A play for the Dramatic Verse Workshop

What Men Hear, What Men Fear
(being an original tale of the epic poem
Ҫaҫo, Man of the Morning Star)

Cast of Characters
Lord General Amos Reid, a robust man of eighty nine
Marla, a lovely girl of twelve

(The cavernous highway deep beneath the River Lurien)

Reid
… and yet the sound does not relent.
We cannot sleep. I’m truly spent.
Marla
I find it strange it pleases me,
whereas full half our host is mad.
A thousand souls are driven thus
and always it does not abate.
Reid
‘Tis true what you have said of late-
we must discern its nature foul
if there be hope to mitigate
the dread effect upon our folk,
but I do fear what you’ve bespoke.
Marla
‘Tis all we have of hope to do.
My magicks sir, will see me through.
Reid
You have not trained and yet you use
the mystic spells spite they abuse.
How came you Marla by this strength?
Marla
I know not how I came to know.
Reid
And yet you wield it as a witch
six times your age and of The Naw.
Marla
I know not how I came to know,
but such I feel and so profess-
I can indeed so ascertain
the nature of this song and gain
the knowledge I have hopes will prove
an answer and as such remove
this threat to all we hope to do.
Reid
But at what cost to flesh and soul?
Marla
It may be great, but I am whole.
If we are to survive our trek
we must learn how to veil the sound.

(Marla sits crosslegged far from the host)

Reid
Ah Marla, I do fear this task.
Marla
Despite such fear, you mayn’t ask.
I will perform this and succeed.
Do not disturb me. Will you swear?
Reid
I cannot in good conscience swear,
but I’ll not stop you if I can.
Marla
Then I now break the Dharma’s law.
“Fondil en crusos, weil sum naw.”
I close my eyes. Let magic sigh.
I search the sound for answers nigh.
“Fondil en crusos, weil sum naw.”
Reid
(whispers)
Upon the River Sea I swear,
her skin glows red as well the air.
Marla
“Fondil en crusos, weil sum naw.”
Reid
Gods Marla, you begin to smoke!
Marla
Recall your vow and touch me not!
“Fondil en crusos, weil sum naw!”
Reid
You’re rising from the highway charmed!
Cease now my child, before you’re harmed!
Your eyes begin to bleed profuse!
Marla
Do touch me not! I am too close!
I see the answer in my mind,
but all is shrouded. Fog I find.
Reid
You risk too much and I am hurt
as much as you. Ah Marla, stop!
Marla
I am too close! I am too close!
“Fondil en crusos, weil sum naw.”
Reid

(whispers)

What do you see? What can you hear?
Marla
I see but smoke, but now I hear
the music as I never did!
For it is music, music base!
I know the source and you were right!
This knowledge would be best unknown.

(She lowers to the ground)

Reid
Speak Marla, what was it you heard?

(She is silent for a nonce)

Reid
What came to you at such a risk?
Marla
The highway journeys ever down.
With every mile the music grows.
In time it will be more to bear
than common men might chance endure.
It’s terminus draws ever near.
Sans hope it is and wrapped in fear.
There is no water in this well,
for we can hear the Bell’s of Hell.