THE DUEL

Act 2, Scene 3

Lionel heads back home to Anila. But this scene opens with Cornelius before the queen. As more consequential matters ensue.

Agada: kneel before me!

Cornelius: (kneels) my queen, I apologize for what occurred in the land and to...

Agada: (interupts) you have every reason to remain silent and of course any misinterpretation will lead you head flat back into the dungeon.

Cornelius: yes, my queen.

Agada: who killed my husband?

Cornelius: I do not know, your highness.

Agada: who killed my husband?!

Cornelius: if I dwell upon the highest of advisers and suite myself with wise men I do not see a reason to hide that in this hour of need.

Agada: This is what you should know. You need, I do not need, my son does not need. You are as desperate as a slaughtered fowl. So, the quicker you speak, the easier your burden. For if the prince returns from his journey and finds you here, you will by no means breathe.

Cornelius: My queen, there is no way that I will hide anything for the kingdoms of Culptus, Dearens, Renalis and Sidonea have all agreed to the request of king Caesar.

Agada: what request?

Cornelius: when I left for the journey to these lands, the king and I had an agreement that these lands should join us on the quest of the formulation of the empire in order to resist pressure from the "four heavens". Sidonea has pledged their full support, as well as Culptus, Dearens and Renails.

Agada: I see, how many days do we have to war?

Cornelius: less than six weeks. We have to act with immediate effect, my queen.

Agada: I give you authority now, that you go in search for the top tacticians in the land and summon the soldiers and prepare for war.

Cornelius: your majesty, one more thing. Representatives from the four clans of Sidone will come to acknowledge the requests and show their accepted cooperation, but since the king is no more. And of course, the prince is....

Agada: I will sign it.

Cornelius: I'm afraid not so. It has to be...

Lionel: I will sign it. Now leave as you are told to do so.

(Cornelius exits, Agada embraces Lionel)

Agada: son, where have you been? You do not look the happiest of moods. Are you okay?

Lionel: mother, if I felt any better then it should be after the war. My love is lost, my love is no more.

Agada: I never knew you'll be hit by your father this much son, you look so deserted. We need you to be in the fullest of spirits. To be honest son, I've never seen you like this before.

Lionel: no offence mother, I do not speak of my father. For he too has contributed to this great pain.

Agada: then, what pain do you speak of?

Lionel: I'll rather remain silent and keep my tears locked in.

Agada: Well, since you visited Culptus, was there anything that made you smile at least?

Lionel: There was her smile, the pleasure grinned from her teeth, her arms felt like soft pillows for there was nothing less unique until she busted the bubbles and deflated balloons right here. (points to his chest).

Agada: Son, it would only do you great relief to share who this girl is.

Lionel: Mother, I rather not speak, for when the war is over, my love I will come for you. (leaves the room).

(Josethello's house)

Josethello: (weeps)

Emmanuella: Josethello, who made you weep, who makes you feel terrible. I will make his days longer than nothing but dust. Who?

Josethello: it is no one mother.

Emmanuella: do not sit and weep like a crocodile. Stand up for we have kingdoms to destroy.

Josethello: Mother, why are we doing this?

Emmanuella: (picks up a glass) Have I told you the story about your father? His name was Crotches Ray Markel. He was meant to be the king of Anila. But his father gave Caesar the throne. what was I supposed to do? Watch and cry?

Josethello: so what did you do, mother?

Emmanuella: it was on the festival of the foxes. Crotches was so drunk. I seduced him. He was so drunk, he could barely note I was on top of him. He groaned in pleasure but absent-minded that he possessed dark magic. (cuddles Josethello). Do you know what black magic is capable of doing?

Josethello: No, mother.

Emmanuella: (flings and breaks glass) It consumes and takes control!!! (picks a piece of the broken glass). You were there that night. Yes, and that was the first time I smiled at you. His dark magic was so exuberant and too powerful that I shared some with you (releases some shades of dark magic on glass). You Josethello, then picked up a piece of broken glass and stabbed your father in the heart.

Josethello: No!! (weeps) No mother, it is not true.

Emmanuella: I could hear his voice squeak. As he lost his breath and gave up the ghost. Immediately the guards ran in, I disappeared but released the spell on you. In came a guard and Caesar. They cried bitterly and saw you in your father's pool of blood piercing his heart. Lionel used to be your very close friend but his father banished you from ever stepping foot into that kingdom.

Josethello: (weeping) Mother, why could you be so heartless?!!! Take your dark magic away, I will step foot into that kingdom. I will never be what you want me to be. You have chosen your part. But I must not follow your tracks.

Emmanuella: Daughter, you can never hide anything from me. I am your blood. We are the same from the moment I shared my magic with you. Never step foot into that kingdom unless you lose your powers. Josethello its up to you. I am you duet, but I can also be your duel. Come back home Josethello, come back.

(She disappears into thin air)