The Iveni Saga

Act III, Scene V: The Battle in Kaveyan

(The Kaveyan marketplace. A large altar stands in the middle, covered in fruit, meat and wine, Soran sits on his throne behind it, Maraë on a smaller throne next to him. A crowd of Kaveyani soldiers and farmers surrounds the altar. From the wings, Dilasis leads Lilea to the altar.)

DILASIS:

Look here, oh gods, upon this mighty city!

See how we give to you this banquet now!

We give great thanks to you, our noble saviours,

And before your golden thrones our heads we bow.

(He pulls Lilea forward)

And here, for great Laoa, as requested,

Lilea of Marthala, sent to be

A servant for you, until the end of ages,

On her knees and humbled, horribly!

(He forces Lilea to kneel in front of the altar and holds up a knife)

LILEA:

(Quietly, to Dilasis)

What do you wrap your sleeve around your hand, sir?

Oh, could it be the handle of this knife

Is oak, the very wood my curse said

Would burn you for the rest of all your life?

DILASIS:

(Just as quietly)

Silence, girl! You have done me injustice

By cursing me so discourteously.

But now, you see, the one who holds true power,

The one who holds your life in hand, is me.

(He raises the knife again.)

SORAN:

Dilasis, wait please.

DILASIS:

[Yes,?

SORAN:

[Have I not heard

That this girl tried to flee from her own fate?

She slipped through bars and tried to run from justice.

Should her death be so quickly off the slate?

No. Kill her slowly, make her scream and suffer.

And then we all can watch her soul ascend.

Laoa surely will enjoy to see her

So low before her inevitable end.

DILASIS:

Yes, sire, I will do as you command.

(He raises the knife and brings it down towards Lilea.)

Die, false priestess, now by my own hand!

(In this moment, thunder shakes the world and lightning flashes.)

IVENI:

(From outside)

Knock again, Lataor, for it seems likely

That they have not yet heard that we are here.

Knock again, and then let great Kaveyan

To my own mighty grief itself compare.

Knock again!

(Lightning strikes again and thunder crashes. Iveni comes walking through the audience towards the stage, Sisili and Lataor walking behind her. Soran leaps up from his throne.)