House of dragons

"Wand of Fire, the magical stick that very few were aware of. Lord Charles used to take care of it. I didn't know what would happen if it broke. But one thing I knew for sure- As long as my father is alive, no one could do any harm to that."

[LIGHTS ON; SETUP: A ROYAL COURT SETUP IN WHICH A MAIN CHAIR AND FOUR OTHER CHAIRS, TWO ON EACH SIDE]

Someone shouts: Your Majesty is arriving!

[Joe, George (both wizards) and Alfred (an old man) stand up from their places… Henry along with Charles (old wizard limping with a stick) enter. Both Joe and George bow in front of Charles.]

[Henry indicates all to sit. All five takes their place]

Henry: Sorry Sir Alfred, I called you in a hurry but it was important…

Alfred: What's the matter, your majesty?

Henry: A number of wizards who were opposing human reservations in administration have sat on protest near the palace.

Alfred: Your majesty, talks are already going on as far as I know…

Henry: Yes but those talks are failing every time. They seem adamant to take back the decision!

Joe: Pardon me your majesty, but why don't you just instruct wizard soldiers to take the control. You are the authority, you can decide whatever you want, they don't have any right to protest…

Henry: Joe, for me, this authority is an honour given by my father to serve all. At the end of the day, I want everyone to be satisfied.

Joe: You are really great, your majesty!

Alfred: I think we should also invite those dissent leaders to your 50th birthday which is just ten days away. Till then, talks must go on. If no breakthrough occurs, then we may consider giving them some better proposals.

Henry: Seems a good idea. What's your view Lord Charles?

Charles: I think Alfred is right…

Henry: Ok then, brother, just convey my invitation to all of them.

George: Sure!

Alfred: Maybe we can also keep the option of taking back the decision in case…

George (interrupting): No!!!... (standing and moving around) Sorry Sir Alfred… But I don't think his majesty should even consider taking back the decision. This reservation is a boon to all humans who have been considered inferior just because they don't possess powers! There are always evil elements in society who oppose a good decision. But we should not bow to them. Right brother? (He sits.)

Henry: Yes, I completely agree. Currently we shouldn't even think of that. I am sure wizards and witches will understand that there is no harm to them.

Alfred: As you wish your majesty.

Henry: Should we leave then? We also have to inaugurate the new wizard school.

Charles: Yes we should.

[All rise up. Henry, Charles and Alfred start leaving while Joe and George remain.]

Henry: Won't you come with us brother?

George: No… I am fine here.

Joe: And I would also like to stay here, your majesty.

Henry: As you wish…

[All three leave]

(George starts smiling)

Joe: Can I know since when you have developed so much sympathy for humans?

George: Sympathy! And that for humans! Oh… Nice joke!

Joe: Then what was that?

George: Come on Joe! (moving around and touching the king's seat)… I have found a way to get what belongs to me…

Joe: You mean King's place? How??

George: If we instigate protesting wizards against humans such that this protest turns violent, there will be mass destruction… a lot of humans will die… My small brother, he will be the most guilty wizard in this world and will leave his place after labelling himself as the worst ever king... (Going near the king's seat) Then this royal seat will be mine forever! I will be the king!

Joe: Wow! Then we can even kick out Alfred and Charles!,.. But how will you execute it?

George(smiling): Call Bancroft…

[LIGHTS OFF] (Narrator's voice)

"If my father was found to be deserving, what was his fault? Uncle George, he had always been jealous of my father. Had we known his intentions that time, we would have stopped him. But unfortunately, we didn't."

[LIGHTS ON; SETUP: Few wizards sitting together and a wizard addressing them.]

Wizard: Can we bow in front of them? Do you want that the legality of magical spells be decided by a human? King has only a witch daughter! He has no queen... King's brother, he has no child! His fourth wife has left too! There is no other wizard left in the royal family! Whom do you see as your next king? I, Bancroft, is telling you that it's a ploy to make a human king in future! What if that human king suppresses our magical powers? Nothing is coming out of the talks…King has made the plot with humans to finish us! It's the time, get up! Fly off! Use all kinds of illegal spells! We will take it upon ourselves against the humans!

