Summary: A noble family spends another day in a country at war, and though you scarcely remember your kingdom in peace, war hasn’t touched your family’s lands yet. However, you hear rumors that an enemy army has been spotted near the edges of your territory, hopefully the rumors are just that, rumors.
Roles:
-Major:
- The Older Sibling |O|: The speaker, first in line to inherit the county and also the listener’s sibling.
-Scene: Outside of the city, in a nearby forest
[The sound of boots snapping twigs, foliage being moved, and birds chirping are heard]
|O|: The forest is always so beautiful this time of year, don’t you think little sib? There’s a spot I want to show you. I used to go there when I was your age, I think you’ll really like it. Come on, it’s not too dreadfully far from here. Take my hand, the terrain is rather difficult to walk over.
[Once again, various birds can be heard chirping all around while two sets of boots snapping twigs, and moving foliage can be heard.]
|O|: (strained) Almost there, just a little more…and
[one last thick branch is moved]
|O|: Here we are! How do you like it! (A bit of an upbeat tone) Huh, I thought this place was farther than when I was a kid. Guess my steps just got bigger eh? (Pause) Oh don’t tell me you’re tired? (There’s a bit of a laugh as the sibling looks over) Well when you climb everything in sight, I hardly blame you for being so winded.
[The sound of a running stream is heard, birds chirping and little animals scurrying through the underbrush can be heard.]
|O|: (Showing a bit of concern) Although, please do take care not to tire yourself out too much, you know you have a weak constitution, and I don’t think we can take another one of your illness scares. I mean, none of us could sleep well that time you had your fever, and that was just a fever, I couldn’t imagine if it would’ve been something else. (Pause, then playfully acting offended) I worry too much? Oh! You wound me! (laughing while playing around with their little sibling) Can you blame me!? With a little sibling as cute as you, any older sibling would risk life and limb to make them feel happy and cared for! (Upbeat and still laughing) Now go play, and stay where I can see you!
[The splashing of water and the laughter of a child can be heard a bit distanced away]
|O|: (Taking a relaxing seat on the grass, against a nearby rock) I’ll just sit here and watch. (There’s a slightly raised voice) Yes I’m seeing you! Woah! That was a big splash! Be Careful climbing that rock! I got my fair share of scrapes and bruises from that one. (With a yawn) Such a beautiful day out, (with tired sharpness) no! I’ve got to keep my eyes awake. I have to make sure that the little one is safely watched. (The last bits of the sentence get softer as the sibling falls asleep.)
[The sound of the stream, the birds, and a laughing child slowly drift into silence]
|O|: (Waking suddenly and with alarm) No! What time is it?! Little one!? Where are you!? (There’s a pause, followed by the relaxation of the older sibling.) Oh? Fell asleep next to me huh? (A kiss is planted on the top of the little sibling’s head) Little rascal, I hope you’re having nice dreams. Come on now, let’s go home, people are probably worried sick about us.
[The older sibling struggles as they try to find a better way to carry the younger sibling as the two make their way home. The twigs snapping and foliage moving resumes and fades into the background, leaving only the birds chirping and the running stream as the last things to fade into silence]
-Scene: Inside the older sibling’s room, night time
[The sound of scribbling on paper is heard, along with the occasional break to dip the quill in an inkwell]
|O|: (Self-narration starts) Today was a normal day, I got worried a bit, seeing them tired like that; I was half expecting them to faint from exhaustion, thankfully they didn’t; Honestly, that makes me really happy. Happy to see them running, walking, climbing, doing things that children their age should be doing. It sets my mind at ease knowing that they’re getting better day by day, if we’re lucky and the treatments take, we might see them just being a kid! Oh what a wondrous day that would be. Still, I can’t help but be on edge. The people of the city are spreading rumors that a Triven Army has been spotted on the outskirts of our territory. If they come to besiege our city, I don’t know how the little one’s constitution would handle it; Would it be only a few days? Months? What if it was years? Maybe we can sneak them out through the secret passageways? And it’s not like I can ask our parents about them. I mean they are on campaign, so I guess that leaves me to figure out the passageway situation on my own, maybe the captain of the guard will know about the passages? If she does, hopefully she knows at least one that is open. (Self-narration stops)
[The sound of a journal book closing is heard, along with the sound of a wooden chair sliding across the wooden floor.]
|O|: (Stretching) Best not fret about that though, I’m tired and need to go to bed.
