The Iveni Saga

Act II, Scene II: The City Is Full

(The streets of Marthala. Farmers are streaming through the gates. Itolias and Atuyo stand, talking.)

ITOLIAS:

Atuyo, my beloved, have we still houses?
The farmers cannot find a place to sleep.
And have we stables for their many cattle
And for their horses, for their fowl and sheep?

ATUYO:

We have no space, the streets are spilling over!
Our city is filled right up to the brim.
Oh, cursed be Soran, who caused this frightful chaos,
Oh how I wish that I might fight with him!
But our queen has bid us stay defenders...

ITOLIAS:
...And so we must remain, it is her will.
And we will help the farmers and their families,
From yonder city gate, they come in still.
Oh, how I wish that I could end this suffering,
How my heart aches to see the farmers flee.
But we spoke of the queen, love, have you seen her?
Wherever might our gracious ruler be?

ATUYO:
The queen has barred the door to her bedchamber,
Now she remains a wilful prisoner there.
She will not speak to me or her advisors,
And of our trouble she is not aware.
(He helps a farmer pass.)
However might we speak to Queen Iveni?

ITOLIAS:
A thought comes to me, listen to my word:
If report our plight to our priestess,
By our queen she would be rightly heard.

ATUYO:
Itolias, you will yet save us all!

And yet, I should have thought of this myself.

Who, would not, in the greatest of their sorrows,

Speak to our priestess, So that she might help.

This is, my love, the truest course of action.
Go, speak to Lilea, tell her of our plight.
Our queen cannot ignore the wisest goddess,
And she will order our troops to fight.

ITOLIAS:
I will, I know the priestess from my youth,
Surely she will lend a friend her ear.
If I explain the truth of all this chaos,
I'm certain she will be our saviour dear.

ATUYO:
I will await you, and help the many fleeing,
And hear the merry news on your return.

ITOLIAS:
But be aware I might return without hope...

ATUYO:
Whatever the reason, we will surely learn.