[LIGHTS OFF] (Narrator's voice)

[INTENSE LIGHT USED NOW]

"Such were the instigating speeches given by so called mass leaders who were greedy for money and position! Rumours were spreading like fire in a forest. Claims were being made out of nowhere. More and more wizards were joining these protests. [Simultaneously with previous line; Voiceless scene; LIGHTS INTENSITY UP: Few wizards are going together and raising slogans; LIGHTS INTENSITY DOWN TO OFF QUICKLY] Situation was deteriorating day by day. My father was trying his best to calm down the situation. [Simultaneously with previous line; Voiceless scene; LIGHTS INTENSITY UP: Henry, Alfred and Charles were standing, Henry looked little animated saying something; LIGHTS INTENSITY DOWN TO OFF QUICKLY] And finally that happened which we never wanted, yes, violence. Those humans who opposed the protest started being killed. [Simultaneously with previous line; Voiceless scene; LIGHTS INTENSITY UP: A wizard moving and jumping towards a human; LIGHTS INTENSITY DOWN TO OFF QUICKLY] They were being hunted like animals. And these killings soon turned into mass killings where even innocent people were being killed. [Simultaneously with previous line; Voiceless scene; LIGHTS INTENSITY UP: Few dead people lying on ground; LIGHTS INTENSITY DOWN TO OFF QUICKLY] Human blood was spread everywhere. My father got to know that it was all done by his brother. And he did what had to be done by a king. [Simultaneously with previous line; Voiceless scene; LIGHTS INTENSITY UP: Henry kills George with a dagger who is on his feets; LIGHTS INTENSITY DOWN TO OFF QUICKLY] Uncle George got what he deserved. I could see my father dejected. [Simultaneously with previous line; Voiceless scene; LIGHTS ON: Henry with his hand at back moves to and fro with a dejected face while Sophie watches him from a distance]. And for the first time, I felt bad for humans. Yes, I didn't like them, but I never wanted to see them dying! I could feel for my father who was trying his best but everything was going in vain. [LIGHTS OFF] Humans were still being killed. Riots were far from over…And then came the night I can never forget…the night of 4th December…"

[BACK TO YELLOW LIGHTS NOW]

[LIGHTS ON; SETUP: A table at back with a golden stick kept on it]

[A wizard with his face hidden with a cloth comes. He moves quietly near the table. He keeps looking at a golden stick and picks it up when Charles and Alfred arrive]

Charles: Hey! Who are you? Put that down or I will have to use my powers!! (The wizard doesn't do anything) I said put that down and show up your face!

(He removes his cloth.)

Charles: Your Majesty!! You in such a disguise! Why??

(Henry doesn't reply. Charles after thinking)

Charles: Wait a minute!... I hope you are not thinking of doing that!

Henry (talking to himself): I have decided…

[Sophie comes there too]

Charles: Decided what??

Henry (talking to himself): This is the only way left…

Alfred: What are you saying your Majesty…

Henry (yelling): I can't see so many humans dying!... I have to break this Wand of Fire…

Charles: No!!... No your Majesty… Listen to me… We will find a solution soon, I am sure…

He

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nry(interrupting): What solution? Already hundreds of humans have died and more are dying everyday!... Those red blooded human faces… Some with ears cut… Some with no eyes… I see them even in my dreams! It's enough now!

Charles: Your Majesty you are a little disturbed… You know the whole witch community will die if you break that!! Just keep it down…

[Charles moves towards Henry]

Henry (moving back): Don't move!! Otherwise I will have to stop you forcefully!

[He stops]

Alfred: Listen to us your majesty…This will not do good to anyone…

Sophie: Dad! I don't want to die!

Henry: Sophie… I am really helpless my dear… But... But these wizards have turned selfish… They have taken the path of destruction… I have tried everything… This is the only way now!

Sophie: But dad!

Henry: Sorry Sophie… I don't have any option now! I have dishonoured my father, I have dishonoured all my predecessors! I have committed a sin for which I will be never forgiven…

Charles: It isn't your fault your majesty! It was all done by your brother…

Henry: Doesn't matter now! The only thing which I want is an end to all this violence!

Charles (yelling): Why so much love for humans!... I mean even we want to stop this but not like this way! Everyone will die! You, your daughter and everyone! Please keep that back…

Henry: I don't want to listen to anything now! I have decided!

Alfred: Your majesty… Please don't do this. This will finish your whole community.

Henry: I don't care now! I just have to save humans… I have to stop it…I have to stop this now! Sorry

Sir Alfred! Sorry Lord Charles! Sorry Sophie…

[Henry takes the magical stick near his head and murmurs something keeping his eyes closed.]

Charles: No! Stop!

Sophie: No dad! Please…

[Charles moves towards him limping. Henry sits on his one knee and breaks the stick.]

[Henry, Charles and Sophie fall on their feet]

Charles: You fool! You were right! You are truly a disgrace to your father and wizard community. Royal family will be punished for this! You love humans a lot! Right? (He closes his eyes)

Henry: No!!!

Charles: I, the son of Lordfather Alexander, summon all my powers and transform the royal family into humans. I also request you to transform them into demons on their 50th birthday… (open his eyes)…Go… Live with humans… You can't even kill yourself now…

[He smiles and dies.]

