TWICE WEDDED | A play in three acts

[esotericas 2674]

 

T W I C E
W E D D E D

✩ A PLAY IN THREE ACTS ✩

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AN EMBELLISHED RETELLING OF the infamous CUCKOLD’S WAR of the early 20th century.
The tale described in this play does not purport to be wholly accurate, nor wholly friendly to its characters,
or the historical figures that inspired them. It should be treated as a work of dramatic fiction, not of history.

 

Penned 2071.

 

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✩ CAST ✩

IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE

 

Renilde Temesch - Mid 30’s, ginger hair, charismatic and lovely. Dressed in whites, greens, and pale blues.

Prince Marius Barbanov - Early 30’s, tall, dark, and handsome. Muscular. Dressed in fashionable armor.

Constanz Novellen - Early 40’s, sunkissed. Dressed in purples and golds, in Balianite style.

King Georg Barbanov - Mid 30’s, dark like his brother, portly or thin, but not muscular. Dressed in black and gold. Wears a simple circlet.

 

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Spoiler

 

 

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✩ ACT I ✩

SCENE I

 

Spoiler

RENILDE sits at her desk, stage left. She looks perturbed. She writes a letter.

 

RENILDE

Prince Marius,

I find myself overwhelmed with anxieties.

Fear of failure consumes me.

My departed father gave me my title, 

I am a duchess by inheritance, 

And by blood, not by marriage.

The people of the Petra are not used to a woman at their helm.

I fear they will not heed my command, or trust in my choices.

The harvest fails again, our finances are gone.

We can not afford instability.

Now more than ever I yearn for your company and your advice.

You always know what to say.

 

MARIUS reclines on a sofa, stage right, with a bottle of wine. He is handsome, but inelegant. He writes as well.

 

MARIUS

Lady Renilde,

Your people are clever and cultured,

Though I am not.

If I can see your worth, surely they can too.

You will lead well, I am certain.

The River Petra is your blessing. 

Leave the potatoes and wheat to the Haeseni,

We grow them well in our expansive valleys.

Merchantry should be your trade,

The river is the lifeblood of Almaris. 

And you in all your loveliness sit

At its red, beating heart.

 

RENILDE lifts a letter from a stack, reads it, and grows flustered.

 

MARIUS

I hope its stream will carry you to my side.

That I may look on you again,

As I did when you visited Karosgrad. 

I recall the softness of your hair,

The loveliness of your look,

And the smell of your perfume.

 

MARIUS stands, and crosses to stage left. He takes RENILDE’s hand, and leads her behind a screen, where they kiss (presumably.)

 

RENILDE [From behind the screen]

To my noble Mars,

When will I see you again?

Our visits are short,

Gasps of fresh air amidst the stifling of my husband.

That I had married you, instead of him-!

With my wit and charm,

And the noble boldness of your heroism,

We could have ruled the Petra well together.

Instead we must mask our affections,

And visit one another only briefly.

For now I must say farewell,

 

MARIUS exits. RENILDE emerges from the screen, a bit unraveled. She turns to watch him go.

 

RENILDE

But again I ask,

When will I see you again?

 

RENILDE returns to her desk, and opens another letter.

 

MARIUS [Offstage]

Tender angel,

You intoxicate me. 

I dream of your slender arm, your delicate hand,

The thought of your lips fills my heart with–

 

A knock from backstage left, interrupting MARIUS, and CONSTANZ enters. RENILDE hides the letter in her desk.

 

CONSTANZ

Wife. 

 

RENILDE

Husband.

 

CONSTANZ

Our advisors will not cooperate with me. They demand your presence. 

 

RENILDE

They are my advisors, Constanz. I am the Duchess.

 

CONSTANZ

As you so often remind me. 

You are untrained in matters of war, diplomacy, or politics, 

Though I was taught these arts well, in the marble halls of my home,

You rule here.

 

RENILDE

You may return to Balian if you prefer the blistering sun and desert sands

To the riverlands and sprawling vineyards of the Petra.

Either way you will be powerless.

 

CONSTANZ scowls, and turns to depart. As he does so, RENILDE peeks at the letter again.

