TYRON

Parados [enter chorus and Choragos as rebels, some chorus as guards]

Choragos:

Hear now the story of Tyron of Aechus,

Of the folly that bred folly,

Of the arrow that missed

The flew awry to cripple the archer.

Chorus:

Aechus, once proud and strong,

Who sent men to Thermopylae,

Once flourished in the reign

Of our benevolent king Saiccon.

Choragos:

Aechean skies, once light and heartening,

Now are dark and heavy with sorrow.

Saiccon, dead at the hands of an Agradan,

Is replaced by Pallideces of Agrados.

Chorus:

Foul Pallideces, blight upon all Aechus,

Took Aechus from the fame of Sparta

To the bleak anonymity of Marathon.

And all for the flaws of a single king.

Choragos:

But the people grow weary of seeing their state

Wane at the reigns of an incompetent statesman.

Together they collect now in the dark places,

Unified in discontent, sitting on a knife-edge,

Ready to shift one way or another.

Here all must play their parts,

Or let their city fall from greatness to rubble.

Watch, now - Tyron will be not the least of them.

Scene 1

[In a Malakai's great house Petros and Malakai stand opposite one another. Two messengers stand with them as the chorus looks on]

Malakai:

Have we all arrived? We'll begin, then.

We are all Aecheans save young Petros here, and he is an envoy of our strongest allies Lansca.

Petros:

My thanks, Malakai.

Malakai:

Even the youngest of you must remember our old king Saiccon, who led us to fame rivaling Corinth, Thebes, and even Athens itself. Saiccon, who led our fathers, our brothers, and our sons to fight at Thermopylae for the Delian League, you remember that man? He was a great man.

Petros:

King Saiccon was held in high esteem even in Lansca, it is true, but he is still a dead man.

Pallideces is your sovereign now.

Malakai:

[dourly]

We know… the Sphinx was a mere vermin in comparison. I have called you here for a reason, my fellow countrymen. Judecius of Agrados, our friend and sympathizer, has sent me word that he is ready. For four long years we've waited, had our ranks be culled by that dog of a prince Oridan as his men. Judecius feels that the king finally trusts him as an advisor. If he can now sit unwatched at the king's side, then why wait any longer?

Messenger 1:

What would you have him do?

Petros:

Kill Pallideces, of course. Oridan's bodyguards are Agradan; they will not betray him. The rest of Aechus, though, will gladly cast him out. Then the only Agradan left would be Judecius, and he is ours.

Malakai:

Exactly. Pallideces is a despot, but his hold is shaky. Even the most corrupt Aechean would gladly trade him for one of our own. Without him, this foolish Agradan rule would finally fall. Can any of you give me a reason why we shouldn't take this route? No?

Petros:

The king is holding an audience with his advisors this evening. We should have him act now.

Malakai:

Agreed. [to Messenger 1] Go. If you run you can catch the ferry. Tell Judecius that the time has come Pallideces to meet his end.

Messenger 1:

Of course, Malakai. I will tell him.

[Exit Messenger 1]

Petros:

Well, then that is that. I will hardly mourn the king when he is gone. He terrorizes both our peoples and endangers our alliance. It has been a long time since an Aechean king placed trade embargoes on our Lanscan harbors.

Malakai:

It is because he would have us ally instead with Agrados.

Petros:

You sound bitter.

Messenger 2:

He is; we all are. No true Aechean would ever wish to see an alliance with Agrados. They have burned our houses and butchered our children one too many times for that.

Petros:

I see.

Malakai:

So you say, but in truth you do not. Our hatred of them transcends what is rational and reasonable in men. That an Agradan leads us is intolerable; that he is also an incompetent only makes it that much more so. Hear me: when the news of his death reaches the people there will be effigy burning and dancing in the streets. The criminals, the women, even the slaves will rejoice. There will never be truce between Aechus and Agrados - we'd rather see all the Grecian states fall than aid the Agradan people. They are not Greek in our eyes. Even the lowest Aechean servant knows this.

