Transcript – The Puppet Show

[The Pensive Tower theme plays]

ANNOUNCER
Scroll & Dagger presents
The Pensive Tower
Episode Thirty Nine: The Puppet Show

[A click, and the strange whirring of the venoscribe begins]

PAXTON
This is the memory of Arlan Hall. Human, aged twenty-seven, identified as…

[The lights flicker.]

PAXTON
What the…

[Paxton gets up to check the lightning lamps.]

PAXTON
Szelia! Did you replace the bulbs? … Szelia?

ALAYNE
I’m afraid Szelia isn’t available. Perhaps I could assist, Mister Ferox?

PAXTON
Who in the Depths are you?

ALAYNE
Oh, of course, how rude of me. My name is Alayne SinDreda.

PAXTON
… Oh.

ALAYNE
Yes.

PAXTON
I… thought you’d left the tower.

ALAYNE
[giggles] No you didn’t. I’ve been watching you, Mister Ferox. I’ve seen the way you look back over your shoulder at every turn. And you know what I want.

PAXTON
I just have to shout and Tower Security will be here.

ALAYNE
[laughs] Oh, I’ve already dealt with your security, Mister Ferox. And with your assistant.

PAXTON
Dealt with them how?

ALAYNE
Oh don’t worry, they’re not dead. Not yet. But that can change.

PAXTON
Where are they?

ALAYNE
They’re safe and sound. For now. And they’ll stay that way as long as you’re sensible.

PAXTON
Sensible?

ALAYNE
Meaning you do as you’re told, and don’t do anything stupid.

PAXTON
I see.

ALAYNE
The memory of Mallen Gorwyn. Please.

PAXTON
Maybe I’m not inclined to help you. Maybe I’d rather take my chances at taking you on here and now.

ALAYNE
[laughs] Oh Mister Ferox. Even if you were capable of doing something like that…

[Alayne draws a knife.]

PAXTON
What-

[Alayne stabs something, its hand.]

ALAYNE
There’s nothing you could do that would hurt me.

[The knife is removed.]

PAXTON
What are you?

ALAYNE
Nothing you need to worry about. At least, as long as you do what I tell you.

PAXTON
… The memory is in the Library. I’ll have to go down and get it.

ALAYNE
We’ll have to go and get it. I’m not letting you out of my sight. You might do something very stupid. Now, come on. After you.

[The venoscribe clicks off, then back on to Paxton pulling books off shelves and flicking through the pages.]

ALAYNE
-then of course you can. I know how important it is to you and this place to keep everything noted down.

PAXTON
You’re too kind.

ALAYNE
How much longer are you going to be? Your friends can’t wait around forever you know.

PAXTON
There are a lot of memories to go through and you wouldn’t let me get the index.

ALAYNE
Couldn’t have you alerting someone to what we’re doing. This is supposed to be secret.

PAXTON
Why do you want this memory so badly anyway? I’ve read it myself, it’s nothing particularly special. A young man talking about hunting monsters, it’s probably not even real.

ALAYNE
[giggles] Oh I don’t want it. It’s for my Master. He’s the one who wants it.

PAXTON
Your what now?

ALAYNE
My Master. Ser Rehmand duCosst. He actually came here a couple of years ago. Before his ascension.

PAXTON
The DulinArkers.

ALAYNE
[pleased] You’ve read it? Yes, he was brought into the True Fold. The Lord and Lady DulinArker are gone now, returned to Stemeveca.

PAXTON
What?

ALAYNE
Ser Rehmand has been appointed regent of these lands.

PAXTON
Regent?

ALAYNE
To prepare for the Queen’s return.

PAXTON
I… what? No. No, you can’t be serious.

ALAYNE
Oh, but I am.

PAXTON
The Queen Trapped Beyond the Maelstrom? Come on, everyone knows that’s a lot of-

ALAYNE
Oh, everyone knows a lot of things. But the things that everyone knows aren’t exactly right.

