The Highland Tale; The King Act Five Scene Three Sub Act One

 

THE LION CORNERED

ACT FIVE

SCENE THREE

SUB ACT ONE

 

The King sat at his chamber with his sight on the window that displayed the hills. Once he was there on the hills, watching his army marching. He felt proud to be the leader of those men. He also remembered the moments at battle when his soldiers clashed with the enemies. The Man-Suits were deployed in the front to level the enemies. Every army have their own destructive weapons; the English the Juggernauts, the Irish their cannons and the Highlanders held their Man-Suits. There were other weapons to counter these destructive machines.

The King saw the scout standing at the doorway.

“Do not bring me any more reports. Let all the Thanes run from me.”

“My King, they are near to Birnam Wood.” The servant told him.

“Birnam Wood? Till it can move to Dunsinane, I will be unaffected by fear.” The King voiced out. He had been talking of Birman Wood and Dunsinane for some time; yet none made sense of it.

“What is the boy, Malcolm? Was he not born from a woman?” The King roared. “Maybe he is of the construct. I heard tales of them but fables they are.”

“The Angels that know the future have told me this: “Do not fear, MacBeth. No man born from a woman will ever overpower you.” So run, disloyal Thanes, and join the soft and self-indulgent English! My mind and heart will never waver with doubt or shake with fear.” MacBeth was laughing then.

A servant entered then.  

“May the devil turn you black, you pale-faced fool! Why do you look as frightened as a goose?” The King glared at the servant.

“There are ten thousand …….”

“Geese, fool?” The King asked. “Or sows?”

“Soldiers, my King.”

“Go prick your cheeks so blood will hide their whiteness, you cowardly boy. What soldiers, fool?” MacBeth roared. ““Damn you! That pale face of yours will influence the others to be afraid as well. What soldiers, milk-face?”

“The English army, my King. They have …….”

“Juggernaut? I feared not that. The Man-Suits are capable of handling that threat.” MacBeth tossed the reports from his hands. “The day I will fear them will be the day I die.”

“Get your face out of here.” The King dismissed the servant.

“Seyton!” The King called on his loyal servant. “Make haste here.”

Seyton was an older man who served MacBeth when he was only an officer to the throne that he sat there.

“I’m sick at heart when I see …….” The King looked for his servant. He saw then the servant had arrived. Seyton had bouts of body pains due to age.

“Seyton, come here!” The King called out. “This battle will either secure my place forever or knock me from my throne. I have lived long enough. The path of my life now leads me toward withering and death, like a yellowing leaf.”

“Long live the Kingf.” Seyton said.

“You were with me long.” The King looked at the old servant. “I cannot hope to have those things that should be a part of old age, like honour, love, obedience, and loyal friends.”

The King saw Seyton nodded his head.

“Instead, men curse me, quietly but with profound hate; people honour me with words but not in their hearts. My heart would happily end my life, and yet does not dare to do it.”

“Seyton!” The King roared out. “Are you asleep?”

“Nay, my King. I am awake. What do you desire, your Lord?” Seyton still considered his care as the Lord instead King.

“Tell me, Seyton. Is there more news? Sad or bad?”

“All the rumours have been confirmed, my lord.” Seyton replied. “They have left you for the young prince.”

“I will fight until they hack the flesh off my bones. Give me my sabre.” MacBeth had travelled everywhere with his sabre. He had it with him since young, and many times, it had saved his life.

“If only …….” MacBeth thoughts sailed back to Banquo. They got their sabres the same day at the Academy,

“It is not needed yet.” MacBeth held the sabre offered. “I will put it on anyway. Send out more patrols. Search the entire country. Hang anyone talking of fear. Give me my reports now.”

Seyton excused himself and then the Healer appeared.

“How is your patient, Healer?”

“The Queen is not physically sick, my King but she is troubled with constant visions that keep her from sleeping.”

“Nightmares …… Cure her of that.” MacBeth was concerned on Elleanor. She had been unwell for some time.

“I will …….” The Healer was cut off by the King.

“Can you not heal a diseased mind? Remove from her mind the memory of sorrow? Eliminate the troubling thoughts from her brain, and use some sweet medicine to clean her chest of that awful stuff that weighs upon her heart?” MacBeth was getting agitated.

“For that kind of relief, the patient must heal herself.” The Healer was explaining the solution.

“Throw physic to the dogs; I will have none of it.” MacBeth then called for Seyton.

