SCENE III. A Road

Enter MARSHAL of the field, and his aide-de-camps: FELIX and STRATIOTES

MARSHAL

Flush with victory and honor to gentle our conditions, the fair flaw of wind does lend us aide and cools our weary bodies, which we gave to battle this day and triumphed valiantly. What be it so? It was out faith, that allowed us a small but able band, to overcome the waves of faithless heathen men. Come you fellows, let us cry unto the banners and our ancestors. We give our country stead of mind, and stithy it's power with our purchase. What glorious feats of daring did our hearts prevail! We the, the few, who rode into the brush of wasting fire, and be-moiled our tunics with the enemy's blood. Let all who in their later years fondly remember this as the day of our most glorious victory, for the indigest rabble has been dispersed, and we the victors soon prevail.

FELIX

Our sword arms are weary from this toilsome affair. The count among those fated lot who in their wickedness oppressed us, is of one and twenty score of men who in their ranks, did perish by the sharpened steel. And of our own: Chan; Duke of Lu, his cousin; Chin, Wong; protector of the keep, and ten others of lesser title.

STRATIOTES

Tis' a miracle. In the edge of battle's might, I reckoned in at present state, they could have blinded us with clods of dirt, so great the number of their men-at-arms.

MARSHAL

Then I tell you, my brethren, not one us will bear witness to the ones we advance this day, that heaven was not upon or side. Our brotherhood, the order of peace, will long be remembered in the annals of legend. And we, the bravest, our names shall last from now until the ending of the world; ten-thousand years or more.

STRATIOTES

And what of the dead?

MARSHAL

Friend or foe alike, both reconciled in death. Tis' the equalizer of all men. Let us collect them both in equal measure and give them their final rights. Humility in this matter will serve us well. Send a herald to the capitol, singing hymns of praise, so that the entire country may know what has passed upon this day.

FELIX

Look! There comes a man in armour.

Enter BAO

BAO

Ho! What be the nature of this complement?

STRATITOTES

Who are you sir? I shall pay it favorably.

BAO

I am Bao son of Beeil, head of the King's vanguard. I come seeking the Marshal on his order, to give him urgent dispatch.

MARSHAL pulls off helmet

MARSHAL

I am he.

BAO

I have word from the King. You are to report with your knights to the capitol, until the affair of state has been availed.

FELIX

What be this? Is there reservation for our entreatments?

BAO

I know not. The King bears his emulation hard. His father, dawned the cloak of penance, but underneath the veil of dark sought to poison the king and instead slew his uncle. Enshielded in the garden and by his own hand, he hid therein. Oh, aye, I was but a seeing part of all this wicked wroth. With many bobs and slashes to, in the gardens, the wretch fell by his son's hand. Thus was his uncle wreaked from death's cold perception.

MARSHAL

The King expects as much?

BAO

May heaven guide his prerogatives.

MARSHAL

It is of a horrid fortune and I yearn his mischances, but I cannot depart. My men are not in travel shape and we are far a-field. Here out in the wilderness, forlorn, without provision and sustenance to guide us father hence.

BAO

Nay, you must come with all due haste, not a day is to be of loss.

STRATIOTES

We'll perish of famine and plague if we set off now. The dead must be attended.

MARSHAL

Aye, my lad is right. But if it pleases you sir and your own good judgment, I will manage with thee to the capitol and escort the King tither.

BAO

You give the King injury, but I perceive you of your honored state and yield it to you.

MARSHAL

Be not discouraged. If all is well and suited, mine own may make the journey's end by the harvest moon this week.

BAO

Come, the King has lent the best of horse. You and I shall ride a-stirrup and make with lightening pace, and there you may greet his liege.

Exit BAO and MARSHAL

STRATIOTES

Methinks this be but a cautel of sorts.

FELIX

Do not draw collections.

STRATIOTES

I believe he's combined our eyes and seeks to colt us on.

FELIX

He is a rather base fellow.

STRATIOTES

I would have given the sharpened end of my curtal-axe upon h his neck, had my master been at odds and clip the clout* with his head if I had not tempered it with so many bones today.

FELIX

The King seems in dire need, if all is as it has been accounted.

STRATIOTES

He credits it with an ire tongue.

FELIX

All aside, who will sing the vespers our master pertained?

STRATIOTES

Not I. The ho-boys can make it well. Let us rest awhile in the shade of orchard trees yonder. I am weary I need a waxing wager.

Exit STRATIOTES and FELIX

*An antiquated phrase meaning "to hit the bulls eyes" (assumably with an arrow).