Lovers' Sin

👑SCENE II👑

Arthur:

"Let go of thy resentment! As thou allowest thy soul to hold grudges against thy father, the venom of hate will push thee to commit the same sin as Cain: the one who killed his own brother. Why not imitate the Lord's mercy? He doeth not look to our wrongdoings to punish us. On the contrary, he remembereth that we are dust! What if he decideth to hold grudges against us? What thinkest thou would happen? There maybe would be a second flood, just like Noah's time!
However, he is the God of love.
He created love, Arthur.
Because of his name, he is patient with us.
I am not going to ask thee to have pity for me. However, I do beseech thee to find a way within thy heart to forgive the King.
I was carried away by agony
when I pronounced those words, as to deny him as my King.
Just look at the bright side!
Thy mother was a slave.
She was brought here from Israel.
Whereas, she had the opportunity to be set free by thy father's love.
Was she ever mistreated?
Or, was she ever under the obligation to beg for bread?
Thou knowest how us, the Jews, are seen by the Ethiopians.
Thy father was a good husband who simply failed to be more involved in thy life because of his fear of men.
He's thy King and thy father!"

Amul:

"I am half Jew and half Ethiopian. I do not expect thee to understand the humiliation of having a skin as mine. It depriveth me of the King's fatherly affection. Why am I not as dark as my brothers instead? Why was I born if it was to be rejected by my father and mine own people?"

Arthur:

"Thy tears will weary thy face.
No! It's not called thy fate.
I do not believe in such myth
for God didn't write in advance thy mistakes.
Fate is a lore.
Wherefore, thy path is built through thy choice.
Overthrowing the King is not the solution.
Thine attitude is!"

Amul:

"My lips tremble with outrage whenever he walketh by.
I have to bow down,
put my face toward the ground.
I only get commended for mine actions or when I lead the army to victory.
Afterwards, the praise turneth silent.
His fondness of me dieth.
There is no trace of it!
I can't smell that glacial love, Arthur.
There is no warmth in his voice,
not even a sign of regret in his eyes.
If I ever don't return home from a battle,
I doubt he would even bother to leave his comfy castle.
His feet would not come after my corpse left on the battlefield.
The King does not care!"

Arthur:

"Just promise me! If I die, I want thee to make peace with thy father.
Utter to him thy feelings.
Hold nothing back!
Consequently, our people will be proud.
Our fellow Jew brothers!
Humility shall not be mistaken for humiliation.
Pride is what attracts thine indignation.
Do not be the reflection of the King!
Teach him love by thine indulgence."

Amul:

"Rest thine eyes, Arthur.
Tomorrow will be thy last journey.
I cannot oppose the King's order.
I, unfortunately, don't withhold the power of saving thee from that cruel penalty.
Farewell!"

Arthur:

I can't read the intent of his sudden melancholy that glistens from his eyes. He drags one foot after the other as if he's still reluctant to leave. He knows I'm right. That's why he doesn't dare look back.
He orders one of the guards to open the door and close it just after he walks out.

After a few hours of boredom,
I remember what David told me.
I manage to pull the knife from beneath my buttocks. I slid it there to avoid any suspicions from Amul. I start imagining how content my beloved will be as she sees me. The desire of drawing her into mine arms again, helps me endure.
I cut the other strands and the ropes around mine arms fall on the ground.
However, there are still the chains keeping my legs desensitized.
I fatigue myself as I try to break the chains with mine hands.
I take a quick break, but then, someone pushes the door open with force.
It's David!

"You came back!"

David:

"So, you didn't believe me?"

Arthur:

"I did!
Now, please, release me from these chains blemishing mine ankles...
They are swollen and senseless."

David lifts up his axe above his head and breaks the chains apart. He helps me get back onto my feet and assists me with walking, as he carries my weight along the way. We walk out of the dungeon. The guards are all asleep. My eyes shine in wonders.

"What happened here?"

David:

"I have friends everywhere, Arthur!
The food they ate probably had a somnolent effect."

Arthur:

"Thou hast settled this?"

David:

"Wasn't that our plan?
My companions are waiting for us.
The horse carriage is by the bushes.
But thou shalt not worry!
The guards will wake up at dawn.

That's why we need to hurry."

Arthur:

"Where are we going, if I may ask thee?"

David:

"Hand me thy coat!"

Arthur:

I do what he says and he brings it to his accomplices. Then, I see him chop a chicken open. He pours the blood onto the coat and drips some on the ground, all the way back to the dungeon. Exactly where I was. After making the bloody trail, he gets back outside on the carriage.

"What does that mean?"

David:

"Starting from this day, you are known as dead. Thou won't have to fear thy death penalty anymore."

Arthur:

"It was not my wish to be claimed dead...
Being devoured by a vicious animal.
What will my dearest do when she heareth such falsity?"

David:

"I risk mine own life setting thee free.
I can't turn back there.
Besides, thy disappearance will remain a mystery.
Logically, they will assume you died.
Thou wilt hide in a safe place through the woods.
There's a cabin there I own.
I will bring Candace to thee.
Then, you'll live happily ever after!"

Arthur:

"Tell me no such fairytale!
The King will trust no one
after he realizes that I'm gone.
He is very protective of his daughter.
Do not underestimate him!"

David:

"I will find a way. I promise!
Now, rest thyself, for the night will be tedious."