“Give me my reports, Seyton, and send out ……… the rest. Healers and Thanes.”

“Hold there, Healer who was still standing there. Find her disease, and purge her to a sound and pristine health, I would applaud thee to the very echo of the glens. Pull it off, I say ……. And what rhubarb, senna, or what purgative drugs? Just do it.”

“My Lord, the Thanes ran from us.” Seyton reported then. MacBeth ignored the other and walked off.

 

The Highland Tale; The King Act Five Scene Two Sub Act One

 

NAY TO MACBETH

ACT FIVE

SCENE TWO

SUB ACT ONE

 

Tyranny ends with rebellion on the King. MacBeth was losing the alliance that he once craved. The nobles and Thanes are divided in their loyalty; with most towards the coming King named Malcolm.

“He is the right one to be King. Duncan had said it then.”

“The exiled prince returned home.”

There were also the ones who did not agree.

“The bonny lass brought the English to our land. My paddy if he is alive will not toast to that.”

“Who sides the English is as good as dead to me.”

Delight or sadness, the land was divided and all the fingers pointed to one; the King.

“He is a tyrant. He had ruled with the iron fist and killed many of our own.”

Gone was the praise to the once beloved General of the Highlands.

“I say we meet the English with our own force. We are to tell them that we are equally as strong.” It was the voice of the ex-Adviser, Lennox. He had changed his loyalty to the people then; as he had declared. He was in the gathering of the Thanes and nobles who were against MacBeth.

“Wee, I am not going to let them fight our war here.” One of the nobles voiced out. “We hold thousands too in the army.”

“I am no feartie (Coward in Scottish).” Another soldier called out.

“Neither am I cladhaire (Coward in Irish).” The one standing by the soldier called out.

“You are not of us.” One of the gathered who fought the Irish glared at the one who called out in Irish.

“I am, anyway half the blood. My mother is Irish.” The Irish half spoke. “But I lived here and pay my taxes too.”

“Say none to my cousin or I will have you ‘pog mo thoin’ (Scottish for ‘kiss my a…’) here.” The cousin of the Irish half defended his kin.

“Enough infighting, lads. We are gathered here to fight only one other named MacBeth.” Lennox cuts in. He then looked at two nobles who was near him. He knew they held the strength of three hundred soldiers and a dozen Man-Suits. Other nobles had arrived to reinforce the army to a strength of five thousand.

“Other Thanes are assembling their army to join us.” Lennox was told.

“We shall equal the English in strength soon.” Lennox looked to the gathered. “Menteith and Caithness, where is Malcom now?”

“The English army is near, led by Malcolm, his Uncle Siward of Northumbria, and the good MacDuff. The prince returned with force.” Menteith replied. “The desire for revenge burns in them. Their reasons for wanting revenge would cause even dead men to rise and rush to battle.”

“Aye!” The shouts went out.

“Dead they are not, but fierce to the cause in their hearts.” Another called put.

“Where do we march to?” One noble asked.

“We will meet them near Birnam Wood. That is the way they are coming.” Caithness voiced out. “Does anyone know if Donalbain is with his brother?”

“Sir, it is certain that he is not.” Lennox cut in. The Irish are not at war with them but the old disputes remained unresolved. “I have a list of all the important men. Lord Siward’s son is there, as well as many boys too young to even have beards who are ready to proclaim their manhood in battle.”

“They sent us lads. Indeed, we need to teach them how to fight.” Caithness voiced out. Both Menteith and Caithness are seasoned soldiers and led their own men into battles.

“What is the tyrant MacBeth doing?” Menteith asked.

“He is fortifying his castle at Dunsinane with strong defences. Some say he is insane. Those who hate him less call it noble fury. One thing is certain: he cannot control himself or his anger.” Caithness reported in.

“MacBeth feels the blood from his secret murders of the King to his hands.” Lennox voiced out to all. When the rebellion broke out, the words of the King’s misdeed surfaced and more was revealed by the survivals.

“Now, each minute, rebel armies punish his treachery. The soldiers that the man commands are just following orders. They do not want fight for him out of love. Now his Kingship seems to hang loosely on him, as if he is a dwarf trying to wearing the robes of a giant.”

“Who can blame him for acting twitchy and jumpy, when everything inside him condemns itself for what it’s done?” Menteith added.