Petros:

Even the lowest Aechean… Tyron, does he know of this? That is, of Judecius and his plot?

Malakai:

No, I did not tell him. He is a servant in Pallideces's court; I feared that he might let loose our plot. But by now the ferry has left for central Aechus - we couldn't possibly send him word in time. Do not worry too much, though. He's very cunning for a servant.

Petros:

I know he is, but would you risk four years of preparation on him? Or anyone? I'll tell him myself - I could arrive at the palace in time if I run.

[Exit Petros]

Malakai:

He worries for nothing. Petros is too fiery, too insubordinate too be of much use to us sometimes. I marvel that he was sent to us as any sort of diplomat at all.

Messenger 2:

Tyron is the same - perhaps that is why they are such close friends.

Malakai:

Perhaps. It doesn't really matter, does it? Now I am becoming jaded too… four years is too long to sit and wallow in one's own failings, don't you think?

Messenger 2:

Surely you don't -

[knocking at their door]

Malakai:

And who is it now? It would be in keeping with Tyron's style for him to arrive now that all the matters of any importance have been decided.

[Malakai approaches the door; it bursts open before he reaches it]

[Enter Oridan and his guards]

Oridan:

What have we here? A band of conspirators, perhaps?

Malakai:

Prince Oridan, captain of the guards. Your exalted presence is, as always, a blight upon my doorstep. What trifle have you come to plague me with this time, Agradan?

Oridan:

Such acids words, and from a sinner no less. From the worst sort of sinner: a rebel.

Malakai:

I prefer 'freedom fighter', and my means are certainly no less virtuous than yours are.

Oridan:

Virtue! Virtue! What do you know of virtue? You are the embodiment of all sin itself. You and your collaborators hide behind 'patriotism' to justify theft and murder. Patriots, freedom fighters, hah! Anarchists is more appropriate. Anarchists, war-lovers, traitors to all but yourselves, selfish and totally devoid of all integrity - that's you, Malakai.

Malakai:

I'm no traitor.

Oridan:

You dared betray your own king!

Malakai:

Your fool father is not my king!

Oridan:

So wish your final words to be blasphemy too? You disgust me. Fortunately I did not come alone. Guards, seize these men!

[Chorus splits into the rebels and guards, situated on either side of the orchestra]

Malakai:

Think you'll ever take us alive? You'll never stop us, much less our ideals!

[They fight; all but Oridan, his guards, and Messenger 2 are slain]

Messenger 2 [backing away from the guards and whispering to himself]:

Gods… how did this happen? I must warn my fellow countryman, Tyron. We are exposed!

[Exit Messenger 2; the guards try to give chase]

Oridan:

No, halt your pursuit. He is one man. What could he do? More important that we reach the palace in time for evening meal… foolish rebels. It is too late for the like of you. Come, we retire.

[Exit Oridan]

Ode I

Choragos:

Light gives way to dark

As day gives way to night.

Perhaps we were too quick

To send our love into battle.

For now shadows hang

Not only for its loss

But also for its lack

Chorus:

Four years past and the ground is again

Drenched in a sea of Aechean blood,

Again drenched by savage hands,

Again sounding the call to arms.

Only now there is no one to answer it.

Choragos:

The black prince has slain the gambler,

But the sticks and dice are already cast.

Of a city in clandestine struggle three remain

Left a master's plan and a city's silent hope.

Chorus:

Wrath has wrought wrath

Since the beginnings of time,

And oppression resentment.

They are simple reactions,

As sparks to flame and water to ice,

Yet men embroiled in such are blind to them,

And blame their fates on the whims of the gods.

Men's blindness is in all ways self-inflicted.

Scene 2

[In the throne room of King Pallideces. The chorus is assembled as a council of advisors, Pallideces sits on his throne, and both Judecius and Choragos stand before him. Tyron is in the shadows - all of his lines are murmurs to himself not heard by the rest of the actors]

Judecius:

My king, trust me when I say that the people hate you. I have been lurking in the townships lately - they are more loose-tongued there. You must control them now, before they began a real revolution.

