring: Not that we've heard about. One incumbent, two challengers. The
incumbent is murdered and one of the challengers is implicated.

Hamara Hanning: More and more interesting.

Hamara pauses for a long moment, thinking. Ashela perches on her desk and waits,
watching her colleague's face.

Ashela Irring: Ser'kix joined the lightboard programming team three months ago.
He's been spending most of his time down there, working late. And he volunteered
with the Tourism Commissariat.

Hamara Hanning: That's exactly what I was going to ask. What has he been working
on? Can we get access to the records?

Ashela Irring: There are no records for Ser'kix's work for the Tourism
Commissariat. They're gone, or perhaps they were never filed. But we may be able
to retrieve the imprint.

Hamara Hanning: The imprint?

Ashela Irring: Most engineers use logic crystals for more complex crystal
engineering work, and with the number of late hours Terat's been pulling, I'd
say he was doing something complicated. We may be able to find some trace of
what he was doing in the lightboard labs. We'll have to move fast.

Hamara jumps to her feet, grabbing her crystal audio device from her desk, and
she and Ashela quickly leave the room.

Act II Scene III

A fall of shimmering light obscures the Ministry offices, fading to reveal a
workshop. Work surfaces covered in logic crystals, memory readers, discs and
tools fill the room. The walls bear many lightboards of varying sizes, some
blank, some displaying images of varying complexity. A low murmur sounds in the
background, discernible as a Tourism Commissariat announcement emitted by one of
the screens.

Hamara Hanning: Ashela, I'm following your lead. This is your territory. But I'm
going to record.

Ashela nods, and moves quickly to a particular desk. Hamara taps her crystal
device and it begins to glow faintly.

Ashela Irring: This is Ser'kix's desk. Top level lightboard equipment. Let's
check these discs.

Ashela activates the logic crystal, which glows brightly and emits a jaunty tune
as if in greeting. Ashela looks around quickly, apparently nervous, before
returning her attention to the logic crystal. She loads a disc and waits as
information flashes up on the screen.

Hamara talks quietly into her crystal device, relating Ashela's information and
recording their suspicions about Ser'kix. She continues to talk as Ashela checks
disc after disc.

Ashela suddenly freezes as a detailed image forms in the logic crystal's
lightboard.

Ashela Irring: (In a strangled whisper) Hamara! Look at this.

Hamara hastens to Ashela's side and the two of them watch the lightboard. The
figure of a well-known lucidian official appears, black-robed and blue-skinned,
surrounded by an entourage of servants. A trill servant in red clothes darts
into view, clearly wielding a long knife. He stabs the lucidian, who falls to
the ground lifeless. The trill servant escapes, and the image fades, only to
begin once more.

A stunned silence reigns in the workshop as the two trill stare unbelievingly at
this piece of programming. The silence is suddenly broken by the sound of the
door closing and locking.

Ser'kix Terat: Ah, it's my esteemed colleagues. They've made quite a nuisance of
themselves lately, brother.

Kanun Terat narrows his eyes and stares hard at Hamara, his face like stone.

Kanun Terat: I've seen this one before. How necessary is she to the Ministry?

Ser'kix Terat: Expendable.

Kanun Terat: Good.

Kanun Terat lifts a crystal wand and points it at Hamara. The wand gathers
energy quickly and fires, shooting streams of energy at Hamara. The onslaught is
brutal. Ser'kix joins the attack, and Hamara's defences are soon overcome. She
falls.

Ashela Irring backs away, ashen-faced, as Kanun retrieves Hamara's audio device
and destroys it. Ser'kix advances on Ashela.

Ser'kix Terat: What other evidence is there? What other records have you kept?
You'd better tell me.

Ashela Irring: I've filed reports with the Ministry. I've hidden records at my
quarters. If you kill me, my friends will find them before you do.

Kanun Terat: (absently) She is lying.

Ser'kix Terat: I know, brother. I can see a lie as well as you can.

Ashela Irring: (desperately) You created the lightboard programme, Ser'kix.
Enchanted with subliminal cues, was it? Designed to manipulate a servant, and
preferably a servant of the Cloudwalkers. All of this is your doing.

Ser'kix Terat: My doing, yes. My talents. My skill. But not my plan. For the
architect, you must look to my brother.

Ashela Irring: Of course. Aalino dies, Cloudwalker is implicated, and a Terat
benefits. A fine display of family loyalty. What do you get out of it, Ser'kix?

Ser'kix Terat: My turn is coming. First, Kanun shall become the Execumatrix.

Kanun points his crystal wand at Ashela, and energy explodes in her direction.
She fights desperately, but the attacks of the two Terat brothers are too much.
She falls by the side of her colleague, unable to prevent the destruction of the
memory disc containing the last evidence against them.

Act II Scene IV

The workshop flickers and fades, replaced with an image of the roof of the Spire
of Justice. Longwing stands at the edge, spiritless, his slight form buffeted by
the strong winds. He is dressed in the uniform of the condemned: grey,
featureless, uncomfortable. His wings have been severed. A panel of officials is
assembled to witness the execution, and behind them stand several observers
wearing badges of the Ministry of Information.

Irko Lanket: Irko Lanket for the Ministry of Information, Section for Public
Records. I'm here in the continued absence of my colleague, Hamara Hanning, to
witness the execution of Irin Longwing, condemned for the murder of Lord Aalino,
Execumatrix Magnificus. The execution is scheduled to take place at dusk.

The sun is setting and dusk is only a few minutes away. Longwing looks up into
the sky, his face blank. Traces of confusion remain in his wide grey eyes, but
mostly he is a picture of despair. Soon uniformed Sentinels step up onto either
side of him and take his arms.

Irko Lanket: Dusk is approaching and Longwing seems resigned. He's suspected of
having acted under the orders of his employer, Lord Cloudwalker. Cloudwalker
denies the allegations, and no evidence has been found to implicate him, but the
rumours have been enough. He has just lost the election for Execumatrix
Magnificus to surprise challenger Kanun Terat. Cloudwalker has retreated from
the public eye, retiring to his family estate in the aetherways.

There is a momentary stir at the precipice, and Longwing disappears from view. A
cool voice notes the date and time of execution for the record.

The image onstage remains frozen for several long moments as silence reigns.
Then, with a flicker, the Spire and its gathered crowds vanishes, to be replaced
with nothing but an empty stage and darkness.