# ACT 1 ## CHAPTER 1 — “Slash-and-Burn” > 5 mins. each scene (remove 395 words). *GARIOS* — (They arrive at Rhemtoil.) “Smell that? Have to say… I’ll never be used to Battania’s special smell.” (He dismounts.) “Ash, mud… and the potent stink of shit. Look—a river, think they ever use it?” *ARENICOS* — “Stronger than I remembered. Think I feel a headache coming on.” (He dismounts.) “Back then, hiding in the woods, I must’ve blotted it all out. My senses were rabid. Don’t know about you, but for me: every splash, every snap, seemed a hundred-times louder. I always thought a confident step could be a curse. Heavy-footed, I am. Had I been born a thief, I’d been damned.” *GARIOS* — (He nods.) “You and I both.” *ARENICOS* — “Thanks again for coming, Garios. Nice to finally chat after… well—everything.” *GARIOS* — “My pleasure, old friend. Feels good reacquainting ourselves. Much changed since we last spoke.” *ARENICOS* — “Right, remember the stablemaster?” *GARIOS* — (He smiles ear to ear.) “Of course—who’d forgot those jugs? Her name alludes me though… Was a ‘castle’ of a woman! Impenetrable, unmoving. Wouldn’t let us armor our horses, until we properly saddled them.” *ARENICOS* — “Ha! She was stern wasn’t she? ‘Here’s how you maintain a harness.’ ‘How you strap a harness.’ ‘How you takeoff a harness.’ I swear, she used the word ‘harness’ like a mace, bashing our heads in!” *GARIOS* — “Oh and that phrase, what was it? ‘Harness a harness’—over, and over. Infuriating. All we wanted to learn was barding—not 100 lessons on packing. Ended up pilfering the armory, and snuck into the stables at night. As everyone slept, we practiced barding. On and off. Got pretty fast too. I got us to race, didn’t I? Ha! You never beat me once. Too worried about the noise.” *ARENICOS* — “You weren’t worried enough! If you recall, the stablemaster caught us. Sent us packing that night. Ah! She was a bit of a saddle-obsessed woman, huh? But, believe it or not, few days ago the stablemaster’s words rang in my ear. Spent days going over baggage-train protocol—give thanks to our old stablemaster, because the trains move faster, carry more, and cost less now. I’ll share more details with you and the other generals soon.” *GARIOS* — “Great!” (The villagers gather, lighting the forest afire to farm.) “Even greater—more ash... they’ve some strong stomachs.” *ARENICOS* — “That reminds me. Is ‘Iron-belly’ still around? Haven’t seen him in ages.” *GARIOS* — “No, retired after the Legions were… paused. Settled down. Married that women who cut him good. *ARENICOS* — “Mmm, really lived up to his name.” *GARIOS* — “If anyone else married one who shanked them, I’d call them mad. But Iron, despite being a barbarian, was surprisingly civil. Hope he’s doing well.” *ARENICOS* — “I’m sure he is. Hey… maybe he’ll talk some sense into this new High King for us, eh?” *GARIOS* — “Wouldn’t count on it. No High King in history has ever agreed to peace, Aeril being the exception. And considering that recent raid—safe to say, history’s not changing.” *ARENICOS* — “Never know. After they see our strength here today—in this show of force. So long as our troops don’t kill anyone, Battania could reconsider. If not… I’ll talk with the senate, get their thoughts.” *GARIOS* — (The fire is growing.) “The senate? They’re a bed of snakes, Arenicos. They’d watch cities burn if it meant winning a bet. All to boost their vanity. I wouldn’t trust any of them. Listen… first vikings raid us, now Battanians. It’s a pattern. Soon, all the barbarians will join in. Battania needs to be an example of what happens when savages raid our lands.” *ARENICOS* — “That isn’t going to happen. Besides, I can’t go ahead with war. Not without the senate’s approval. I’d like everyone on board before I—” *GARIOS* — “Oh, horseshit! You haven’t changed at all. You’re too concerned with what other’s think.” *ARENICOS* — “And—what’s wrong with that? I know you hate the senate, Garios, but they’re really not that bad…” *GARIOS* — “They are though. Anyone who affiliates with me is wronged by them. First Calytos, then Panalea, and now Varros—they just kicked him for taking bribes, which they all do. It’s because of me, Varros was ejected. Ever since my uncle demanded land grants for veterans, it seems they’ve been targeting my house and anyone close to it.” *ARENICOS* — “You think they’re secretly undermining me? Why..? Because we used to be friends. Look, they’re paying for everything, Garios. Keeping us afloat. While yes, I depend on their coin, I’m no puppet. Neretzes left me an empty treasury.” *GARIOS* — “So old Lucon got you preaching peace? To what? Save money—you expect me to believe that?” *ARENICOS* — “No. He disapproves. Same as you. It’s my own choice… I want to believe long-lasting peace is possible. That we can put to bed these constant wars by talking instead killing.” *GARIOS* — “Rhagaea then? Your wife, inspired this?” *ARENICOS* — (Arenicos looks away—the flames spark.) *GARIOS* — “Hmm. Hate to say it, but that’s moonshine. A false exit. Like Lucon’s revival of the old republic. Another dead-end. Time to make a choice, Arenicos—don’t wait until your hand’s forced. Every day the barbarians grow stronger. And one can’t ignore war at their door step, and it is... Whether you want to see that, or not! Our lives are at stake. Will you defend us—or let us be consumed?” *ARENICOS* — “Defend. Obviously. But we’re dysfunctional enough already. Too many wounds, too many civil wars. I won’t risk another by declaring war without exercising the proper channels.” *GARIOS* — “Arenicos… what kills the most men isn’t the melee. It’s when the line breaks, and all flee—fear kills the most men. Please. I should’ve blamed you. The Legion’s disbandment was the senate’s doing. Manipulation. I’ve only ever demanded two things: land for soldiers, and their respect—I’ve never wanted anything myself. But I do now…” (Garios kneels.) “Your majesty, reinstate the Legions, raise our banners, and declare war on Battania. When we’ve marched down their throat, if any civil wars are smoldering at home, I’ll snuff them out personally. Then we’ll plan on recapturing the Empire’s lost lands… Let the barbarians silence be our peace.” *ARENICOS* — (He sighs.) “I can’t, Garios—I’m sorry. I’d be betraying Lucon. And breaking Rhagaea’s heart. More war would only add to the list of grievances many have for the Empire. Both within and out. War, to me, is like orphans, beggars, and madmen—I’ve seen enough as is…” *GARIOS* — “I see.” (He stands.) “Was worried this’d happen.” (He mounts.) “You know… When I joined you here, I’d thought to save you—help you see truth. I visualized what you’d say. I ran the numbers. Got some worrying scenarios. But the one which worried me most of all, was if it didn’t matter—nothing I say could sway you. Not because you’re naïve, or willfully ignorant, as those’d be preferable to the far more terrible truth—you’re broken… You worked so hard to keep the Empire from shattering, it shattered you... Reality is—we’ve already fractured. Civil war has been on the horizon for awhile now. Even before Neretzes’ death… Every one of us was a shard, whose stained glass you tried to piece back together—but we never fit. Only you desperately twisted, bent, and ripped yourself apart keeping us whole. And the worst of it is, old friend… you may be too far gone to see that…” (Garios rides off.) *ARENICOS* — (As Arenicos stands alone, a gust of wind knocks up a burning leaf, carrying it to a thatched roof. Its landing is blocked by straw. As Arenicos struggles to see smoke rise, reflecting on Garios’ words, he wonders if a fire really had started.)