Short Play: Long Live the King

 

SCENE 1

AT RISE: Two young boys fight with wooden swords SL while DEMETRI and RADIGAN stand SR in debate.

 

RADIGAN

 

Our Kingdom has never faced a dilemma such as this.

 

DEMETRI

 

And what dilemma might that be?

 

RADIGAN

 

You know very well what I mean King DEMETRI. Not one, but two potential heirs to the thrown have been born unto you. One must be prepared to carry your kingdom further if need be. You cannot raise both to be king or else the kingdom will divide and fall.

 

DEMETRI

 

I am far from death my friend. Let us allow the boys to not be troubled by such fears.

 

RADIGAN

 

Your Excellency I apologize for my blunt disposition but the future of this kingdom relies on strong leadership. We must prepare for the unexpected.

 

DEMETRI

 

And prepare we will. If we must name an immediate heir the obvious choose is Darius, the eldest twin.

 

 

DEMETRI nervously scratches his neck and hesitates for a moment to answer.

 

 

RADIGAN

 

Yes... Darius… I suppose he possesses qualities necessary of a king.

 

DEMETRI

 

You are wary of Darius I see. What makes you favor Felix?

 

At that moment FELIX swings his sword with deft strength causing DARIUS to buckle under the blow and fall to the ground.

 

FELIX

 

Victorious again! Darius, are you even trying anymore? A tree in the wind has faster reflexes than you. Come on brother, put up a fight.

 

DARIUS rises up and prepares himself for another volley of swings from his younger brother.

 

RADIGAN

 

I suppose you can admire the boy’s unwillingness to surrender but I can’t imagine him being an effective leader.

 

DEMETRI

 

You speak with sense, Radigan. As their father, I have already noted each of my son’s respective strengths and weaknesses. According to the law it is Darius who should receive the crown from my head but Felix has proven the greater man of action.

 

 

 

RADIGAN

 

Is not the law crafted by your word, my King? Simply declare Felix your immediate heir and be done with it. The Alabaster forces across the Straits of Tridian grow only stronger year after year. We cannot afford to lose your Excellency and reinstate a leader no one will rally behind.

 

KING DEMETRI crosses his arms and watches his boys intently as they continue to fight SL.

 

DEMETRI

 

Demetri, your words have only ever been an aid to me. Tomorrow we shall announce to the city of Obsidia that Felix will be their future king.

 

 

RADIGAN

 

A most excellent decision my king.

 

DEMETRI

 

Now let us retire. We must get the word out in order to bring the city together for this momentous occasion.

 

Lights dim as King DEMETRI and RADIGAN exit stage.

 

 

SCENE 2

 

 

Lights rise. DEMETRI can be seen in a large and lavish bed center stage propped upright by pillows.DEMETRI begins to cough haggardly. Darius enters SR and sheepishly approaches the bed.

DEMETRI

 

My dear boy, Darius.

 

DARIUS

 

I’m here father.

 

DEMETRI

 

I called you to my side in order to make peace with you, my eldest son.

 

DARIUS

 

Make peace? What do you mean father?

 

DEMETRI

 

I should have never placed your brother above you. It was you who should have been raised to be the next king.

 

Another fit of coughs from DEMETRI

 

Darius, you hold the wisdom of a king. Though you may not be strongest with a sword, you supplement such deficit with your intelligent strategy and calm state of mind. Such strengths would enable you to win many battles or avoid war entirely. Strength of arms alone does not make a king.

 

DARIUS

 

But Felix is shaping up to be a great King.

 

DEMETRI

 

Felix is becoming a fine warrior but he is controlled by his emotions, not reason. His fiery childhood drive I mistook for the makings of a strong future king but I was misguided.

 

A pause

 

I brought you here to request that you look after your brother and become his senior counselor. Ensure that he is safe and leads the kingdom justly. Can you promise me this, Darius?

 

DARIUS

 

Yes, father.

 

 

DEMETRI

 

I beg of you to not tell your younger brother what I have told you here today lest the two of you should become enemies. Together you two shall lead Obsidia to greater prosperity.

 

DARIUS

 

Your secret lies safe with me, father.

 

Lights dim

 

 

SCENE 3

 

Lights rise: A round table sits center stage. FELIX sits at the head of the table in an elaborate chair. To his right sits his brother

 DARIUS.

 

 

FELIX

 

Darius, I need your immediate counsel. It appears that yields from the harvest are far lower than anticipated. There are rumors of a food shortage. We must address the problem before the people become too restless. What must be done?