[There’s a knocking on the door, followed by the creaking of the door being opened.]
|O|: (Surprised) Oh!? Hey there little one, what’s wrong? (Caring and softly) You had a nightmare? Oh no, my poor little sib, come here, you look like you need a hug.
[There’s a pitter patter of shoes on stone as the little sibling rushes forward]
|O|: There we go! Give me a nice big hug! I’ll always be here to protect you, don’t you ever doubt that. (There’s a bit of a pause) Do you want to sleep with me tonight? (Playfully) That way, with your loyal knight by your side you will never have another fright! You do? Great!
[The pitter patter of shoes is once again heard, along with the movement of people getting on the bed.]
|O|: Let’s get you nice and comfortable, yeah?
[There’s some shifting and turning as the two find a comfortable position on the bed]
|O|: (Yawning) Okay, are you nice and comfortable? Did you bring your horse? You did? Can I see it? (With a happy tone) Heh, did you know that this old wooden horse was my favorite toy when I was your age? (Pause) Yep! That’s right, so when I heard that we were going to have a new addition to the family, I couldn’t wait to give this to you, a gift from me to you. Thank you for taking very good care of it.
[There’s a small yawn that can be heard, it is from the younger sibling]
|O|: Just rest your head against me and we’ll go to bed together, tomorrow we’ll wake up and go to the market first thing in the morning, after that, if you want, you can accompany me when we hold court…
[The audio starts to fade to silence as the younger sibling falls asleep]
-Scene: Inside the older sibling’s room, dawn
[The muffled and distant sounds of people screaming and panicking are heard, along with the muffled sounds of people in armor running around outside of the sibling’s room; In addition to this, there are the same muffled patter of shoes on stones, from the palace servants running.]
|O|: (Groggily, waking up) What’s that awful racket? It’s way too early for the citizenry to be up and active. (There’s a yawn as the curtains are slid apart, then there’s a moment of shock and panic) No! The Triven Army! How did they get into the city so fast!?
[There’s the distant clang of swords as the defenders of the city are clashing with Triven soldiers at the palace’s gates.]
|O|: (There’s a bit of desperation in the voice) They’re already in our front garden! The city is lost, we have to evacuate.
[The older sibling scrambles about the room, their shoes pattering against the stone as the sound of wardrobe drawers are opened]
|O|: (Frantic) Okay, clothes, my journal…what else am I missing? Clothes for the little one!
[Once again the running patter of shoes along the stone floor is heard, along with the wooden door being practically thrown open; The guards moving through the hallway can now be fully heard.]
|O|: Captain! You already have an escort ready! Good, I just need to collect some clothes from my sibling’s room and we can be off. There’s nothing more we can do for the city.
[The opening of another door is heard as more drawers are being opened]
|O|: One change of clothes will have to do for now.
[Shoes running on stone is heard again until the come to a stop, all the while the sound of battle seems distant]
|O|: (Frantically trying to wake their sibling) Hey little one, wake up, come on wake up!
[The stirring of someone in the bed is heard]
|O|: There’s no time to explain, we have to leave right now! Come on, take my hand and we’ll go with the captain and she’ll lead us out of here safely. Yeah! Of course you can bring your horse, we don’t have much time for anything else. (Speaking away from the little sibling and towards the captain) Captain! We’re ready!
[Several sets of boots and shoes, some metal, others not, stomp along the stone floor, the sounds of screaming and combat muffled, however still audible. Then it all slowly begins to fade to silence.]
-Scene: Outside of the city, still dawn
[The screams and clangs of battle have stopped, though now it is replaced by the serene and haunting sounds of a forest at night. Running water from a nearby stream can be faintly heard, the tweeting of birds up at dawn, the rustling of flora as creatures move about. The snapping of twigs and branches being pushed out of the way the only man made sounds.]
|O|: (winded) We made it out! We’re okay for the time being; I just wish the captain hadn’t had to sacrifice herself to buy us time. What’s done is done though. We can’t stay here for long, we have to keep moving. If those Triven Soldiers followed us through the tunnels, they’ll try to catch our trail. The enemy general will look to take us hostage, try and use us to get our parents to come back to the city and rescue us; They won’t kill us, however they might not be careful in capturing us. Best option we’ve got now is to try and…Hey, little one, are you okay? No! No! Hey, I’m here! Damnit! I should’ve carried you!
[The sound of heavy panting is heard intermingled with the older sibling’s sentences, until the last bit of the sentence begins to get muffled as it all fades to silence]
Divine Writings 
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