*************
Introduction (Act 1)
Rogdan and Waldemar enter the stage
R (enthusiastically, addressing the direction of the presumed Clematis):
And so, Clematis beckons us near,
Its walls are now within our reach.
You and I, "Golden Griffins",
Shall enter legends, and with glory
We shall crown our heads.
W:
Yes, yes, indeed.
R (uncorking a flask):
Then let us drink to that!
W:
What is this, some kind of compote?
Why in roadside taverns
Do you fill our flasks,
Which ought to hold
Only noble wine?
R (shrugging and taking a sip):
Don't be so stern, my friend.
I know a tale
Of Tonis, a glorious hero
From the Serberian lands.
He, as it happened, after tasting
Apricot compote...
Someone behind the curtain (Air and Alessia) energetically mimics the sound of many horses' hooves galloping
R:
What is this? Suddenly, from nowhere
A host of riders moves toward us!
Brahea appears on stage.
B (addressing no one in particular):
And so, I have caught them!
B (angrily and loudly):
Caught you, filthy bandits!
Contraband scum!
Rotten, vile curs!
Surrender or lay
Your heads down right here!
W (boldly, stepping forward):
You shall answer for your insolence.
I know not who you are, but I
Am called Waldemar Carafa,
Raised to the nobility.
The merits of my house
Are renowned in distant Lisliar.
As for your words, foul-mouthed wench,
I would shove them back down your throat,
And then, perhaps,
You would remember your place.
Identify yourself first, impudent girl,
And only then shall we speak.
B (preparing her spear for attack, aiming at Waldemar):
You deny nothing,
Which means my judgment is correct!
In our blessed land, those like you
Have no place! There is no forgiveness for them!
I have changed my mind; alive
You shall not leave this place!
Let it be your solace in your dying hour
To know: Brahea Air el Sufir
Is my name.
R (to Waldemar):
My friend, you have erred greatly.
Apologize quickly, or else
You will bring great misfortune
Upon yourself and the "Griffin".
W:
I am insulted—and I should ask for forgiveness?
Truly, my comrade, you have become a coward.
I did not leave my pride at home.
I shall not say another word to her.
R (aside):
O gods!
The day will come when that blind pride
Will lead our friend to the grave.
(To Brahea)
I beg you, lady, be merciful!
We have arrived from distant lands
And we are not bandits at all, I swear!
We failed to recognize in your beautiful countenance
A Countess and sister to the Empress.
Please, forgive Sir Waldemar;
He is a good sir, though sharp of tongue.
B (raising her spear):
It seems some among you
Know how to choose their words.
Setting aside my anger, I see:
You are likely not of those,
Those wretched scoundrels
Whom I intended to capture.
For my false accusations,
I ask your forgiveness.
(Waves her hand)
But what was said by this man (points spear at Waldemar)
Cannot be left alone, and Valf Caramar
Shall go to the dungeon. Execute it.
W:
So be it. To the dungeons I go.
(Aside)
We shall taste bitterness with this country!
Curtain.
**********
Act 2
Waldemar sits at a table, next to him is a stack of paper. Waldemar writes and mutters under his breath
W:
I am called Waldemar Carafa,
The merits of my house
Are renowned in distant Lisliar.
I am a nobleman, as was my father,
And grandfather, and all other ancestors.
I ask forgiveness for my insolence
Before the Imperial family
And pledge henceforth to conduct myself differently
In Clematis.
I am called Waldemar Carafa,
Carafa Waldemar I am called...
Waldemar jumps up, throws the sheet and pen on the floor, clutches his head, and begins a monologue
W:
O Imrud! The sun does not shine here.
Damp walls, a frozen floor,
And the very air seems to stifle.
But more stifling are the sheet and pen.
The same thing, over and over—
It is no wonder one goes mad.
I look—and only marvel
How did I come to such a life?
I remember, in the past, in Lisliar,
Wine, women, and splendor.
I challenged foreigners,
The soul sang, the blade rang!
Gathering a squad, we wandered the world,
Fearing neither kings nor death.