PAXTON
What are you talking about?

ALAYNE
All will be revealed in time, Mr. Ferox. All in good time. Speaking of time, have you found the memory yet?

[Paxton pulls another book off a shelf, pointedly.]

PAXTON
There is a lot to go through. If you need something to pass the time, well…

ALAYNE
What?

PAXTON
Well perhaps you’d like to donate a memory of your own?

ALAYNE
[amused] Me? Donate to your little collection? What would I even give you?

PAXTON
Anything you like. Some people give us treasured memories, others give important events. Maybe you could talk about how you became… like this.

ALAYNE
Ah. You mean how I became a… what did you call it? A marionette? Hm… Okay. Why not? It might be nice to have my story remembered. Though I do wonder who would listen to this after the return of the Queen. Well, go on then, speak your words.

PAXTON
This is the memory of Alayne sinDreda. Formally human, aged… unknown. Identified as…

ALAYNE
Non-applicable.

PAXTON
Memory regards how… it became as it is today. Inscribed direct from subject on the sixteenth of Kalla, 730

We Begin.

ALAYNE (STATEMENT)
I suppose this story truly begins with the end of my life. The life I had before I mean.

I was born in Brana to a wealthy family. I won’t go into too much detail on my childhood, suffice to say that my father ensured I was given every opportunity and I received the best education available. Not that that really mattered to me. History and Literature are all very well, and I did learn what I needed, but what was far more important was that I went to those schools. For it allowed me to make the contacts I could use for the rest of my life.

I befriended the daughters of every family of note in the north, attended their parties and get-togethers. Then, later on, I began courting the sons. Nothing serious, not at that age, just enough to ensure I was known to anyone who might be of influence later on in life.

By the time I came of age, I had become one of the most adored socialites in north Senteria. My attendance was sought after at every soiree and function across Brana. I regularly made the list of most eligible bachelorettes of Pascorra. My hand was sought by the sons and daughters of some of the wealthiest families in all the Federation.

I would like to say it was because of my charm and wit. Once, I might have even claimed that. But I know it was my father’s money they wanted. He had invested wisely in the fur trade from my mother’s homeland, and had a controlling stake in the port of Witshor.

We were hardly the wealthiest family in the north, but my dowry was enough to turn the head of any heir of an impoverished noble house, and a fair few of the wealthier ones as well.

Rehmand duCosst was one such example. The duCossts have done very well in their own investments in the silk market, not to mention their partnership with the duLane family down here in the south. Young Rehmand was quite the desirable match.

Of course, everyone knew that he… “got about.” It was no secret that he was free with his affection. He even seemed to take a perverse pleasure in the fact that so many people knew. But, I won’t lie, it just made him all the more desirable.

When I got the invitation to Jachim SinAlant’s party, I was quite excited. Because I knew Rehmand would be there. He and Jachim were old friends and I knew Rehmand would go along to give his support. And this party, I thought, might give me the opportunity to lock him down.

If I could get him to at least commit to me in name, that would be a step. I was in no rush to be married yet and I had a couple of other prospects that would be equally as acceptable, but Rehmand was my first choice so I went to the party with that as my objective.

Almost as soon as I arrived, I was quickly surrounded by a small crowd of hopeful young men. None of them were serious options for me, bless them, but they were all handsome, polite and complimentary so I allowed them to bask in my company while I sought out Rehmand.

I did eventually catch sight of him. He looked like he had just arrived so I beckoned to him to join me but he shook his head and gestured towards Mr. SinAlant. I understood, of course, Mr. SinAlant was the host it would be unseemly for Rehmand not to speak with him first.

I expected him to make some pleasantries with his friends then, of course, he would come to me.

But he did not.

After a quick conversation with his friend, Rehmand wandered off, leaving me to make polite conversation with the small group that had gathered around me.

I found out later, from talking to Mr. SinAlant, that Rehmand had gone in search of Lady Mirina DulinArker.

