Dreaming in Autumn, Act III
A recently-recovered original manuscript of a classical Evylonian play, restored in part. Differences from modern adaptations intrigue those scholars who have had the opportunity to read it directly.
Bound in thick, black leather once dyed a deep purple, faded since over time. The words are recorded in a slight, tidy script in violet ink. A small gem glows softly from the worn cover, holding an unnamed, arcane magic.
Act III; Scene II
SETTING:
We are in the liminal space of the entryway to LAGOE'S homestead, a dilapidated townhouse in the filthy streets of Alzock. A door is set in the middle of the stage, on one side is the dying garden and pitted cobbled road, on the other side is safety from the pursuing guards, convinced of KIHNTER'S guilt for the murder of FOTHRY.
AT RISE:
KIHNTER enters from outside the house, accompanied for the moment by YID, both look harried, KIHNTER looks over his shoulder several times as they approach.
(to KIHNTER)
Surely they would believe you yet? This can not be the only way, friend.
Lagoe will have an answer for me yet, he said he would find the real killer, prove my innocence. You simply have not known him as I have.
Yes but I do not believe you will like the answer, that is what has me so worried. If I cannot turn you away from this path, can I at least ask that you keep your eyes open for what is staring you right in the face.
You always speak such nonsense, Yid.
Goodbye, Kihnter.
(YID pats KIHNTER on the shoulder, before turning to walk away from the scene. He walks off center stage and leaves the building. KIHNTER watches YID leave, then knocks on the door.)
(off)
Is that you Kihnter? You return swiftly if so!
(LAGOE enters from the opposite side of the door from KIHNTER, approaching it in a few swift strides before pulling it open, a terminal expression wrapped upon his face. KIHNTER pushes his way in past him.)
Lagoe! It is terrible. They say there is a man who saw me slay Fothry on that dreadful day! Yid told me they were surely wrong, but you promised me you could divine who truly committed that gruesome act.
Ah yes, as to the matter of our dear friend, I have your answer.
(LAGOE closes the door.)
The witnesses were not simply beguiled, friend Kihnter, they did see a man just like you cut down your friend. That is undeniable. But there is one thing you have not considered.
What do you mean?
(HOODED FIGURE enters.)
(panicked)
Who is this?
Do you not recognize your friend, Kihnter?
(HOODED FIGURE removes its hood, it is FOTHRY.)
(afraid)
That is not possible, I saw your body. You died.
And you were seen killing me, yet you did not. Is that not curious, friend?
Curious indeed?
What have you done, Lagoe?
(KIHNTER attempts to open the door. It remains closed.)
(afraid)
Lagoe? Fothry? Please, please tell me.
Let me show you.
(LAGOE removes his face.)
This would not have had to happen if you had simply let them take you away. But we will deal with this one last loose end.
We?
(FOTHRY removes his face. THE AUDIENCE removes their faces.)
We have been waiting so long, friend.
Wait, stop, this isn't part of the show. Why did I say that?
We're so hungry, friend.
(KIHNTER attempts to escape his FRIENDS. KIHNTER cannot escape. You are so hungry.)