 

CONSTANZ

To whom do you write, wife?

 

RENILDE

To the greatest of the Crows.

 

CONSTANZ

Not only does a woman rule the Petra, but a mad one. 

Crows can neither read nor write! 

Go, your advisors await you.

 

RENILDE departs. CONSTANZ darts over to her desk, and withdraws the letter. 

 

CONSTANZ, [Reading]

Tender angel,

You intoxicate me. 

I dream of your slender arm, your delicate hand,

The thought of your lips fills my heart with– 

[He scoffs]

What creature wrote this? 

What pig ruts in the mud with my wife?

 

 CONSTANZ turns the letter over to read the backside. He grows pale.

 

CONSTANZ

From Prince Marius of Haense,

To Duchess Renilde of the Petra.

A Crow indeed.

I have heard of his bravery, his boldness and strength.

This bloodied prince, he is a lover of many women, they say.

He will soon forget her.

 

CONSTANZ puts the letter in his pocket.

 

CONSTANZ

This letter inspires me, however.

It will be a great weapon in my war against my wife.

A cunning plan comes to me, thanks to this prince.

I shall take what is hers, and make it mine.

 

Exit.

 

SCENE II

 

Spoiler

The courtyard of the Haeseni Palace. MARIUS and GEORG spar. 

 

GEORG

To this, I strike above!

 

MARIUS

You leave your side exposed for my blade.

 

GEORG

So I retreat–

 

He stumbles, and falls to the ground, though he laughs it off.

 

GEORG

Entirely, it seems! 

This will be an ugly bruise tomorrow.

 

MARIUS [Laughing]

Usually my own talents win me our fights, not your lack of them.

Something is on your mind.

Stand, kingly brother, and tell me what distracts you.

[He helps him up]

 

GEORG

The duties of my crown, dear Marius.

You have been free to pursue your passions, second son.

Your soldiery pleases you,

But I am obliged to rule, and to rule well.

 

MARIUS

And it does not please you?

 

GEORG

Not today.

 

MARIUS

You of all people, my good-hearted brother, 

Deserve to rule pleasantly.

How can I help you?

 

GEORG

Our vassal Rutherns, prone to conflict as you know,

Fight with the Petrans.

I worry their provocation will come to war,

And we can not afford to fund it.

They do not heed my instructions.

 

MARIUS

They ignore the word of their king?

 

GEORG

They ignore the word of this king.

I am too kindly. I need your help.

Go to them, and convince them to lay down their arms.

The Duchess of the Petra will be there,

To negotiate the peace.

Threaten them if you must.

I will not lose our best men to pointless war.

 

MARIUS

I will go at once.

[Exits]

 

GEORG

Foolish hero, you are.

I am slave to my heart, to my love of life,

I hate battle. 

I wish you were like me, hands clean of blood,

But then who would raise his sword for our kingdom?

[Exits]

 

 

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✩ ACT II ✩

SCENE I

 

Spoiler

A square or courtyard in Petra. CONSTANZ stands facing the audience, the letter in his hand. RENILDE watches from afar. 

 

CONSTANZ

You have heard the way my wife writes,

People of the Petra - my people.

Wanton.

Lusty.

She sells herself to this prince of Haense,

And she will sell the Petra to them too.

You will be vassal to the Crow,

And speak their dirty language.

This is the leadership of woman,

Trading honor and freedom,

So recently won,

For the pleasures of the flesh.

 

RENILDE [Aside]

Disgusting man,

He makes a fool of himself, 

In his clumsy attempts to take what is mine.

Our marriage is the only tie

Between him and Petra,

This man of Balianite stock.

His claim is worthless.

 

CONSTANZ

Renilde leads like a man, 

But she is too cowardly to fight like one.

This war must continue, and I should lead it as your Duke.

Though this title is not mine by blood,

I claim it by right of virtue,

Renilde has betrayed us all, and it should be taken from her.

Heed not her cries for dishonorable peace,

Raise your swords against Haense,

And make the Petran banner mine, not hers!

 

RENILDE steps forward, and addresses Constanz.

 

RENILDE

If you cared for the Petra, as you so claim

Then you would know what harm this foolish war would cause us.