I couldn’t believe what I had heard. I had never heard of this woman, and I took pride in the fact that I knew everyone worth knowing. I had been a guest and a friend to anyone I might have considered a rival, and all by then knew what my intentions were with Rehmand. Zara SinFrost had even taken up with Rayarin DulinMahlan, just to make it clear she had no interest in being my competition.

Zara’s a sweet girl. It’s a shame what happened.

But now there was this person, this interloper, a complete unknown who had, it seems, caught Rehmand’s attention. My fears were confirmed later, when I saw Rehmand leaving with a gorgeous woman on his arm. I’d been speaking with Mr. SinAlant at the time, and he confirmed that was Mirina DulinArker.

Rehmand spared me the barest glance then turned his attention back to the woman on his arm and, together, they swept out of the room. I was livid. I had been cast aside. Just like that. With not even a word.

I have already said I did not mind what he got up to with others, we were not promised or anything. But to do this so… flagrantly, and right in front of me. That sent a very clear message.

I am ashamed of how I felt. That I held animosity towards the most revered Lady. The only excuse I can give is that I didn’t know any better at the time.

I daresay, when I saw the Lady and Rehmand leaving together, I lost my composure for a moment. To be treated like that was intolerable. And it was made worse when I turned to see that little weasel, SinAlant, smirking as he watched his friend depart

I left the party shortly after, returning to my home. I didn’t sleep for the rest of the night, I was too annoyed. Who was this woman, this Mirina DulinArker? She had appeared as if from nowhere and had swept Rehmand, my preferred prospect, right out away from me. His family wealth and connections combined with my own could have allowed us to dominate northern Senteria. Power, position, they could have been ours. I did not care he had left with her, he can have his fun as I do. But him leaving without even speaking a word to me was a clear slight that could be interpreted no other way. And he had done this for a woman who had come as if from nowhere.

I had to know all I could of her.

I summoned my equerry. He has been with me since I came of age, his contract had been a birthday present. His name was Mister Sholt.

I summoned him to my living chamber and told him what he was to do. I wanted all the information he could gather on this Mirina DulinArker. Where had she come from? What was her business? And how could I get her out of my way?

[wistful sigh] How childish I was. How ignorant. I really didn’t understand anything of what was happening.

At the time, I thought I was playing the game we of the upper class play and removing a rival. I assumed this Mirina would be doing the same thing aimed at me. And if she wasn’t then she was a fool.

Mister Sholt has a network that he calls on when I need information, when I need someone dealt with. The scum of Brana is not a group I would have ever associated with personally, not in those days. But they certainly had their uses.

I knew it would take some time for Mister Sholt to bring me anything useful, and so I was left to pace my rooms in my spare time, impatient for results.

Though, as it turned out, I did not have to wait very long before some information on Mirina was brought to me.

It turned out that Ms Mirina DulinArker was actually a Mrs. Her husband, Abraem DulinArker, was a Lnight of the Federation, the last living member of a very old and very wealthy house.

I had to stop myself dancing when Mister Sholt brought me that bit of news. This was the perfect blackmail material, I thought in my ignorance. If this husband found out what she was up to, she would likely be ruined. I would write a letter and assure her that her darling husband Abraem wouldn’t know about her dalliance with Rehmand if she agreed to leave him alone from now on.

I might use the information to ruin her in the future, but only if she crossed me. Who knows, I thought, perhaps this Mirina and I would become friends. She might be a useful tool and a reliable one if I could hold this over her.

The next piece of news Mister Sholt told me took all that wind out of my sails. Mirina had brought Rehmand back to her own house, he said, where the husband had been waiting. They had, the three of them, spent the night together.

Elation turned to bitter anger and I dismissed Mister Sholt before falling into a fury.

The next weeks passed by in a bit of a haze. I received letters of admiration from aspiring suitors, I even responded to some of them. But I heard not one word from Rehmand. No apology, no explanation, nothing. Not even a note to state his intentions with the DulinArkers and that we were to be no more than acquaintances going forward.

