The Autumn Flower

The Autumn Flower (Act 1)

ACT 1: The King's Word

Scene 1: In the Traveler's Woods and The Drunken Pup

[Before the play starts, the stage is set with The Autumn Flower center stage. It is evening. A young pair of siblings run through the woods with their father closely behind, on the dirt "Traveler's Path"]

BOY: Come, Father, we mustn't be late!

SISTER: Slow down, I can't keep up! You're going too fast!

FATHER: I have doubt it's begun yet, children! Stray not!

BOY: But I know the way, Father!

FATHER [To himself]: Mine concern did not lie in whether you knew the way. I fear there to be thieves in these woods.

SISTER: Slow down! My legs are beginning to hurt!

[She stops running, out of breath. Her father catches up to her]

FATHER: Ha. Come here my dear!

[He picks her up and continues to walk to the tavern]

[Inside the Drunken Pup, a tavern and inn. The crowd is gathered around Burt, who is singing "The Rattlin' Bog" and playing on his banjo. The crowd participates when the song calls for it. The song ends and everyone applauds and cheers, raising their tankards. The boy comes in and sits amongst the children on the ground while the adults hang back by the bar. Shortly thereafter, his father who is still carrying his sister, perhaps on his back at this point, enters]

BURT: And now the time has come for the story-telling. Which one will it be on this fine evenin'?

[A chatter ensues]

MAN: Tell the one of the dragon and his rider!

WOMAN: Nay, tell the one of the shifty-eyed farmer!

BOY: What of the one with the drunken wench?

[Burt brings everyone's attention back to him]

BURT: Aye; while these proposals sound quite fair, methinks I've got the one; a splendid one at that...have ye been told the tale of The Lost Princess?

[The crowd expresses that they haven't]

BURT: Well that shall be this eve's tale.

[He takes a sip from his tankard and lights the candle on the table next to him]

BURT: T'was in a year, not entirely long before ours, in which there lived a beautiful princess by the name of Rubrina. Legends tell that her fair green eyes were enough to make a man submit to his knees in love upon a single gaze. The lady's hair, brown as a bear's pelt, flowed down to meet her slimmed curvy waist. A gown the color of a man's blood was ever draped over her soft delicate skin, following her as a whisper does in the wind. The winter was harsh that year and the king had fallen ill...

[Fade into next scene]

Scene 2: In Tavius' Chamber:

[Rubrina enters with a bowl of porridge]

RUBRINA: Father, how many times have I told you to remain in bed?

TAVIUS: At least thrice more, my dear.

RUBRINA: I have fetched you a bowl of porridge from the kitchen. 'Tis hot, I must caution you.

[She helps him back into bed and props a pillow behind his back]

RUBRINA: Mother and I are at your service if you are in need. The physician ordered you not to move much. We fear this coming winter to be harsh, and I am certain it will not be merciful upon your illness. The cold appears to be coming early this year.