Now, like a lion on a chain,
I am perched in a cell so cramped,
Forcing me to fulfill such an absurd task!
Where did I err, and why am I punished?
For the excessive bluntness of my soul!
Waldemar pauses and begins to pace the stage with a scowl.
Why do we live our lives?
Why do we rush to cities
And lock ourselves in stone enclosures
Where the mind is clouded by vanity,
Where a dagger is hidden behind every smile,
And everyone is exhausted by a frantic race
Though they have never once been in a saddle.
First, one rejoices in the fuss, and a day later
Melancholy grips with a bony paw... Ah, it's stifling, stifling!
Why did we come here?
Waldemar paces the stage silently for a bit longer, then turns his gaze toward the table with a determined expression.
W:
I foresee: there is still a cup of woes to drink!
However, it is time to take up the pen.
I am called Waldemar Carafa,
Carafa Waldemar I am called...
*******
Act 3
Vivian enters the stage. Her hands are modestly folded, a bright smile on her face. A crowd of spare actors behind the scene shouts "Vivian! Hurrah, Vivian! Vivian Air el Sufir! Vivian, bless us!", but gradually their voices fade. Eventually, everything stops.
Vivian carefully looks around and, seeing she is alone, allows herself a calmer and slightly sadder expression.
V:
And so, finally, I am free,
Having escaped from overseers and servants.
In slums full of mud and torment,
Faith grows stronger, and the soul is at peace.
I am needed here more than by the Empress,
Who, sated with delicacies, thinks only
Of how to arrange her great country
While her people languish in suffering.
The sated cannot understand the hungry,
When the rich do not wish to know the poor.
What use are palaces, what use are mansions
When a brother suffers nearby?
How to save a neighbor from a wretched fate—
One does not think of it, another knows not how.
My sister keeps telling me: forget these peasants,
Kindness will lead you to the grave! At times
There is wisdom in her words, but is it possible
To serve the good without sacrificing oneself?
Though I feel no peace anywhere,
And I must wear a mask of happiness,
I am still glad if this mask
Gives hope to someone, changes a life.
As stars shine for us in the darkness of night,
Love shall light the gloom of a pauper's life.
Pause.
Arteria-Love, I pray, grant me strength!
The noise of the crowd gradually increases, and it becomes clear that Vivian is not alone. The priestess composes herself and smiles joyfully, turning to her potential fans.
A lyre plays, performed by Anselm, and Vivian sings a beautiful, though not very common, Arterian song, which some of the students (primarily Anselm) were supposed to know well.
Yes, the song was not composed by the actors, but being appropriate for the moment, it had to be included.
V:
Rain and cold wind,
Taking possession of our flesh,
Make us suffer and grieve.
The past sleeps quietly beneath our eyelashes,
And we tell ourselves:
"Still, life is a miracle".
Humans are sad creatures, aren't they?
During the difficult journey of life
I lost my dreams and memories,
But the people who will come after us
Smile at us and wait for us.
Humans are wonderful creatures, aren't they?
When love takes possession of my heart
And the past sleeps quietly beneath my closed eyelashes,
I see the smiling faces of people from the future
And I tell myself:
"Humans are wonderful creatures, aren't they?"
Vivian slowly stops, and the music ends. Applause sounds, but it too passes. The priestess is alone again. She turns and slowly leaves the stage.
However, before Vivian can leave the stage, a figure tightly wrapped in a cloak appears and blocks the priestess's path. The figure draws a weapon.
V (backing away in fear):
I beg you, don't!
For the sake of Arteria, please don't!
The assassin seems to hesitate for a moment and also backs away to leave. But in the end, he snaps nervously and lunges at the priestess.
Vivian is struck by the weapon and falls
V:
I forgive you...
Bandit:
That's it!
And where is your Arteria now?
V:
And may Arteria forgive.
Curtain
*******
Act 4
(Rogdan enters the stage):
Woe to us! A terrible misfortune!
I have learned that Lady Vivian,
Who shone brighter than the brightest stars
With kindness, love, and a pure heart,
Has fallen slain by a bandit's hand.