Alfred (in low voice): What have you done Charles…

[Henry and Sophie also become unconscious. 5 seconds later, they get up.]

Sophie: Dad…

[She goes and holds her father. He sees Charles and goes and sits near him]

Henry: Sorry Lord Charles…

[Suddenly he remembers something. He stands and throws his one hand. Nothing happens. He then murmurs something and again throws his one hand forward. He looks stressed. He again starts

murmuring… ]

Alfred: Nothing will happen your majesty… Everything is over…

Henry: No!.... You mean the words said by Lord Charles are true?

Alfred: Yes…That's why you and Royal Highness are still alive here.

Henry (looking at Charles): Why Lord Charles?? Why did you do this to me… You took away all the powers from me!

Henry (after thinking): Wait…50th Birthday…My 50th birthday is just two days away!... (turning towards Alfred) Sir Alfred… What will happen when I change to demon? Will I…

Alfred: Yes, you will destroy the whole world your majesty…

Henry: No! I can't kill everyone! Isn't there any way to remove the curse?

Alfred: Charles has used the powers given to him by Great Alexander. There's no way we can remove the curse, but…

Henry: What?

Alfred: We cannot remove the curse. But you can be…

Henry: Can be what?

Alfred: You can be killed but only by princess…

Henry: Sophie?...

Alfred: Yes your majesty… Only she can kill you. My grandfather gained all his knowledge from Great Alexander who was his only human as well as most devoted student… He had told him about this curse… And my grandfather passed all his knowledge to me.

Sophie (shouting): No! I won't!!!

Henry (shouting): Sophie… You will have to!... (Calming himself) Okay… Come here…

[She goes to him. Henry sitting on his knees.]

Henry: Sophie… Who you are?

Sophie: What do you mean? I am your daughter…

Henry: No! You are not my daughter… You are the princess whose first priority is to look after its kingdom…

Sophie: But…But I can't kill my father! No!...

Henry: Sophie… Why don't you understand! Even if you don't kill me I will kill everyone including you my dear!

Sophie: But… I can't dad…

Henry (interrupting): Do you want your father's sacrifice to go in vain? Do you want me to destroy this whole world?

Sophie: No dad!

Henry: Then do what I say! Ok?

Alfred: Your father is correct princess… You should be proud of him. And make sure that his act of greatness doesn't go in vain…

Henry: Yes Sophie… You can't let me down…

[She is crying.]

Sophie: But at least we can stay together for two days! Right?

Henry: No Sophie… (standing and moving around) I will have to die now itself… I don't want your mind to change. … And moreover I don't want humans to know the truth…It may risk your safety…

Sir Alfred… I need one last favour from you…

Alfred: Order your Majesty…

Henry: Keep my Sophie safe…

Alfred: Don't worry…She will always be like my granddaughter…No one will know her identity ever…

Henry: Thanks Sir Alfred… One last question… This curse is on my daughter too… So how will she…

Alfred: Don't worry about that… I will take care… Sadly all your coming generations will have to give this sacrifice… You are really great…

Henry: Ok then, tell what Sophie has to do…

Alfred: She will have to say a spell and at the end of it, cut your hand…

Henry: Are you ready Sophie? Huh…

Sophie: Dad…

Henry: Yah, Okay… (looking towards Alfred) You can start…

[He sits down on his knees and takes out his dagger and makes Sophie hold it]

Alfred: Repeat after me princess…

 "I beseech the wizened druids of the Earth"

 [Henry nods towards her. She is crying but repeats]

"Bring your powers in action" (She repeats)

 "Setting the soul free"

[She repeats half when Lucy who became quite restless closes the book shouting "No!" (LIGHTS OFF) and stands abruptly]

[She breathes fastly which could be heard and comes out of the table. She moves around]

[SIMPLE LIGHTS ON: Scene 2 Setup]

[She looks here and there. She looks very stressed and moves here and there and runs back to the book which she picks up and opens the last page quickly. She moves around reading]

Lucy: Sophie died…Yes… She died with her father…The one who is writing this is the princess…Sophie didn't liked humans… Fool she was…After living for so many years, this princess has surely developed a liking…Finally, I hope the one who is reading this won't disrespect what your Royal Highness wants. You know what. Meet you on your 50th birthday dear!

[Lucy is still shocked. She starts crying and sits on her knees, heads down.]

A voice: "RIGESCUNT INDUTAE!! (Lucy freezes) Lucy knows what to do…Do you know? We all will be serving people at some point of time. But the point lies whether we will do it selflessly? That's what we need to learn. If King Henry and Sophie can give so much big sacrifice, can't we make small changes to make this world a better place to live?"

[LIGHTS OFF]

[END]