“Well, we march on to give our loyalty to the man to whom it is truly owed. We go to meet Malcolm, who is the medicine that will cure our sick country. And with him we will pour out all our own blood to heal our nation.” Caithness voiced out.

“Or as much as we need to water the royal flower of Malcolm, and to drown the weed that is MacBeth. Let’s march to Birnam.” Lennox smiled.

The call of the drums heard in the hills roused the gathered.

 

Tony and Cleop Act One Scene Three Sub-Scene One

Act One

Scene Three

Sub-Scene One

WTF

 

Iras rested her arms on the soft cushion with her lower body arched up. She loved that position, for it gave her the best pleasures. More so when the one doing the moves was Mardian. He was huge in the needed anatomy and lasted longer than most. You could tell when they fell to the side from their exertions, but not Mardian. He was a monster machine built for the task. The other consolation was that he would not leave a load for you to worry over if you did miss the cycle of the month.

He is missing his testicles.

“Yes... I am almost there.” Iras moaned out. She longed for some hands to grab her swinging breasts, but Charmian was attending to the Queen while Alexas was serving the wine. Well, someone had to be doing the other chore then.

“Where is he? Where is the man?” Cleop pushed Charmian off her lower body. “Mardian, I asked the question.”

Iras felt the stop in the thrust by Mardian. She knew he was hurt when the Queen called out for the man. He was still a man in every aspect, but his missing appendage made him at times inadequate. She felt more of the discomfort, for she was on the verge of getting her release.

“Where is he?” Cleop called out again. She then sat up and crossed her legs. Alexas rushed over and placed the silky wrap over the Queen’s shoulders.

“I have not seen him recently.” Charmian, who sat up, replied to the Queen. She then pulled on the tunic over her naked body. “We do not know.”

“Find out where he is, who he is with, and what he's doing. If he is with any of the other maids, bring her here. I will flog her till she pleads for life from me.” The Queen told Alexas. The maid turned to leave and was stopped when the Queen gave her more instructions.

“Do not tell him I sent you. Just see where he is. If you ask for me... Just tell him I am happy if he looks sad. If you see that he is happy, tell him that I have gotten sick. Tell him I am bleeding. Go quickly and come back.” Cleop told Alexas.

“My Queen, shall we resume?” Charmian looked to the Queen.

“No, I am not in the mood anymore.” Cleop looked at Mardian. “He is also not in the mood. Go away, Mardian. I will call you if I need you. And take Iras with you. She looked like she needed a better fuck.” 

Mardian nodded and pulled Iras up. They went out together, leaving Charmian the Queen alone.

“Shall I get you a drink, My Queen?” Charmian asked.

“Get one yourself. Your tongue tasted dry.” Cleop told the maid. Charmian poured herself a drink and then spoke to the Queen.

“My Queen, if I may. If you love him so much, then you're not acting in the right way to get him to reciprocate.” Charmian said.

“What should I be doing that I'm not doing?” Cleop looked at the maid. “I have done everything that he wanted. He had penetrated every orifice I could offer. Or do you think I will have to invite you in to make it more pleasurable for him? Or Mardian should come in too. They could compare pricks like young kids.”

“I did not mean that, my Queen. You are what he desired most. There may be other matters in which he wants his own way. Do not oppose him there.”

“You fool, you are telling me the best way to lose him.  Cleop was upset.

“Do not test him so much. I was to say let him loose on his own. Often, we end up bringing about the very thing we are afraid will happen, and we hate it when we do.” Charmian sighed. She had lost her first love, thinking that he would stay with her if she gave in. She did as it was requested, but he still found solace in another.

It was then that Mark entered the chamber unannounced.

“My God.” Mark saw the half-clothed Queen, who had then pulled some cover over her nudity.

“I can guess what happened here. I saw Mardian pulling Iras to the quarters.” Mark looked at Charmian and then back to Cleop. “Have you not enough?”

“I am sick and out of sorts.” Cleop replied before she turned towards Charmian. “Leave us now.”

The maid took her leave while Mark stood there. The Queen spread her legs and pulled away the cover, but Mark was not interested.

“I am to tell you what I came to tell you: that I am leaving for Rome.” Mark was having difficulty speaking the words while his stare was on the Queen. Cleop heard him and clasped back her legs. She called out, then, for her maid. 

“Help me away, dear Charmian! I am unwell. I cannot last much longer. This body of mine is no longer mine.”