Cursed be the turn of evil fate!
(Clutches his head and walks in a circle on stage)
But no!
Despair shall not overcome me!
Perhaps a chance has not yet been missed.
I am absolutely obliged to help,
Otherwise I am nobody, not Sir Rogdan!
(the scene changes to Brahea in the central square):
Sister, forgive me, I did not preserve you,
I did not shield you from the villain's hand.
May your soul sleep peacefully now,
Seeing eternal light in the goddess's embrace.
And the darkness and evil that surround the city
Shall soon know my righteous wrath.
(Rogdan appears, hurriedly approaching Brahea):
R: Brahea el Sufir! Your Highness, allow me...
B: And you are...
R: Rogdan, commander of the "Griffins".
R: We have met once before.
B: Ah yes, I recall now.
B: Please explain what you require.
R: Recently I learned of the terrible news
Regarding your dear sister,
And dared to hasten to help.
R: I am ready to offer my services!
B: Forgive me, who are you, Sir Rogdan?
B: However, helping here is beyond your power.
B (with a smirk): Perhaps only if from the grave
B: You could bring people back.
R: Not I, but the spirits of all heroes,
R: To whose past powers I am ready to call,
R: Then perhaps even the souls of the fallen
R: Shall return to the world, to the power of earthly shackles!
R: And therefore I ask forgiveness
R: That I disturbed your peace. But...
B: Not another word, follow me!
(the scenery changes to the amethyst palace; Lucretia stands by a flower-decorated bed in the center of the hall where dead Vivian lies):
Silly Vivi, you were told many times
Not to leave the palace and guards behind.
As you see, your own willful nature
Has now decided to punish you.
(Brahea and Rogdan enter):
L: Brahea, may I ask, why the haste?
L: Perhaps you have so few affairs now
L: That in an hour already quite difficult,
L: You bring a dirty peasant spirit into the palace?
B: Sister, cease your stinging words,
B: I am fed up with them to the brim.
B: This is Rogdan, a noble sir
(Rogdan bows low)
B: Who is capable of healing Vivi without effort.
L: What nonsense! Well, let us see...
L: Thank you, Brahea.
(Brahea nods briefly and leaves the stage)
R: I shall not betray your trust!
R: O, spirits of great and mighty heroes,
R: Whose hearts are famous for their deeds,
R: Answer the call, though I be unworthy!
R: Lian Fay, I summon thee!
(Gulveig speaks in the gentle voice of the incorporeal spirit Lian Fay):
LF: Who summoned my spirit?
R: Rogdan at your service!
LF: For evil or for good?
R: For the saving of a life.
LF: Then I shall be able to help you!
R (in chorus with Lian Fay): By the power of heroes and the call of good,
R: Now the soul shall return to life!
(An invisible "Lian Fay" casts "heal" on Vivian; after a few seconds, she opens her eyes, sits up, and looks around in amazement.)
V: Sister? But how... and what...
V: It is as if I awoke from a dream.
V: To whom for my own salvation
V: Should I be grateful?
(Lucretia turns to Rogdan)
L: Sir Rogdan, I shall remember your name.
L: And to reward your labor,
L: Your deed is undoubtedly worthy—
L (loudly to the "guards"): Escort him to the dungeon!
V (in horror): Sister, what are you doing, you cannot
V: Pay people thus for kindness!
L (slaps Vivian): Not a word! With you I
L: Still have a conversation pending!
L: Take him away; yours I shall decide
L: Later, the sentence.
R: I do not understand, is this the reward?
R: Be that as it may, I am ready to receive it.
R: Even eternity inside a casemate—
R: I helped Vivian regardless!
R: For me, this is the best payment.
(Rogdan leaves with his head held high, Vivian cries, Lucretia smirks with satisfaction)
(End of scene)
*******
Act 5
Rogdan is in the dungeon. He is chained to his chair by the arm with a long chain (rope?) to demonstrate this.
Further on the stage, so as not to attract attention initially, stands a second chair.
At the start of the act, he is reading a book. He sits with a sad but sincere smile. Finally, he looks up from reading and gazes directly at the audience.