Pallideces:

Your words are cold, but I admit that your intentions are still genuine. What would my cabinet advise me to do?

Choragos:

Their animosity stems from your lineage, liege. Agrados is their mortal enemy. If you were to shun them, to turn away from them…

Pallideces:

You think that I should cater to Aechus by betraying my motherland? I may be the leader of the Aechean people, but I am nonetheless a patriot of both states. I seek to unite Agrados with Aechus, not to further drive them apart.

Tyron:

But we don't want to be united with barbarians…

Judecius:

I concur, sir. Fortunately, we simply need rule by fear. Where love fails fear will keep the people in line. Aechus is a militaristic city-state, perhaps not so much farther behind Sparta; they will except your rule.

Choragos:

You think so? I believe that would enrage the populace. The Aechean spirit is strong.

[Enter Messenger 1; he comes up to Judecius and whispers into his ear]

Judecius:

I see. Thank you: you may go.

[Exit Messenger 1]

Judecius:

It will bend to our blades soon enough.

Tyron:

That's a lie. Aechus will never give in.

Choragos:

You do not speak as an Aechean, sir, nor as a man particularly familiar with our people. I caution you against assuming.

Judecius:

I assume nothing. I may be an Agradan, but I know that men are men. They will give in before they let their families die, and we need not forsake Agrados to control the populace in this manner.

Tyron:

An Agradan… If there was before a need to explain his savage mindset, the need is gone. This man could've been a pupil of Draco himself.

Pallideces:

Enough, enough. Advisors, give leave of me. No, not you, Judecius. Stay: I think I need an Agradan's viewpoint for this. The rest of you, out.

[Chorus and Choragos move to the corners, as if off-stage]

Pallideces:

Your answer was, of course, the right one. Greed overcomes the love of evil men, and all men are essentially evil - Aecheans especially. We'll bring these people in line the proper way.

Tyron:

The king is a fool if he thinks we're that weak.

Judecius [moving closer, unsheathing a knife behind his back]:

Yes. The people have rebelled before. We should give them good reason not to make insurrections against us again.

Tyron:

Judecius, an Agradan, would assassinate a fellow countryman? This can't be anything good.

[Tyron moves out of the shadows to step in between Judecius and Pallideces.

Tyron:

Excuse me, advisor Judecius; I'm sure you are discussing important matters. The king is long overdue for his evening meal. [Surreptitiously disarms Judecius, pocketing the knife before the king sees it. I'm sure you wouldn't want to keep him any longer.

Pallideces:

Tyron! How long have you been here and how dare you interrupt my advisor? Judecius, you need not let him drive you away.

Tyron:

Honored advisor, I really must insist. You can meet with him tomorrow. [Pushes Judecius out of the throne room, ignoring his protests, until they are outside of the throne room and the door to it is closed]

Judecius:

You fool, you don't know -

Tyron:

Silence, Agradan! I'll hear nothing from you. Pallideces is enough: we've no more need your country's despots. Attempt to wrest power once more and you'll find yourself meeting a bad end.

Judecius:

Sir Tyron -

Tyron:

I said I won't hear you out! Leave now or you'll regret your arrogance.

Judecius:

Fine, but you know not what you do.

[Exit Judecius]

Tyron:

That was dangerous. As much as I hate our king, he is our king, and more disorder might cast my state to its knees… not while I can stop it! Wait, who's this who comes to me so raggedly?

[Enter Messenger 2]

Messenger 2:

[out of breath and delirious]

Tyron! Tyron! He came - they came! Tyron, they came and slew us all. Only I ran, but they were chasing me. Tyron, Malakai knew of it, he knew but he fought anyway. The gods knew, Malakai knew… they let them come… and they slew us all!