“Now, my dearest Queen... Cleop.” Mark leaned down to hold her, but Cleop pushed him off.

“Please …… Do not touch me. Please stand further away from me.”

“What is the matter? Are you ill?” Mark stood up.

 

 

 

 

  

The Highland Tale; The King Act Five Scene One Sub Act Two

 

GUILT BITES

ACT FIVE

SCENE ONE

SUB ACT TWO

 

Lady Elleanor leaned forth to wipe at the table.

“Yet there is still a spot here.” The lady said. “There is another. It must not be seen.”

“Listen!” The Healer whispered. “She is talking. I will write down what she says, so that I will remember it.”

The lady was seen wiping the table.

“Come out, damned spot! Out, I order you! One, two. Now, it is time to do it.”

“Hell is murky! Shame on you, my lord, shame!” Lady Elleanor was referring to the one that should share her concerns. “Damn you, you are a soldier, and yet you’re afraid?”

“Why should we fear anyone who might know what happened, when no one can match our power? But who would have thought the old man would have had so much blood in him?” Lady Elleanor was ranting away,

“Did you hear that?” The Healer was scribbling away but unsure of what he heard.

“The Thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now? What, will my hands never be clean? No more of that, my lord, no more of that. You will ruin everything by acting in this startled way.” Lady Elleanor was shocked in learning of the death of the other lady. She asked MacBeth and he nodded.

“The child too?” Lady Elleanor had asked. The King nodded.

“I was not to control the situation. They acted as they thought best.” The King had replied. “It is war.”

“That was what you said of Banquo.” Lady Elleanor reminded the King.

“Fleance escaped as I was told.”

“If he had not, would you have him killed?” Lady Elleanor had ignored him for some days while she gave some thoughts to the dead lady and her son. It was not the first of the acts by the King but she was a woman to the land.

A woman still without the means to dictate but to be dictated.

A woman should always know her place.

But does the Queen needs to be?

“Oh no. Oh no!” The Healer mumbled. “I may had learned something I should not have.”

“Hush, Healer. She said something she should not have said. I am sure of that. Heaven knows what other secrets she has.” The maid sighed. “God protect me here.”

“Hush! The Queen speaks.” The Healer told the maid. The Queen was still at the table, wiping it the imaginary blood.

“My hands still smell of blood. All the perfumes of Paris will not sweeten the smell of my little hand.” Lady Ellenor cried.

“Oh, oh, oh!” The lady was moaning.

“What a sigh! Her heart is painfully weighed down.” The Healer said.

“I would not want a heart like hers in my chest even if I could be Queen.” The maid sighed.

“You will be fine.” The Healer assured the Maid with the sarcasm mode. “I think it will be.”

“Still your tongue, Ian Kinsey or it will your naughty times will be by your right hand.” The maid told the Healer by his name. “Then you can moan to God that all will be well, sir!”

“Be nice, Martha.” The Healer looked to the Queen. “This is beyond my skill level to cure this disease. Yet I have known people who walked in their sleep and died without sin.”

“Wash your hands. Put on your nightgown.” The Queen spoke. “Do not look so pale. I tell you again, Banquo is buried. He cannot come out of his grave.”

“Is it true?” The Healer uttered.

“To bed, to bed.” The Queen walked back towards her chamber. “There is a knocking at the gate. Come, come, come, come. Give me your hand. What has been done cannot be undone. To bed, to bed, to bed!”

The Queen exits the chamber. The Healer and maid stepped out.

“Evil rumours are circulating.” The Healer tried to make sense of the happenings. “Unnatural actions lead to unnatural troubles. Those with guilty consciences will confess their secrets to their pillows while they are asleep. I learned that in Psychology.”

“The Queen needs a holy priest, not a Healer.” The Healer sighed. “God forgive us all!”

The Healer then looked at the maid.

“Martha, look after her. Remove any thing she could use to hurt herself, and even keep watch over her. Now, good night.” The Healer addressed the maid by her name.

“I guess I would not have to diddle you to sleep then.” Martha mocked the Healer.

“I dinna think so. She has shocked my mind and amazed my eyes. I have thoughts about all this, but do not dare to say them out loud.” The Healer sighed.

“Good night, good Healer. Keep your thoughts warm and the hands warmer.” Martha smiled. “I know I would.”