R:
Lian Fay? Are you here?
May I speak with you?
LF (Gulveig from offstage, in a thin, calm voice):
Of course you may, my master.
R:
Lian Fay, I have wanted to express my gratitude
To you for a long time now!
Had your incorporeal spirit
Not appeared to aid me, then by no means
Would I have been able to help Lady Vivian!
Perhaps you ask where this help
Ultimately led us both?
In a damp human dungeon, for a short term,
Our fate is now to pass eternity.
But no, I do not regret it in the least,
And if I could, I would help once more
Without remorse, without sorrow,
And let the reward for the deed
Be only a prison term.
There is no pity or shame in my heart, I am even glad;
Only one thing gnaws at me—my squadron of griffins.
But I know my dear friends,
With whom travels bound us long ago,
Have surely not forgotten our loud motto,
As long as hot wine flows in their veins!
And toward deeds together
They shall rush as one!
And glory, and wealth, and fame
Await our "Griffin"—in that thought I am certain.
LF:
Heehee, now I understand
How much grace Arteria bestowed upon me,
That my spirit was returned
To the sinful earth through your lips.
Having rendered benevolent aid,
But ending up in a dungeon for it,
Few, my master,
Like you, would be capable
Of remaining true to themselves.
The jingle of keys is heard, and accompanied by pompous trumpet music performed by Anselm, Lucretia enters.
Rogdan jumps up somewhat comically and hurries to bow.
L (stops the music with a wave of her hand):
Sir Rogdan Kraffmeyer.
For someone in your position
And in the presence of the princess herself,
You have not bowed low enough.
R (bows lower):
Your Highness,
Since you have appeared,
Then surely I, a legendary hero,
Have been granted another opportunity
To help Airisufir.
L:
What was done in the past is quite enough;
You need only answer a question.
What consists of your conviction?
And why did you swear to honor the legends?
Magic, help from higher powers,
Sorcery or cunning science?
How did someone like you
Perform such a deed
That the greatest minds of the Empire
Could not have imagined?
R:
I consider it an honor to tell you this!
That teaching, I confess, was
Born in the forests of Meristia!
The ancestors of the elves known to us all
Noticed that the history of the past—
Legends, myths, or simply tales—
Possess a special power,
And if we imagine them firmly,
Then as if from the pages of books,
A hero will appear before us as if alive.
He will retain his character,
But he will bind his soul with the master.
L:
Your science may be useful
For Airisufir, awaiting the dawn.
You should describe everything in detail,
So that a dilettante can understand.
I shall organize a great summoning of heroes
And, possessing such great power,
We shall challenge Reginleiv.
Their hateful valkyries shall henceforth
No longer be our decree and authority.
Only one thing grieves me: that my sister
By her own stupidity
Intended to stubbornly stick to THEIR side.
Brahea enters the stage, nose held high. She sits on the empty chair located slightly in the background and ties herself to it by the wrist with a rope. Throughout this time, Lucretia has not looked at her once.
L:
I leave you. A faithful sister
To the Queen ought to be where
The light of the sun can be seen.
She leaves; Rogdan sees her off with a low bow. Then Rogdan rises briefly, looks timidly at Brahea, and bows again.
R:
Your Highness, what an honor!
I dread to behold you in this place!
Could it be that my naivety and mistakes
Have now brought you to these dungeons?
B (gestures for Rogdan to stop bowing, and he stands up. She waves again and he sits):
Sir Rogdan, it is no less sad
For me to see you here, you whose power
Resurrected our sister, honest Vivian
From mortal darkness.
I ask that you show no honors toward me.
We are both prisoners for the truth,
And it is proper to accept that with honor.
The blazing flame of my heart
Cannot be closed or locked away.
Arteria will save us, I believe in Her.
Her breath is present even here.
The artists sit in silence for some time. Rogdan occasionally glances at Brahea with sadness and regret. Brahea prays with closed eyes, her hands piously joined. Sometimes she looks at Rogdan with a confident but also slightly sad smile, then continues praying.