Tyron:

Wait, wait. Be calm, my friend. Take slow breaths. Think; try to organize your thoughts coherently. What happened?

Messenger 2:

We were planning at a meeting when Malakai admitted knowledge and responsibility. Advisor Judecius, the Agradan -

Tyron:

Yes, I know of him. What happened?

Messenger 2:

Well, we sent a man for Judecius, then Petros left to warn you of him. A moment later Oridan appeared. He and Malakai exchanged words, then Oridan called his Agradan hounds on us and the killing started… All the rebels are dead.

Tyron:

What? Petros left as Oridan arrived? He must surely be dead… You must hide! Run my friend. Take the roads to Lansca, and from her harbors as far as you can. Go now. If Oridan has seen you then you have real troubles.

Messenger 2:

Yes, I will. Exile… don't let the struggle die, Tyron.

Tyron:

Never.

[Exit Messenger 2; Enter Petros]

Petros:

Who was that? He looks familiar.

Tyron:

[in shock]

You… you're alive?

Petros:

Yes, of course. Tyron, I -

Tyron:

[furiously]

So Lansca is involved as well? I thought of you better than that.

Petros:

What?

Tyron:

Don't be the fool with me! You and Oridan passing each other by: some coincidence that was.

Petros:

Oridan? Tyron, you are acting like a madman! I only came to warn you of Judecius. He is -

Tyron:

Not half the traitor that you are! Of state and friend!

Petros:

I've done nothing to warrant such abuse.

Tyron:

Get away from me, Petros. I detest traitors, but liars and cowards I condemn.

Petros:

Tyron!

Tyron:

I will not listen to your misdirection any longer. Leave me or fight me here, but do not plague me with your ill-intended words any longer.

Petros:

Then leave I will, because you have obviously parted ways with your senses.

[Exit Petros]

Tyron:

Damnable, double-crossing Lanscan.

[Exit Tyron]

Ode II

Choragos:

Cast adrift in a nameless sea,

Far from shore and with no stars to guide by,

A trireme is little protection,

And oft is prone to being swallowed up

In inky blackness.

Chorus:

Many ships have befallen Poseidon's ire.

Jason and Odysseus both know of his mood.

Rarely do the earth-bound raise wrathful spirits in him,

But any compass can be sent awry,

As can any cloud mask the sky.

No man sets out to anger him

Choragos:

Revelers come to dance, to befuddle the lost,

To drive them from the trails and leave them,

Crossed in the woods, where they need not be.

To let Greeks mix with bears and wolves.

Beware the trappings of men, the anger of the gods,

But most of all the words of men,

For none of these are true to men's hearts.

Scene 3

[In a palace room with a balcony: Judecius and Petros stand on the balcony, overlooking Aechus]

Petros:

Thank you for agreeing to lend me some of you time, advisor. I've no subtle way to explain this: we both know a certain man - Malakai? I came from a meeting with him earlier today. Did the messenger reach you? Do you have news of the king?

Judecius:

I have news of the king, but it is not well disposed.

Petros:

This does not seem to be the day for good dispositions.

Judecius:

No, it does not. Listen, Petros: the king is not dead. I received Malakai's message and tried to remove Pallideces. We were alone and he suspected nothing, but when I moved close to kill him Tyron came from the shadows and stopped me. I could not shove him aside without betraying myself.

Petros:

Tyron came to you too? I could not reason with him either; he called me a traitor and a coward, but I don't know why.

Judecius:

It was if he did not know that I was working with Malakai and yourself.

Petros:

He did not. I was too late to warn him.

[Enter Tyron. The other two do notice as he hides silently in the room]

Tyron:

[whispering]

Let's see what these two foreigners are conspiring about. Petros, I thought you were my friend and ally, but you're just a common traitor, and Judecius is simply an ambitious fool.

Judecius:

No, it was I who failed. We could have retaken the throne by now if only Tyron had not begun meddling with my attempt.

Tyron:

No outsider has any right to rule Aechus, and him least of all.