 

 

 

The Highland Tale; The King Act Five Scene One Sub Act One

 

SLEEP WALKING

ACT FIVE

SCENE ONE

SUB ACT ONE

 

One main trigger of Sleep walking is experiencing heightened or chronic stress. Some researchers have surmised that experiencing episodes of anxiety and anger throughout the day may increase the chances of Sleep walking in people who are prone to it.

The castle had its share of weird happenings from the ghostly sightings to the cries in the night or rather the howling of the dead. The guards were used to it. They could find their sharing to the Porter who was still serving the castle households for that long.

No one wanted the porter’s task.

However, the Healers had their shares of comforting the guests that were disturbed by those weirds happenings.

One was not the guest but the Queen.

“For two nights I have watched her with you, but I have not seen any evidence of what you have described. When did you last see her walk?” The Healer asked the maid. They were in the adjacent chamber to the Queen’s. He was told that the Queen was seen sleep walking.

“Sleep walking is a form of …… manifestation of the mind that may triggered the event …….” The maid replied.

“Shudder your diagnosis. I am the Healer here.” The other retorted back. “Since you reported to me, I had prescribed her the dosage to sleep.”

“Or a goblet of whiskey.” The Healer added on. “I heard of it but when did she started ……... walking?”

“Since the King went to war, I have seen her rise from her bed; put on her nightgown; unlock her closet; take out some paper, fold it, write on it, read it, seal it; and then return to bed again ………all while remaining fast asleep.”

“She sleeps alone? Does she not ……” The Healer asked.

“Not for some time now. She told me he wakes up at night, and it is not for a hump then, but in sweats from the nightmare.” The maid said.

“The King suffered from nightmares? How come I was not told?” The Healer asked.

“Well, if the King does not say, would you?” The maid replied. “He is the King and …….”

“I know. Many had abstained from telling lest they are removed for good.” The Healer sighed.

“It is deeply unnatural to be asleep and, and the same time, perform the actions of those who are awake. When she is in this state ……. besides walking and doing other things ………have you heard her say anything?” The Healer asked.

“I would not tell on my Queen.” The maid said. “There are noises which I am not privy to hear.”

“Come on, lady. I am not keen to know if he humped her to her completion or bemoan that he did not. I am only interested in the sleep walk events.”

“Yes, sir, but I will not repeat it.”

“You can tell me. I am the Healer. That would be the proper thing to do.”

“I would not tell you or anyone else without having another witness to confirm what I heard.” The maid said. It was then they saw the Queen entered. She wore her nightgown over her dress. She was also holding a candle; most unusual for there were switches to the lights.

“Look, here she comes! This is what she always wears, and …… the candle …… it is scary. I swear on my life—she is fast asleep. Watch her. Stay out of sight.”

The Healer and maid took to hide behind the curtains there.

“How did she get that candle?” The Healer asked.

“It stands by her bedside. She always keeps a light by her. She wanted the candle there. That is her command.” The maid replied. “You see, her eyes are open. Yet they do not see anything. I had followed her once.”

“What is she doing now? Look how she rubs her hands.” The Healer said.

“She does that a lot, as if she is washing her hands. I have seen her keep doing that for fifteen minutes.” The maid replied. “Hush, she speaks.”

 

 

 

 

The Highland Tale; The King Act Zero Scene Five

THE QUILT

ACT ZERO

SCENE FIVE

 

Guilt is a feeling of worry or unhappiness that you have because you have done something wrong, such as causing harm to another person: It is a moral emotion that occurs when a person believes or realizes …… accurately or not …… that they have compromised their own standards of conduct or have violated universal moral standards and bear significant responsibility for that violation. This can manifest in several ways, from sweating and trembling to sudden outbursts of emotion. Another sign to look for is a desire to deflect blame. A guilty person may try to shift the focus away from themselves and onto others, perhaps by making accusations or spreading rumours about someone else.

“I did not kill Duncan.” MacBeth woke up from his sleep. “I did not. He was dead when I saw him.”

MacBeth recalled that night, upon the words ……. No, it was influence of the lady ……. He had taken the journey to kill Duncan. He saw the guards asleep as said to him by Elleanor that they will be. He approached the bed and saw Duncan.

The King then was stabbed in the heart.

The King was dead.

“I have seen many deaths. I knew of one when I sees it.” MacBeth recalled his thoughts.

“Who had done it?” MacBeth was unsure. He wanted to raise the alert but who will they say done it. It was his castle and he was the host. He was responsible for the safety of his guests. He will be ……... ostracised and he …… will not be King. His prophecy will be fake.

