THE ENGLISH
ACT ZERO
SCENE FOUR
MacDuff
stood by the Thames River, with his stare on the London Tower.
The Tower
of London, officially His Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower
of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the river
Thames in central London, England. It was founded toward the end of
1066 as part of the Norman Conquest. The White Tower, which gives the
entire castle its name, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078
and was initially a resented symbol of oppression, inflicted upon London by the
new Norman ruling class. The castle was once as a prison, and a royal
residence, an armoury, a treasury, a menagerie, among many other
functions. Its notable residents included such as Elizabeth I before
she became queen, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Elizabeth Throckmorton,
were held within its walls. This use has led to the phrase "sent to the
Tower".
Over
the generations with the Royal City of London as it was named then, had
expanded with many impressive structures, the lineage of nobles had stopped any
development near the tower.
“It
shall be preserved to eternity for it represent the nation.” The King that had
made that proclamation then had since deceased but his words were listened by
the other ascending Kings.
“Good
day, MacDuff.” The Thane turned to look at the figure who addressed him.
“Good
day, Malcolm. Are you doing well?” MacDuff was concerned on the prince.
“I
am fine. The Tower is drafty in the night but we are used to it from the days
at the Highlands.”
“How
did the King Edward treat you?”
“His
Highness treats me well. He is aware that MacBeth is upset but he will not turn
me over. He owes it to Father whom he shared a friendship.”
“How
fares Donalbain?” MacDuff enquired.
“He
is good. He is with the Irish and they had forgotten their conflicts with us.”
Malcolm then turned to the matter on his mind.
“How
fares the King? I meant the one who took over as King.”
“MacBeth
is good. He is upset at the death of Banquo and of late, had some setbacks on
his health. He rants on the spirits and disallowed any Healers to attend to
him.”
“Do
take care of him.” Malcolm told the other. “Explain to him that we did not ……”
“Hush
there, Malcolm. I know neither of you killed your father. It was the deed of
another but the fault was laid onto you.”
“You
saved us that night.” Malcolm was grateful to MacDuff.
“It
may task. I loved your father but they were to pin his death on the two of
you.” MacDuff sighed. “It was a task to get the two of away. Donalbain was to
split from you so that killers whoever they are will not catch the two of you
in one place. King Edward is a good friend of mine and he returns the favour to
protect you.”
“What
of Father’s killer?” Malcolm asked. “Will we ever know?”
“Leave
it away, Malcolm. I will find the real killer.” MacDuff looked at the tower. He
recalled that day when he walked to the King’s chamber and saw the latter dead.
He had sounded the alarm, while he searched for the guards. MacBeth was seen
then with his hands blooded and the dagger in his right hand.
“I
killed the killers. It was the guards. They killed the King.” MacBeth had told
him. “I will see to Lennox now.”
MacDuff
was to question the other, but MacBeth had rushed off. He approached the dead
guards and saw them lying motionless. He had wanted to question the guards but
it was to no avail. He examined the dead guards and caught the scent of the wine.
He searched for the goblet and found it near the guards. He took a whiff of the
remaining contents and then took some samples.
The
result of the samples drew more questions to him, and he decided to go to see
Malcolm. He asked the prince of that night’s event.
“MacDuff,
are you sure?” Malcolm asked.
“I
had to. My life is at risk. I have sent words to my family. May God save them.”
MacDuff sighed.
His
love and their only son.
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