Petros:

He has seemed to have caused all of our problems for the moment.

Judecius:

Such is what happens when servants play with matters of state.

Tyron:

Such gall! Agradan fool… but I'll have my revenge soon enough.

Petros:

Give him what is due him - he has been an excellent ear in the King's court. Oridan himself would have scarcely been a better choice.

Tyron:

Oridan…

Judecius:

The prince? He would be too slow-witted to be of much use

Tyron:

Oridan…

Petros:

[cautiously]

Oridan is dangerous. Be wary in your dealings with him.

Tyron:

[still quiet, but now seething]

Oridan? The man he used to crush Malakai and my Aechean brethren? If Oridan learns that these two back-stabbers have betrayed his father, he'd visit the revenge they so sweetly deserve upon them. Then that's what I must do to right my error in judgement, my misplacement of trust. Petros, I'll give you an Aechean's farewell to traitors… But the king and the prince must be told now.

[Exit Tyron]

Judecius:

Did you hear that, a moment ago? A soft whisper?

Petros:

Just the winds. They change, you know: perhaps that's what you heard.

Judecius:

Perhaps. I failed once, but the king trusts me. I'm not sure how to act. Where should we move next?

Petros:

Back to Malakai, of course. [pauses] Feel the wind, Judecius: it's freezing out here. The gods are not smiling on us today.

Judecius:

Not smiling? They are openly taunting us.

[Exit Judecius and Petros]

Ode III

Chorus:

Fire feeds fire, breeds fire from fire;

There is no fire as strong as Greek fire.

Quick to ignite, slow to relent,

It leaves in its path only embers and ash.

Choragos:

When Zeus' fingers dance across the earth

The Dyrads cannot help but be sometimes consumed.

When alone in the dark it brings comfort and warmth,

But in the company of others only ruin and sunder,

For too many add too much fuel,

Forgetting the actions of their fellows.

Chorus:

Olive oil has turned a fire into an inferno,

Nurtured from an ember to Hades' blaze.

The smoke grows too thick to see,

And the air grows light around the flame.

What can quench a fire who turns water to mist?

Some must simply run their course.

Choragos:

Watch carefully how men act in fire:

The fool revels in the heat,

While the wise man hopes to distinguish himself

From the embers…

Scene 4

[Outside the palace Petros and Judecius walk along the gardens]

Judecius:

If only either of us could've reached him, we wouldn't be out here.

Petros:

He's a patriot. Perhaps a bit over-zealous, but nonetheless a patriot. More qualified in that regard to be a statesman than the king, most certainly.

Judecius:

Be careful. The hedges have ears, Petros - Pallideces has enough spies in his employ here.

Petros:

Yes, but I'm an envoy of Lansca. Diplomatic immunity, senator. If they killed me the news of Aechus' betrayal would reach Athens sooner than Pheidippides managed from Marathon.

Judecius:

You're naïve if you truly think that. Diplomats may have immunity from the whims of despots, but rebel-rousers, inciters of revolution, and enemy agents are hardly afforded the same. Better to go home meekly to Malakai and seek redirection than to blunder about the palace looking for spies and being killed.

Petros:

Agreed, I suppose. Malakai is the quintessential Aechean - Tyron will have to listen to him.

[jokingly]

Perhaps if I became a citizen he'd pay me more mind?

[Enter Tyron, Oridan, Choragos, and guards]

Oridan:

And what have we here? Honored guests from Lansca and Agrados?

Petros:

Indeed, sir Oridan. We were retiring to our homes even as you just now arrived. It is a beautiful night for a walk through the palace gardens, is it not?

Tyron:

Prince, these are the ones of whom I spoke!

Oridan:

I know. [to Petros and Judecius] A good night for a walk, yes. One can never be sure what type of villanny will come out on a night like this; it is a good kind of night to patrol. We see all sorts of evil men prowling amongst the shadows on nights as these. Thieves, murderers, highwaymen, terrorists, traitors… rebels. Have you seen such?