Because, from what I had heard, Rehmand’s association with the DulinArkers had gone far beyond a mere dalliance. They were going everywhere together; dinner, the theatre, everywhere. It was unbelievable how they paraded themselves.

Then, about two months after Jachim SinAlant’s party, Mister Sholt brought me an envelope with my breakfast. On it was my name, written in an elegant hand that I knew very well.

I dismissed my servant and then opened the envelope. It was from Rehmand, of course, inviting me to dinner that evening. He wrote how sorry he was for his behaviour, how he regretted his actions that led to the distance between us. He begged me to accept his invitation so that he might make his amends.

Well, I was in two minds. On the one hand, I was still angry at Rehmand for his rudeness but on the other, I did like the tone of his letter. Perhaps there was a chance to make this work. The opportunities our match would create were so tempting that, in the end, I decided to accept and selected the dress I would wear to my dinner with him. I knew it had to be something that would make an impression.

And I chose well, as you can see, Mister Ferox.

But, that evening, I thought I’d chosen poorly because when he first saw me, Rehmand did not have the look of a man struck by my beauty. He simply smiled and welcomed me warmly.

I, meanwhile, was in awe of him. Granted it had been weeks since I had last seen him but I did not remember him being so magnificent.

The room was quite dim, lit only by candle light, yet his skin seemed to glow. And his eyes shone as if they were full of starlight.

I tried to maintain my composure and greeted him by name, as coldly as I could, but even that went poorly. For he interrupted me to tell me that he had been knighted since we had seen each other last, and that it was Ser Rehmand duCosst now.

I just stood there, unable to believe what I was hearing. The only thing I could think was that I was going to find out who had failed to bring me this crucial information and I was going to have them punished most severely.

He invited me to sit, calling for wine.

As I took my seat, a well dressed servant appeared as if from nowhere carrying a tray of glasses and a decanter. He was smiling warmly, the picture of the perfect servant, in a well pressed suit. A little too perfect. There was a vacancy there, behind the eyes. I’m sure you know exactly what I’m talking about, Mister Ferox.

The servant approached the table. I wouldn’t say he walked. His legs certainly moved but they weren’t what propelled him forward.

Again, I’m sure you can imagine what I’m talking about, Mister Ferox.

I remember how scared I was when I saw that. I don’t know if I screamed or if I only thought I did. I certainly wanted to. Ser Rehmand placed a hand on my shoulder.

“Don’t mind him,” he said, “pretend he’s not even here.”

And his voice was so gentle, so calm, so soothing, that I forgot what I had seen and why it had so alarmed me. I looked up and my eyes met his. And I was lost in the sparkling beauty of them.

I had always thought Rehmand was a good looking man. But there was something more to him now. He was beautiful.

He didn’t immediately take his seat. Instead, while his servant poured drinks, he repeated what he had said in the letter, that he wished to apologise.

He had been unforgivably rude, he said, to have ignored me so over the past few weeks. He had realised how much he needed me, that I was the only one he could ever want and had no desire for anyone other than me.

In that moment, his words were sweeter than the finest sugar to me. Which is strange because I think at any other time, I might have scorned such words. But there, at that table, I forgot all the anger, all the resentment, the embarrassment I’d been subjected to. It all just drained out of me.

I think I held onto it long enough to ask him; “What about the DulinArkers?”

Ser Rehmand had clearly expected the question and smiled.

“They’re gone,” he said, softly, and his voice sent a shiver through me. “But let’s not speak of them. I wish only to speak of you.”

Any resistance I might have put up against him fled in that instant. The rest of the night passed in a haze, it was like a dream.

I remember only brief moments. The two of us eating while the servant stood close at hand, still as a statue unless he was needed. But I no longer noticed anything strange about him. All my attention was on Ser Rehmand.

Then we were talking together on the terrace beneath the starry sky, the moonlight seeming to be reflected in Ser Rehmand’s face.