 

 

 

FELIX stands up and begins to madly pace back and forth behind his elegant chair.

 

DARIUS

 

Calm yourself, Felix. You must not lose all reason.

 

FELIX

 

Why must you always be so calm brother? Your apathetic response only increases my anxiety.

 

DARIUS

 

I do not mean to agitate you but I am calm because there is a simple solution. We already have a solution available to us.

 

FELIX

 

How do you mean?

 

 

DARIUS

 

Do you not recall the decree I crafted years ago which required the creation of royal storehouses?

 

FELIX

 

Darius, you know I don’t read the decrees you draft. I merely sign them into law.

 

DARIUS

 

Well brother, these storehouses were ordered to be filled by a tenth of each districts harvest. All we need do now is ration the surplus to the districts in most need. The people have nothing to fear.

 

 

 

FELIX

 

You are a sage!

 

FELIX walks up behind seated DARIUS, grabs him by the shoulders and gives him a triumphant shake.

 

Where would this Kingdom be without your wisdom?

 

DARIUS

 

I am sure the kingdom would fair just fine.

 

FELIX

 

Tomorrow I will address the people and inform them of my ingenious solution.

 

Coughs can be heard coming from DARIUS

 

Of course, of course. Our ingenious plan. Apologies, brother. I always seem to get a little ahead of myself.

 

DARIUS

 

And so it seems.

 

Lights fade.

 

 

SCENE 4

 

Lights rise to reveal a dingy pub. Seated alone SR sits a disheveled DARIUS with a few empty bottles littering the table and another bottle in his right hand. The pub owner stands behind the counter.

 

PUB OWNER

 

Like I said earlier, it is a pleasure to have you back in my pub, Darius, but you only seem to come here when you are troubled. What seems to be the matter?

 

With some hesitation DARIUS responds to the owner.

 

DARIUS

 

My brother, King Felix.

 

PUB OWNER

 

King Felix! That man is such a wise and honorable leader. If it wasn’t for his foresight, my family surely would have perished this last harvest from starvation. We are forever indebted to that man. Whatever trouble could the King be causing you?

 

There is a brief silence. Suddenly DARIUS pushes a couple bottles off the table crashing to the floor. He then shakily raises himself up and stumbles to the door to leave.

 

DARIUS

 

Long live Felix the great King!

 

DARIUS smashes the half filled bottle in his hand into the door jam then exits. Lights Dim

 

 

 

SCENE 5

 

 

 

 

Lights raise to reveal FELIX’ bed chamber. FELIX is preparing to sleep. Urgent knocks begin to fall in volleys on the wooden chamber door. FELIX rushes over to the door and opens it. DARIUS half falls, half stumbles into the room to be caught by FELIX.

 

FELIX

 

Darius! Whatever is the matter?

 

FELIX lets go of DARIUS and backs away.

 

You are drunk again. How many times must I tell you to not come here when you are in such a state? I need to be well rested for tomorrow. We begin our march on our campaign against the kingdom of Alabaster at dawn.

 

DARIUS

 

You most certainly will not.

 

FELIX

 

Compose yourself Darius. You are making no sense.

 

DARIUS

 

This kingdom does not belong to you. I’m the eldest. I should be the king.

 

FELIX

 

Father appointed me nonetheless. If you ask anyone in the kingdom you would be hard pressed to find someone who would say father made an ill choice.

 

DARIUS

 

You are nothing more than a puppet. It is I who really runs this kingdom.

FELIX

 

How dare you make such an accusation. Without me and my prowess in war, you would lose the kingdom to the Alabaster forces within months.

 

DARIUS

 

We shall see about that.

 

FELIX

 

What do you mean?

 

DARIUS

 

I’ve created false records which reveal an alliance between you and the Alabastor king which promised half of Obsidian land in return for lavish wealth. I forged your signature and have already alerted the council. Soon you shall be under arrest.

 

FELIX

 

That’s treason!

 

DARIUS

 

This is merely politics my brother.

 

Clanks of metal can be heard approaching from off stage.

 

I think I can hear the guards now.

 

In marches a few arm guards who take hold of FELIX

 

Arrest this man immediately. He doesn't deserve to hold the crown any longer.

 

FELIX

 

You disgust me Darius. When you desire my help in the futureeee, don’t you expect me to extend my hand.

 

DARIUS

 

Guards, please remove this scum immediately.

 

The guards exit leaving DARIUS alone. DARIUS moves towards the crown set on a table near the bed. DARIUS puts the crown on his head. Lights dim.