Characters
Kayworth:
A lion-like man who murdered the previous rulers of the Kingdom of
Alizarin, and then named himself king. He now thirsts for the blood
of the heir to the throne who disappeared at the time of his
takeover, seventeen years earlier. He does not know anything about
the heir. He assumes the heir is male.
Scarlet: A
strong-willed, eighteen-year-old with long gold hair, rosy cheeks,
and scarlet lips. Raised as a village girl, she is strong and fast.
She has only recently learned that she is in fact the heir to
Alizarin's throne. She has a deep attraction to Sam. With the help
of the people, the two have rallied together an army in the attempt
to take back the kingdom.
Samson: Otherwise
known as Sam. He is in his twenties. He has brown hair and is very
buff, having been trained since his youth to be a knight. Sam also
has feelings for Scarlet but is nervous about showing his affections
because he knows that Scarlet is technically royalty whereas he is a
commoner.
[The scene opens to a large
mid-evil throne room that has two entrances on either side of
the room.The sounds of war boom around Kayworth, who sits
on his throne, which is flanked by tall curtains. Two knights
drag in Scarlet, who is clothed in armor (although
helmet-less) and seems to have passed-out. She is doused with
water and awakens.]
Kayworth
Well
this is a surprise. A women has led my people to rebel. You've given
me a lot of grief, wench. Why do you fight against your King?
Scarlet
You're
no king!
Kayworth
Seventeen
years I've ruled this land.
Scarlet
And
seventeen years--
Kayworth
Don't
interrupt me! For all your misdeeds you shall die. A shame to waste
such a pretty face. (Scarlet spits at him) And a temper to top it
off. (He waves for the guards to take Scarlet away)
Scarlet
So you
don't want to know then? To know why we fight against you? You shed
innocent blood, ruin families, sack our farms. I never knew my
parents, thanks to you!
Kayworth
Really?
Are you so determined that I kill you here?
Scarlet
Are you
afraid?
Kayworth
Of
what? A little brat like you?
Scarlet
Afraid
that my blood will forever stain this throne room. That it will
always bear my name. I am Scarlet! (Kayworth laughs)
Kayworth
Your
head is filled with fanciful thoughts. A fool is born to power. A
true King wins it.
Scarlet
And
murderers are thrust down to Hell!
Kayworth
And
exactly what did you think you were trying to do? Murder for power.
You are no different than I save your stupidity.
Scarlet
You
glut yourself and your guards while the people starve.
Kayworth
Peasants
must be starved into submission. Would you rather I killed everyone?
Then whom would I rule and gain from? Like I said, stupid. (a whistle
is heard from Sam off stage) To the guards:Bolt the doors.
[One
guard lets go of Scarlet to lock the throne room doors.
Scarlet quickly twists away from the other guard, groin-kicks
him, takes his sword, and kills him. She flees from the other
guard who comes after her with his sword. Kayworth simply
watches. Scarlet climbs the curtains. Then, Sam kicks open
the throne room doors, which never got bolted. This
makes both Kayworth and the guard pursuing Scarlet
turn. Sam is sweaty and bloody from battle. He is also helmet
less.]
Sam
Get
away from her.
[Scarlet
drops from the curtain with her sword point down onto the
distracted guard, thus killing him.]
Kayworth
Shame,
that was a half-decent guard. I must get better ones next time. Now,
let me guess. The royal baby's all grown up and wants his throne.
(Sam and Scarlet stand side by side, with swords pointed at Kayworth)
What do they call you boy?
Sam
Wouldn't you like know. You're going to pay for the lives you've
ruined Kayworth, if my name isn't Samson, son of Sir Glaucous,
knight of Alizarin.
Kayworth
So. The
heir of Alizarin sends two children in his place? It's a shame he
wouldn't face me himself. No matter, I gained this kingdom by my own
strength and so shall I keep it.
Sam
You've
grown weak, old-man.
Kayworth
I AM
KING! And no son of some worthless knight will ever take that away
from me. (Kayworth draws a sword)
Scarlet
How
about a Princess?
Kayworth
(Kayworth
laughs) You really are just an ignorant female. Oh, and it seems we
have company.
[Scarlet
and Sam turn around, expecting to see more guards but no one
is there. Meanwhile, Kayworth exits hurriedly. Sam takes off
after Kayworth. Scarlet remains behind.]
Scarlet
What if
he's right? No. He is right. (she sighs) I can't lead this people.
And after everything Sam and I have been through to get here, I..I
don't want to. No. I can't give up. For my parents, my friends,
myself? For Sam, my only love.
[Scarlet
turns to leave just as Kayworth steps back into the throne
room shutting and locking the door.]