Petros:

No. No, thankfully I have not.

Oridan:

Ah, well, you see, that is odd, for I see such standing directly before me. Guards!

[the guards advance, Judecius runs while Petros allows himself to be restrained; Judecius is quickly chased down and stabbed/mortally wounded]

Judecius:

Oridan… Your father has no place on the throne! He is not fit to be king - your family is not fit for royalty or nobility of any sort! The Aecheans, the Agradans, the Lanscans - everyone sees it! Damn you, Oridan for stopping me from doing what must be done, and… twice damn you, Tyron… for… Ugh… [Judecius collapses]

Petros:

Tyron, you fool! I cannot believe that you are truly this dense. Don't you understand that Judecius -

Tyron:

Was a traitor, and a consort with you, a twice traitor? Yes, that has become quite clear. Oridan, I beg you keep this man from my sight and hearing. He has proved to be the most indecent man I've ever met.

Oridan:

Oh, rest assured that you will be rid of your one-time associate here soon enough. Guards?

Choragos:

Perhaps you act in haste, my prince. At least Judecius was an Agradan - the people will care nothing for his death. Petros, through, is a Lanscan, and a diplomat at that. You can't shed your mother nation any more than you can renounce the blood in your veins. Kill him and the people will see an Agradan trying to weaken their ties with old friends. There will be rioting in the streets! We would be at war with Lansca and indeed the whole Delian League.

Oridan:

I assume, then, that you have a suggestion?

Choragos:

Intern him. Show him to the city, explain why he is to die, inform Lansca of the same - the people will go may go mad at the slaying of an innocent envoy, but no one will blame you for executing a murderer.

Oridan:

Lock him away, then. [to Petros] Resist, however, and I will kill you, riots or not. Guards: come. If he speaks or gives us trouble, kill him. Tyron, I thank you for your service to our great nation-state and leave you to your own devices.

[Exit Petros, Judecius, guards, and Oridan]

Tyron:

I still cannot believe that Petros betrayed me. Doublecrossing foreigner; I was a fool to have ever befriended him.

Choragos:

And yet he was once your friend.

Tyron:

One who caused the downfall of the revolution, the slaughter of my kin, and the total ruination of our state's future?

Choragos:

…and yet he was once your friend.

Tyron:

I'd rather kill him than speak to him again.

Choragos:

Yet he was once your friend. I grow tired of reminding you of this. Is it not your duty to pay him your last respects? Even if you do not wield the axe, you will still have been his murderer.

Tyron:

My duty? I owe him nothing.

Choragos:

You do, but I can see that you will not be swayed in this regard. Consider this, then: what harm can he do you now? He might be able to give you some answers as to motives, to tell you things you did not know. You may even help Aechus further than you have. Even if you do not, though, what's the risk? He has no more power over you. Are you afraid of him even still?

Tyron:

Afraid? No, never. Of course I'll see him before the night is out. For Aechus' sake.

Choragos:

For Aechus, of course.

Tyron:

Of course.

[Exit Tyron]

Choragos:

Perhaps I should've left Petros to die and Tyron to live secure in his patriotism, but men should know the consequences of their actions.

[Exit Choragos]

Choral

Chorus:

One world cast in darkness,

One god to lead the way,

One flame to banish shadows,

One wave to purify the unclean.

Choragos:

God of sorrows,

God of joys,

Rejoice in our offering,

And return it to us in kind.

Chorus:

One path to take,

One god to lead,

One thirst to slake,

One voice to heed.

One word, one deed,

One voice to heed.

Choragos:

We offer two men,

Whose ends lie in flame.

A crowd cast down like stones,

And a state delivered in shackles.

For but one day,

There is but one god.

Rejoice in our offering,

And return it to us in kind.

Chorus:

One life to live,

One story to tell,

One state to serve,

One sea to sail,

One god for a day to whom we bow,

One path to follow,

One ship to take, with one weathered prow,

One fortune to keep,

One word to heed,

One god for a day, and for a day,

One path.