And then we were in the garden, with Ser Rehmand holding me so close and asking if I would be his. If I would give everything I am to him. My mind was a whirling storm by this point. I was filled with desire and, I think, even love. So much so that, as he held my face in his hands, my eyes locked on his, I did not even hesitate. I said yes.

Ser Rehmand smiled. And then his smile got bigger. And wider. And in that second I realised for the first time how sharp his teeth were.

And that was the last thought Alayne SinDreda had. I have vague memories of Ser Rehmand’s jaw stretching like a snake’s but I’m afraid Alayne’s mind was just too muddled by then to take everything in.

PAXTON
But, I thought you were Alayne SinDreda?

ALAYNE
To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure of that myself. I have all her memories. I remember going to school, the lessons she attended. I remember the parties she went to, the men she flirted with, her schemes, manipulations, her emotions. If I remember all of that, does that make me her?

PAXTON
I, erm…

ALAYNE
I suppose it doesn’t really matter what you think. All that’s important is that I know my purpose now. Before, I thought it was to make a good match to improve my family’s position. Or rather, Alayne did… You see what I mean, Mister Ferox? It can be confusing.

PAXTON
I –

ALAYNE
But I know that my purpose is to carry out the will of Ser Rehmand. And, of course, Lord and Lady DulinArker.

PAXTON
You’re a fan of theirs now, are you?

ALAYNE
They are the Night Queen’s chosen. They are most sacred.

PAXTON
[scoffs] The Night Queen? You really believe in all that rubbish?

ALAYNE
It’s not a matter of belief, Mister Ferox. It is an inevitability.

PAXTON
You’re insane.

ALAYNE
That’s not possible anymore. Now, I’m getting tired of waiting. Where is that memory?

PAXTON
Here.

[Paxton pulls a book of the shelf, and hands it to Alayne.]

PAXTON
This is the one.

ALAYNE
[relieved sigh] Yes. Yes it is. Thank you, Mister Ferox. You’ve been very helpful. Ser Rehmand duCosst thanks you.

PAXTON
Whatever. Where are Szelia and the others?

ALAYNE
Ha! Oh don’t worry about them. After I’ve killed you, I’ll attend to them.

[Alayne draws a dagger.]

PAXTON
What?!

ALAYNE
You are a smart man, Mister Ferox. It’s surprising that you’re so stupid. How else did you think this would end? We can’t have you telling anyone about this. About us.

PAXTON
Wait, wait, no! Wait just a minute! Wa-

[Paxton scrabbles to get away. Alayne quickly reaches him and stabs him in the leg. Paxton screams in pain.]

ALAYNE
It’s okay, Mister Ferox, it’ll be over soon.

PAXTON
Please! Please don’t do this.

ALAYNE
Begging is pointless, Mister Ferox, we can’t let you live.

SZELIA
[from a distance] There they are!

ALAYNE
Oh, there you are! We were just wondering where you slipped off to.

[Edubarrus’ heavy footsteps approach.]

EDUBARRUS
I think you have overstayed your welcome.

ALAYNE
And you brought the High Librarian. We are honoured.

EDUBARRUS
You needn’t be. It is time for you to go.

ALAYNE
[giggles] And how are you going to make us?

EDUBARRUS
With this.

ALAYNE
[fearful] No…

SZELIA
Paxton! Are you okay?

PAXTON
[weakly] Not… Not particularly. What is that he’s holding?

[A heavy wind picks up inside the room.]

ALAYNE
No! You can’t have that! That isn’t fair!

SZELIA
It looks like… is that a glass candle?

EDUBARRUS
I would have you be gone!

[An unearthly screech, the wind dies down, Alayne is gone.]

EDUBARRUS
Why don’t we go somewhere a little more comfortable. We have quite a lot to talk about.

[The venoscribe clicks, and the whirring stops.]

[The end theme plays and the Announcer recites the credits.]