SC32 - A General Issue
INT. MAYAGARDE OPERA HOUSE. EVENING.
General Valar Greye is seated in a crowded opera house with his wife, Lady Myra Greye. The General attempts to stay focussed on the opera but it is clear that something else is on his mind. After a short while of this, he turns to his wife.
GREYE: I just need to get some air. I'll be right back.
MYRA: Are you alright?
GREYE: Don't worry, it's just a headache. You enjoy the show.
Lady Myra nods and continues watching. Greye shuffles along the aisle and then makes his way up the stairs to the exit. He walks out onto a balcony and leans on the railing, putting his hands on his head. He stares out at the city, aglow with activity even at night, before shaking his head and slamming his fist down on the railing.
GREYE: What the hell is Crimson thinking? He's got me sitting at an opera while I should be out on the front co-ordinating the treaty signing...
VOICE: Perhaps our Emperor has begun to re-evaluate your position in his senate.
Greye turns around to see Balfor standing in the doorway. Greye simply leans back on the railing and looks at the city again.
BALFOR: Come now, Valar. You really thought there'd be a place for you in government when this war was over? We're both military men who took up politics. We knew our time was short here.
GREYE: Once the treaty is signed we'll need good people at the top Raije. I just want what's best for my country.
BALFOR: I'm sure you do brother... but you'll just have to rest your trust in our Emperor.
GREYE: That's just it...
Greye stands up and faces Balfor, looking him square in the eye.
GREYE: Let me ask you an honest question. Do you trust Crimson?
BALFOR: It doesn't matter what I think. The future rests with him, whether we like it or not.
GREYE: And what will you do when the war's over? You've always had ambitions of being a senator, of making a difference. What will you do if the Emperor cuts us loose?
BALFOR: ... Whatever I have to. That's how I've always done things. I'll find my own way of getting what I want.
GREYE: Yes... You're good at that, aren't you?
BALFOR: And you?
GREYE: I'll remain General for as long as I can. I'll serve my city to the end.
BALFOR: Your devotion never wavers, my brother.
Greye nods. At that moment a soldier runs onto the balcony behind Balfor. She stops and pauses to catch her breath before addressing the both of them.
SOLDIER: Sirs, the Emperor... he's gone!
GREYE: Gone? What do you mean gone?
SOLDIER: No-one's seem him since this morning sir. His escort said he left the senate but he requested that he was not accompanied and ... he never returned.
GREYE: What about our men on the street? Someone must have seen him!
SOLDIER: Like I said sir... no-one has.
Balfor looks to Greye for his orders. Greye thinks for a moment.
GREYE: Alright... soldier, get every available man and woman from the barracks and have them comb the city. Admiral, contact every last officer you have in Mayagarde that's outside the city and have their squads lock down all of the nearby towns. If anyone encounters any form of resistance, the priority is the Emperors safety! I want him back at the senate by sunrise!
The soldier hurries away. Balfor turns to Greye before he leaves.
BALFOR: What about you?
GREYE: I have contacts in the city that might be able to help. Now we must hurry brother.
The two quickly exit the balcony.
YOU ARE READING
Daylight - First Draft
Adventure(Some of the second draft is now up. Check it out on my profile if you want the latest version of the story) The world of Aedryn has entered an era of unprecidented peace and prosperity. War is a thing of the past, old feuds reduced to mere legends...