Our people starve.

Their pockets are empty of money and of bread.

I will not reject your defamation.

It is true, I love him.

But our love is pure.

As is my love for the Petra.

I would never lead my people into battle,

To their inevitable death,

To feed desire for power.

You are greedy, husband.

I may be tainted by my love of another man, 

But who could love a husband such as you?

Who sobs and cries,

A pathetic cuckold,

And tries to rob his wife of her rightful power?

My people know,

My love for them is true and real,

And will never falter.

You would trample their bleeding bodies,

Crush their sons’ skulls,

Just to grab at power you have no right to hold.

 

CONSTANZ

Disgusting woman,

You defame me!

You–

[He splutters. He realizes he has lost.]

There will be war!

 

RENILDE

There must be peace.

[She turns to address the audience.]

Petrans, we will find peace.

Your sons will not die a gruesome death

To Ruthern blades,

For the private affairs of my bedchamber.

King Georg and I will discuss terms.

 

The pair part ways - CONSTANZ exiting one side, RENILDE the other.

 

SCENE II

 

Spoiler

An office in Haense, perhaps belonging to GEORG, who confers with MARIUS.

 

GEORG

Brother, is this letter true?

Tell me this isn’t true.

You and the Duchess?

 

MARIUS

I think you know already.

 

GEORG

You are a fool, Marius.

More foolish than I first believed.

 

MARIUS

I listened to my heart, as you so often say I should.

 

GEORG

Your heart is inconstant!

You listened to your lust, which is fleeting.

This mistake will bring ruin on us.

 

MARIUS

I love her, Georg.

I love her truly.

 

GEORG

We can not bear a war.

This will destroy Haense, it will destroy our people.

It will be your fault.

 

MARIUS

I will fight them all myself, if I must. 

 

GEORG

How can I prevent this war, Marius?

Constanz demands your head on a pike.

Perhaps I should give it to him!

You have earned it, with this foolishness.

 

MARIUS

Then do it, brother. 

Betray me, as I have betrayed Haense.

 

GEORG

I can not.

My love for you is too great.

 

MARIUS

Then allow me to fix my mistake.

 

RENILDE enters, CONSTANZ behind her. MARIUS steps aside, but remains in the room. RENILDE watches him as they speak.

 

RENILDE

Good King Georg, my greetings.

 

GEORG

Lady Renilde, Lord Constanz.

Let us be efficient with our time.

 

RENILDE

You will hear no complaints from me.

 

GEORG

Neither of us can afford this war.

Not in population, nor in wealth. 

No matter who wins, it will destroy us both.

 

CONSTANZ

And yet it is just.

 

GEORG

I do not deny my brother has done you great offense.

 

RENILDE

But his offense is personal, Constanz.

Why should the Petran people suffer for his - and my - decisions?

 

CONSTANZ

I wish to see him dead.

 

MARIUS

Then fight me like a man,

Instead of abusing the good name of Lady Renilde,

And killing her people, who she adores.  

A duel.

 

CONSTANZ

A duel.

 

GEORG

To blood, or to death?

Lord Constanz?

 

CONSTANZ

To death. I would rather die than tolerate this dishonor.

 

MARIUS

To death, then. Tomorrow.

 

GEORG

Very well. Let he who wins, call the Lady his bride. 

Come, let us discuss further terms.

 

GEORG exits, and CONSTANZ follows. RENILDE is about to join them, but MARIUS stops her. 

 

MARIUS

My love–

 

RENILDE

Not now.

 

She gives him her handkerchief.

 

RENILDE

Fight with my favor. 

Promise me something, Marius.

 

MARIUS

Anything.

 

RENILDE

You will marry me, when you beat him.

 

MARIUS

But–

 

GEORG [Offstage]

Lady Renilde, come!

 

RENILDE

Promise me!

[She exits.]

 

MARIUS stands alone at center-stage, holding the handkerchief. He remains there until the curtains draw.

 

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✩ ACT III ✩

SCENE I

 

Spoiler

MARIUS stands at center-stage, the handkerchief tied around his arm. He holds an imposing sword, and a helm. CONSTANZ approaches from stage left. RENILDE and GEORG watch from somewhere above.

