12th December. A chamber in the keep. It is dawn. A chair sits on the left in the nearly empty room. A tall candle holder stands near the chair and near it is a wooden post.
Enter WIZLAW sitting on chair wearing some armour
WIZLAW: All we can do now is hope and wait. Me and my councillors met in th'hall and got barely anything done. We only dispatched some men-at-arms to Charenz and put some watchmen on patrol. We barely have a greater number of troops than what those mercenaries or bandits have based on our reports. [he grabs a dagger from the post] I will need this to defend myself if it comes to't. May Svetovit, Chernoglav and Rugiaevit watch over us today. I truly hate all this uncertainty and waiting.
[Enter HERALD 1
HERALD 1: Greetings my lord. How was th'night?
WIZLAW: Sleepless.
HERALD 1: I must say that is rather dismal. Though, I myself did only get a pair of hours. Anyhow, I came hither to notify thee that all of thy courtiers have prepared themselves and are in th'yard. Thy messenger is there too.
WIZLAW: This seems almost worthless. Our people are underequipped and lack training. Due to our relative poverty, we have not manag'd to replace all the men that we have lost a few years back.
HERALD 1: Do not worry my liege for we are at an advantage as we have this keep and th'high ground. Those ruffians, if they do come here, will have quite the problem getting inside our walls. Also, the Bishop is here.
WIZLAW: Of Arkona?
HERALD 1: Aye.
WIZLAW: Why is that?
HERALD 1: I talk'd to him and he agreed to move himself here in case of an attack. Plus, he brought some of his levy with him.
WIZLAW: Where is his excellency now?
HERALD 1: Downstairs. He told me that he will come up here anon. For now, I advise thee to take this.
[HERALD 1 goes offstage and returns with the banner of Rügen]
WIZLAW: Why should I take't?
HERALD 1: Hold it. [he passes it to WIZLAW] Come with me to th'balcony, raise th'banner and give thy people more heart.
WIZLAW: If thou says so.[they walk right to the balcony and the stage brightens slightly]
HERALD 1: [pointing] Look beneath at thy folk and speak my liege.
WIZLAW: [looking downwards] Lend me thine ears and hear my speech! I, Wizlaw Wizlawid, on this day announce that-!
[a low drum sounds]
HERALD 1: Look ho! Over there by the woods!
WIZLAW: No. No, no, no, no! This cannot be happening. [looking down] Men! Look from the tops of the palisades and prepare for war! [to HERALD 1:] If the Bishop comes, tell him to seek refuge in the cellar.
HERALD 1: Where art thou going?
WIZLAW: To put on the rest of mine armour.
[as WIZLAW leaves, he stabs the dagger into the post]
[Exit WIZLAW
[HERALD 1 looks frantically from the balcony and around the room]
HERALD 1: Wratislaw! Where art thou?
BISHOP: [offstage:] I is here.
[Enter BISHOP
HERALD 1: Come hither.
BISHOP: What is the matter?
HERALD 1: [pointing] Look from th'balcony.
[they both go to balcony]
BISHOP: O my. Who are those marching fellows?
HERALD 1: Ruffians! Bandits! They are here to ravage us.
BISHOP: What shall we do?
HERALD: I know what thou will do. Wizlaw has instructed me to take thee to seek refuge in th'cellar. It is a most safe place. Go there. There will be folk waiting for thee down there.
[a buisine sounds]
[Exeunt
Enter ENVOY wearing armour from the right onto an elevated platform
[the left side of the stage is darkened whilst the right is illuminated]
ENVOY: [calling towards offstage:] The enemy is slowly nearing us! Soldiers, people, courtiers! Come hither at once and take position! Ah!
Enter COURTIERS wearing light armour
[as soon as COURTIERS arrive, an arrow strikes ENVOY who falls and they catch him]
COURTIER 4: O no! He's dead. Those bastards got him.
COURTIER 1: We will avenge him with their blood. [to COURTIERS 2 & 3] Ye take the right side. We will hold the left.
[war shouts are heard in the background. COURTIERS 1 & 4 shoot arrows with bows while COURTIERS 2 & 3 cower behind a wall. The latter converse unbeknownst]
COURTIER 2: Curse this damn'd war! Why are we even here suffering for the Count's actions?
COURTIER 3: I do not know. I think we ought to leave this place in secrecy and mutiny to the mainland. If Rügen somehow wins this, they won't find our bodies.
COURTIER 2: And they will think we died fighting?
COURTIER 3: Yes, exactly.
[they stop talking unbeknownst & faint smoke begins to appear]
Enter HERALD 1
HERALD 1: What has happen'd here?
COURTIER 1: Th'envoy Dubizlav has been shot.
HERALD 1: Alack! These are the most horrific news however, this is no time to mourn. The time to lament will be after. [to COURTIER 2:] Ho, what dost thou see from up there?
COURTIER 4: Brigands! Wait, no!
HERALD 1: What is th'matter?
COURTIER 4: They have a catapult!
HERALD 1: How comes that? Thou must be bluffing. We do not even have one. Curs'd be this. Th'Count was right. They must have been supplied from th'outside.
COURTIER 4: How are the other flanks holding up?
HERALD 1: I have not inspected them yet
COURTIER 1: When will more men arrive to assist us?
HERALD 1: Anon.
COURTIER 4: Ho! That siege weaponry is pointing straight at us! 'Sblood! Take cover!
[they brace and a loud crash is heard. The lights flash dimly. HERALD 1, COURTIER 1 & 2 lie on the ground with debris]
COURTIER 3: [to COURTIER 2:] God gave us a chance. Now! Let's leave.
HERALD 1: [faintly raising an arm:] Help. I still live.
COURTIER 3: Ignore him. Let's go.
[Exeunt COURTIERS 2 & 3. Exeunt others after lights turn off
YOU ARE READING
The Tragic Fall Of Wizlaw, The Count Of Rügen
Historical FictionRügen is once again on high alert. Rumours of attacks and exclusion heighten the tensions on the isle. Personal issues merge with politics and blood is fated to be shed. The innocent will be the greatest victims and a great figure shall descend into...
