THE QUEEN OF LIGHT

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Standing on a platform above and behind the action, KAEHEN views the battle. He carries a metal-and- acrylic rifle. This "high-tech" weapon appears anachronistic when contrasted with the swords; it also clashes with ONA's appearance, who stands center on the platform.

ONA wears a long gown and flowing cape indicative of a more primitive era. Her bearing and dress are regal. Her face is hidden by a hood pulled low over her forehead. Her only adornment is a jeweled cross hanging from a heavy chain about her neck.

She descends the steps. Unseen by the combatants, she walks round them, heedless of the flashing steel. She steps between LAIRD and FREYLA, whose swords parry round her.

(FREYLA and LAIRD cross swords above their heads. ONA snaps her fingers. All freeze. ONA walks between the two to stand beneath the deadly canopy of steel.)

ONA: This was not how he'd envisioned his wedding day.

(ONA pulls back her hood. She wears a coronet. She has a bemused manner about her as she discusses the earnest combatants. The smile could almost distract from the scar that disfigures her face.)

ONA (continued): Oh, there was the obligatory pomp and ceremony, banners flying, troops in full regalia. Everything was properly magnificent for the marriage of Laird, High King of the Outlands.

(ONA steps out of harm's way and snaps her fingers. Swordfight continues behind her.)

ONA (continued): But where was his blushing, virginal princess fresh from the convent? Where the shy maiden waiting dew-eyed to become his obedient wife, so very grateful to be made his queen?

(LAIRD backs away, catching his breath.)

(During above, FREYLA advances in a series of thrusts and lunges. LAIRD falls, crashing to the ground. All freeze at ONA's command.)

ONA (continued): Freeze display. Oh, that must have hurt. Isolate.

(ONA points to LAIRD's left boot, awkwardly angled against the floor. Lights go black except for tight spots on LAIRD's boots and ONA. The boots are garishly jeweled, high-heeled monstrosities.)

ONA (continued): Those boots! Atrocious. If they'd been a wedding gift from anyone but Brannock, Laird would have tossed them in a closet, never to be seen again. Tacky! More jewels on these monstrosities than on my crown. Hm! And they call us barbarians!

(ONA kneels and fingers something fine that seems to stretch beyond the boots.)

ONA (continued): Trip-wire, twisted round the gem above the heel. Laird, what possessed you to wear these into battle? Even what should have been a mock battle. Now, these insults to the eyes are going to be the death of you, my dear, dear little brother. You just couldn't say no to Brannock. You never could.

(ONA lifts her head, as if responding to an inner voice. She affectionately pats LAIRD and rises.)

ONA (continued): Acknowledge narrative interrupt. Inquiry: Brannock.

(Lights dissolve on ONA and LAIRD. LAIRD and FREYLA exit. Lights reveal BRANNOCK by the podium. A large book lays open on it.)

ONA (continued): Brannock. King of a minor province in the unincorporated Eastern outlands prior to unification. Third in the Volpone line. Born in the year of our Lord twenty-six and -- calendar change acknowledged -- born in the two-hundred-and- twelfth year after landing. Died landing year 287. An early supporter of the claim of Laird the First of -- Acknowledged. Restart. Wedding of Freyla the Seventh. Eyewitness account. Source: "Steel and Light: The Road to Unification." Author: Ona Ironwood, sister of Laird the First. Set visual: display author.

(ONA steps into the light on the podium. She turns to an earlier page in the book.)

ONA (continued): Personality module on ... Ah! That's better. Now, what else are you after ... Level 1? First time through the histories? I'll be gentle. You've selected a most interesting day for study. A day nearly two years in the planning, so, of course, nothing went as planned. Weddings are like that. Though, in faith, I acknowledge that a wedding -- the blessed union of man and woman -- is a holy sacrament of the Father Church. Still, in my worldly experience, most wedding ceremonies are unmitigated disasters. This one especially. You'd hardly describe it a rousing success when the bride tries to disembowel the groom. And that before they'd got to the cake. That's what comes of putting politicians in charge of the nuptials.

(Lights rise on trunks, revealing LAIRD seated, struggling to pull on a garish boot. He's shed the armor and is dressed to meet his bride. A cape and crown lie on the trunk beside him. BRANNOCK gives LAIRD a backslap that nearly knocks him to the floor.)

(BRANNOCK places crown on LAIRD's head. They stare ahead, as if gazing into a mirror. LAIRD scratches at his beard.)

(Cheering of crowds. ONA rests a possessive hand on LAIRD's shoulder, looking over the landscape, as if seeing the kingdom through Laird's eyes.)

ONA (continued): The surrounds of the fortress were a gaudy riot of banners. Brannock's crest of the Twisted Claw flew above the Royal Viewing Stand, with Laird's Blazing Briar taking precedence above the palisades. Vendors hawked their wares to be- ribboned girls and powdered dandies. Aging soldiers strutted moth-balled glory before young warriors festooned with gleaming swords and shields. Overnight, the barren plain was transformed into a sea of encampments. Somewhere, amid the soldier's tents and gypsy caravans, Laird's bride had bivouacked the previous evening, ...

(Lights rise on platform. ONA reluctantly breaks her contact with LAIRD, pushing him on his way. He ascends the platform as she crosses to the podium.)

(The music trails off. BRANNOCK joins LAIRD. Both smile uncomfortably. Waiting.)

(The sound of firecrackers.)

(Lights rise on VIRENE standing at the base of the platform steps.)

(VIRENE, now beside LAIRD at the top of the platform, is several inches taller than he.)

(VIRENE holds out her hands. LAIRD takes them, then ceremonially kisses her on both cheeks, needing to rise on his toes to reach. The banner of the Proprietorship is raised, joining the other banners. VIRENE bows to LAIRD, then crosses to ONA.)

(ONA takes VIRENE's light-pistol and displays it to audience. It is an acrylic and metal weapon with beautiful lines.)

(Sound of cheering crowds. But LAIRD doesn't raise his eyes from the pistol.)