Kayworth
It
seems you aren't the only foolish one. So, the heir was a little girl
this whole time. How unfortunate, for you rebels that is. One silly
girl controlled by... what was it you called him, your “only love?”
(Kayworth draws his sword) You have but one escape. You might make it
out those doors behind you, or I could kill you before you reached
them.
Scarlet
I'm not
a coward. If I die, you will be the one to suffer, as I haunt you
till the end of your days.
Kayworth
Haunt
me?
Scarlet
Yes.
Kayworth
Till
the end of my days?
Scarlet
I will!
Kayworth
I don't
believe in Spirits.
Scarlet
Perhaps.
But I'll haunt you just the same.
Kayworth
Oh
dear. That does sound chilling. But what of your “one love”?
Scarlet
He is
strong. He will fight on.
Kayworth
No, no.
That is not what I meant. I meant, who is to save him from my sword
if I kill you? (Pause) That's right girly, you will not be the only
one to die.
Scarlet
IF YOU
TOUCH HIM--!
Kayworth
You
will what? Haunt me till the end of my days? You've already made that
oath! No. I will kill you, and then I will kill him, and anyone who
dares to challenge me!
Scarlet
Unless
I manage to kill you first! (They fight)
Kayworth
Not too
bad a swordsmen for a child.
Scarlet
Sam
taught me.
Kayworth
Oh the
boy who's lost trying to find me out there.
Scarlet
He's
not a fool. He'll be here soon enough.
Kayworth
Quite
right.
[Kayworth
slashes at Scarlet's side, cutting her skin, although not
fatally. Scarlet screams in pain. Sam is heard banging on the
locked door.]
Sam
Scarlet!
SCARLET!!!
[Sam
stops pounding the door, running around get to the other
doors. Kayworth laughs. He slices Scarlet on the back of her
leg where she is exposed by her armor. Scarlet screams louder
and collapses to the ground. Kayworth raises his sword to
finish her off right as Sam runs in through the other doors.]
Sam
COWARD!
(they fight)
Kayworth
You are
good.
Sam
My
father trained me my whole life so I could kill YOU!
Kayworth
So be
it, he shall die as well. (pause) I will kill every last one of you!
And you can die next to the kingdom's worthless heir. I'll kill you
like I KILLED HER.
[Sam
screams as he stabs Kayworth in the stomach.]
Kayworth
(weakly)
no, you can't take my kingdom.
[Kayworth
swings his sword at Sam which barely misses him. Then,
Kayworth dies. Sam hurries to over to Scarlet and cradles her
in his arms.]
Scarlet
Sam..I'm
sorry.
Sam
Shush.
(Sam rips off a piece of clothe from his shirt and binds the wound on
Scarlet's leg) You're not to blame.
Scarlet
Did we
win?
Sam
Kayworth
is dead.
Scarlet
Sam, I
deserve to die. I could never lead this people. I could never be a
good ruler.
Sam
You
don't have to die though!
Scarlet
It's
better this way.
Sam
Better
or easier? (Pause) We need to bind your side before you lose too much
blood. (Sam lifts Scarlet into his arms)
Scarlet
Sam.
Sam.
Sam
What?
Scarlet
Sam.
Saam.
Sam
What?
What is it.
Scarlet
Sa—(scarlet
passes out)
Sam
Scarlet!
[Sam
quickly lays Scarlet back on the floor. Panicked, Sam
quickly takes off his breast plate, and takes off his shirt
completely. He uses the shirt to stop the flow of blood on
Scarlet's side. Desperate, Sam rips down one of the throne
room curtains and uses it to wrap Scarlet as well. He lifts
Scarlet's legs.]
Sam
Please
Scarlet please! Don't leave me. I never got to tell you just how
much... I've always loved you.
Scarlet
(very
softly) Sam?
Sam
I'm
here. Stay here with me.
Scarlet
(stronger
now) Sam? I feel sick.
Sam
I'm
sure it will pass.
Scarlet
Sam?
Sam
Yes?
Scarlet
I heard
what you said.
Sam
Oh?
Scarlet
I've
always loved you too.
Sam
You're
a princess. I'm just a knight.
Scarlet
No,
you're much more than a knight. You're young, handsome and sweet. And
you are my best friend.
Sam
But is
that enough?
Scarlet
It's
always been enough. Sam, I really love you. And if I make it through
this...
Sam
When
you make it through this.
Scarlet
Could
we be more than friends?
Sam
Miss
Scarlet, peasant girl, princess, warrior, and love of my life. Please
stay with me now. And if you except, will you marry me?
Scarlet
It took
you long enough. Yes. A thousand times yes!
[Sam helps Scarlet to sit up and cradles her in his arms.]
Sam
We'll
figure things out. Together.
[They
Kiss. The lights go out.]