 

CONSTANZ

Today I wear no favor,

I fight for a great lady,

The Petra herself,

For my people and my Duchy.

 

MARIUS

I wear the favor of your lady,

Balianite,

And I fight for her love.

[He puts on his helm.]

 

CONSTANZ

Fight me then,

Spoiled princeling,

I will not cower.

 

They clash. CONSTANZ is showy, but weak. He tries a fancy step, and stumbles.

 

MARIUS

They do not teach you the blade,

In your southern oasis?

Or perhaps the ground you stand on

Is as weak as your claim

On my lady’s title.

 

CONSTANZ

Silence, barbarian.

We are here to do battle.

 

MARIUS

The cuckold can not fight and speak at once.

 

They clash again. MARIUS forces CONSTANZ back a few steps.

 

MARIUS

My great blade Maliha, 

She will slay you, Novellen.

A gift from a woman who loved me,

Such joy you will never feel.

 

CONSTANZ

Damn you!

 

CONSTANZ attempts a final swing - MARIUS catches it, and slices clean through CONSTANZ’s arm. Both arm and sword fall to the ground - followed by CONSTANZ, who falls too.

 

MARIUS

Tired already, my lord?

No wonder your wife sought other pleasures.

 

CONSTANZ groans in pain.

 

RENILDE

Enough!

The duel is won! 

 

MARIUS 

He is not dead.

I will end it now.

 

MARIUS raises his sword, but before he can strike–

 

GEORG

Stop this, brother. You have won.

Medics, help the Lord Constanz.

 

CONSTANZ fights to his feet, and stumbles offstage. His severed arm remains on the battlefield. RENILDE descends to join MARIUS.

 

GEORG

Let this be the end of your foolishness.

You won, Marius, as you always do.

Wed Renilde, and depart from Haense.

You have saved our people’s lives,

But not our nation’s reputation.

Leave.

 

GEORG exits. RENILDE removes MARIUS’s helm.

 

RENILDE

Marius.

 

MARIUS

Renilde.

 

RENILDE

You have won. You are my husband now.

Join me in Petra. Our people will welcome you, 

Your good spirits a welcome balm after Constanz’s fire and hatred.

 

MARIUS gives her back the handkerchief.

 

MARIUS

Perhaps one day I will.

But not today.

 

RENILDE

–What?

 

MARIUS

Farewell, wife.

For we are lovers no more,

But bound now by oath of matrimony,

Your past marriage dissolved.

[He puts the helmet back on]

 

RENILDE

Surely this is a blessing. We may be united as one, now.

 

MARIUS

It is the binding that breeds hatred.

I wish to love you still,

So I must be apart from you.

In doing so, my heart will remain fond.

I promise to write.

 

MARIUS exits. RENILDE is alone on stage, with only her handkerchief and CONSTANZ’s arm for company. She faces the audience, shocked. A moment of silence.

She is so alone.

The curtains close.

 

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[TaraJess 2848]

Aurelian Greye prays she gets a chance to audition one day, the young actress rather eager to be a part of as many productions as possible!

[Cheese 8880]

Juniper slides the play to her husband, giggling at times and people both long gone. "Remember when this happened? Maybe we ought to go once it's put into the theatres.. I do love a good play."

[prophetisms 982]

Within the confines of her atelier, Jorena read over the script, her lips curling into a smile as she read through some of the lines. If one thing was certain, she would find herself a front row seat once this play took to stage.

[tilly 5115]

I ******* LOVE THIS AAAAAAAA RENILDE I OF THE PETRA SCREAMS FROM THE HEAVENS 

[Deets 1129]

The current Archduke of the Petra scanned the contents of the play with a mirthful laugh as he read through the acts, dramatized as they were. His copy was thereafter offered to his aunt, the Grand Chamberlain Mattea as he asked, "A play worth sponsoring in your theater, non?" @tilly

[Hom 1987]

After reading the rather captivating historical play, Alistair pens a letter to the Lady Manon sincerely complimenting her work! From him, that’s a rather rare gesture.