Scene 5

[Petros languishes in a dark, small cell. There is a staircase into his section of the dungeons opposite him; from here Tyron enters]

Petros:

And who is it that's come to grace my new hall? Ah, Tyron. Come, sit outside my cell walls. Poor fool

Tyron:

Accost me as much as you wish. I am much more agreeable to such abuse when I see the state of the offending speaker. Odd, I'd always counted Lansca among Aechus' allies. I suppose the moral ingrained here is that no foreigner is really trustworthy.

Petros:

You see traps and death and hate where there is only friendship, and the state clouds your judgment.

[Heavily]

It was never about Lansca or Agrados, fool. We were all for Aechus.

Tyron:

Nonsense! After you left Malakai's estate he was killed along with every other in the rebellion, and then your consort Judecius tried to kill the king. I heard this all from the last surviving rebel.

Petros:

So Malakai and the rest of the rebels are slain… Ah, Tyron, you have beheaded the wrong beast! This is worse news than I expected.

Tyron:

My aim was unerring, I think. Your petty plot to kill the king failed, and at my servant's hands no less.

[Petros laughs tiredly]

Petros:

Oh, fool. Petty plot you say? Tell me, what was the rebel plot?

Tyron:

[Slowly]

…To kill the king.

Petros:

So you weren't simply uninformed; you really are a fool. Tell me, Tyron, do you see a certain… similarity between our goals?

Tyron:

Lies.

Petros:

Oh, you can only dream that I lie. What if I told you that the man Malakai had chosen to remove Pallideces was Judecius?

Tyron:

No, that's not possible…

Petros:

And what if I told you that I was the one sent to warn you?

Tyron:

No, -

Petros:

Think, poor fool! How many times did Judecius or I try to warn you? How many times did you stop us, interrupt us? Can you remember the number?

Tyron:

Stop, Petros. I don't -

Petros:

You still don't see it? I'll explain everything, with small words: we had the axe at the king's throat. Then your newest friend Oridan cut off the head and the body of the resistance when he killed Malakai and the rebel crowd. That would've been acceptable, if discouraging - our grand plot had already begun - but then you stopped us, ignored our pleas, and called your ruthless prince to finish his hunt for the rebellion.

Tyron:

[Gasping for breath, as though drowning]

No, you can't - it's not possible… I saw Judecius with my own eyes!

Petros:

Saw him and tagged him an anarchist simply because he was an Agradan, and then the same for me simply because I tried to warn you. Abandoned years of my friendship for the comfortable lines of patriotism, and what did it bring you? You toppled the rebellion, Tyron! You yourself killed the resistance, you! I'd hate you, loathe you, but the irony is too sweet. Aechus is now held quite securely in the bonds of Agradan barbarians, and they have you dutiful service to your state alone to thank for it.

Tyron:

No… No, No… What have I done?

[Enter Pallideces and Oridan]

Pallideces:

Ah, Tyron, faithful servant of mine, indeed of all Aechus. My son told me that I might find you here. I came to thank you. Because of you order has been maintained, insurgents have been removed, and the plots of our neighbors have been exposed. Aechus is in your debt, and I am compelled to reward you for your actions.

[Pallideces produces a scroll]

Pallideces:

With this comes your freedom, an estate, a title, and all the other trappings of nobility. I expect that you will not find them a burden. Oh, and you will you have a seat at my left hand tomorrow: this traitor's execution. It is only fitting that you should be present at the formal end of this paltry insurrection. Until then, Tyron.

[Exit Pallideces and Oridan]

Petros:

It appears as though death itself will not sit at your side and give you solace. There's no respite for the damned, Tyron, and you rank chiefly among them.

Tyron:

It was a mistake: all a simply mistake. I did not mean to… Oh, self, you fool! Once deaf to wiser words and now all the world is deaf to my suffering!

End