But suddenly, flashes (a spiritual shield) appear around Brahea. Rogdan notices this and rubs his eyes.
R (quietly):
Your Highness!
(Brahea is praying and does not react, so he says it louder)
Your Highness!
B (wincing slightly):
Sir Rogdan, why do you need me?
R:
I beg you, look around now!
There is no doubt that something is happening!
B (opens her eyes and looks at the flashes with surprise, thoughtfully running her hand through them):
How soon my prayers were heard!
Just as you were given great power to heal,
So another help has been sent to me.
Heresies will find it impossible to stand!
(end of scene)
*******
Act 6 (Finale)
Lucretia stands on stage. With proud posture, she gazes into the distance.
L:
How Airisufir has changed!
How beautiful Clematis has become!
The world looks upon us with bated breath,
And many wish to stop our onslaught.
A new religion we have founded
And a new science of heroes!
Our enemies did not presume
To fall as easy victims to the Air armies.
Whether nobles or paupers,
I manage them easily.
Some work with their hands,
Others give me their honor.
Reginleiv, mired in Lisliar,
Will not turn its gaze toward us soon.
Only one thing upsets me:
Azure Cliff now repels me.
And its countess, my sister Brahea—
A stubborn, proud, insufferable creature!
Why, for what reason does she wish for the Empire
That its foundation so strong should fall?
Now she even uses
The Valkyrie stigma against us...
Brahea appears, armed with a spear and (if available among equipment) some prop shield, although small and relatively elegant.
L:
Here she is.
B:
I am very sorry, but this day has come.
L:
I am sorry that the authority
Of our imperial family
You cast as a weapon against us.
B:
I do not dispute that our family is most renowned.
It rings like a bell in the mouths of the people.
I am an Air el Sufir just as you are, sister.
But I am a more faithful servant of Arteria.
I shall prove this to you!
L:
What is your Arteria to me, Brahea?
This is what I tell you:
Faith devoid of meaning is unnecessary.
Understand at last, sister.
There is no sense in Vivian's faith.
Since the beginning, we believe in that
Which we only wish to believe in ourselves.
We shall change the desires of men!
The aspirations of the soul and fanaticism—
Understand, only these give us strength!
B:
Your oratory will kill me!
I earned the power of the Valkyrie
Not to listen to delusions!
Simple justice is more important than words,
And I shall not break my sacred duty.
(Threatens pompously with the spear)
Lay down your weapon this instant!
L:
Oh, undoubtedly, a valkyrie will defeat
An ordinary fighter who is not from myths.
But do not be deceived, I shall not be alone.
With me now is Rogdan's science of summons.
I have mastered it and made it more perfect!
(Speaks clearly and loudly, raising a saber aloft)
Meristianna, I summon thee!
An imitation of thunder sounds, and shortly after—distressing trumpet sounds (performed by Anselm).
Lucretia, with a satisfied smirk, takes a combat stance, which perhaps feels somewhat elven. Taking a deep breath, Brahea runs forward and attacks first.
A well-rehearsed, emphatically theatrical, yet no less fierce exchange of blows occurs. Both opponents hold their ground confidently. Spear and saber regularly clash in the air, making a metallic sound. Sound effects behind the scenes emphasize the importance of the moment.
Gradually, Lucretia pushes Brahea to the edge of the stage. The latter breathes heavier and heavier and, with her last strength, throws her spear at Lucretia-Meristianna. It misses its target, flying noticeably to the side, which Lucretia uses to leisurely deliver the final blow to the chest (actually—the armpit) of her sister.
B (on one knee):
O, Arteria, receive my rebellious spirit,
I ask only one thing: do not leave our native country
And its people! And if in anything I ever erred,
I hope that with my blood I have washed away my guilt!
(Dies)
L:
Sister, be at peace; your sacrifice
Will surely be for the benefit of the Empire.
(Turns to the hall, at this moment the lights dim)
The benefit of the Empire is my benefit,
Therefore, Airisufir shall prosper!
In legends, she shall surely be sung of—
Lucretia.
Air.
El.
Sufir!
(curtain)
Граф Орлов
Ment