“How could I had trusted the Angels? Banquo was right. They are not but demons in disguise.” MacBeth sighed. “I was stupid to think it was.”

MacBeth was uncertain. He looked to Duncan, and reckoned there was a way to make that work. He reached for the dagger and removed it. The dagger was bloodied and the blood from the dead King flowed onto his hand. He approached the guards and stabbed them too.

“There will be no witnesses.” MacBeth turned once more to look at the dead King. “Yes, the King is dead. I will tell them that.”

MacBeth went back to his chamber. He met Elleanor and told her of his deed.

“I killed Duncan. Here is the dagger.” MacBeth said.

“You should had left it with the guards. You fool. Now they will look for the dagger.” Lady Elleanor grabbed the dagger and went back to the King’s chamber. She was not one that was familiar with killing. She left the dagger onto the guards and returned to MacBeth.

It was a complete act of murders.

Or so it was assumed.

“My Lord, one of the guards is alive. He is wounded mortally.” MacBeth was told then by the servant. They were at the chamber where Duncan’s body was still laid on the bedding.

“Bastard!” The anger in MacBeth as befit that of a soldier took the final blow to kill the guard. MacDuff rushed over.

“Why did you do that? He could have ……”

“He killed the King. My King! I had to avenge the King.” MacBeth cried out. “I am the King’s servant. It is my duty.”

So, it was and for the brave action of MacBeth, he was praised by many of the nobles and Thanes.

 

The Highland Tale; The King Act Four Scene Three Sub Act Four

THE PENALTY OF LOYALTY

ACT FOUR

SCENE THREE

SUB ACT FOUR

 

“I know that face. He is from our land.” MacDuff smiled.

“He is dressed like a Highlander but I don’t know him.” Malcolm said, while MacDuff invited the other over to their table.

“My always noble kinsman, welcome.” MacDuff took the hand extended. “My prince, please welcome Ross of Cambria.”

“I recognize him now. Dear God, may you quickly change the circumstances that keep us apart!” Malcolm smiled. “Is the Highland as it has been?

“My prince.” Ross bowed to the other. “Our poor land, indeed! It is almost too scared to even recognize itself. Our Highlands is no longer our motherland. Its surroundings are marked by graves, and the welcome we once gaily offered are people who smile and says they know nothing. There may be sighs, groans, and shrieks that splits the air, but no one pays attention.”

“It is better not to get involved, or thy mortal life ends there. Where violent sorrow is a common emotion. When the funeral bells ring, people no longer ask who died. They already knew that good men’s lives are shorter than the time it takes the flowers in their caps to wilt. They die before they even fall sick.”

“Oh, your report is too precise and too true!” MacDuff sighed.

“What is the latest bad news?” Malcolm asked.

“Every hour brings new bad news. Every minute gives birth to some new bad thing.” Ross replied.

“How is my wife?” MacDuff had to ask.

“Oh …… She is well.”

“And my child?” MacDuff asked,

“He is well too.”

“Speak real, Ross. The tyrant MacBeth has not come after them?” MacDuff was disbelieving. “Do not be coy with what you are saying. What has happened?”

“I am unsure. When I left them to leave for safety, they were well. I had arranged their safety before I left but no words were returned to me. When I was to here, more news that has weighed me down, I heard rumours that many good men are armed and moving to fight MacBeth.”

“The tyrant was in danger of a revolt.  I knew the rumours were true when I saw MacBeth’s army on the move; they were seen marching around. They were at war on the land. Now is the time when we need your help.” Ross looked at Malcolm. “Your presence at home would inspire more men …… and women …… to fight against MacBeth’s tyranny.”

“Women?” MacDuff was still the rationalist in the gender contribution.

“Let them be comforted ……… I ……… We are returning to home. Gracious King Edward has lent us noble Lord Siward and ten thousand soldiers. No soldier is more experienced or successful than Siward in all of the lands.” Malcolm assured Ross.

“I wish I could respond to this good news with good news of my own. But I do have news that should be howled out into the sky of a barren desert, where nobody could hear it.” Ross looked at MacDuff. “It just arrived to me before we meet.”

“What is the news about? Does it concern everyone, or is it a grief belonging to just one person?”

“No honest man could stop himself from sharing in the sorrow, but my news relates to you alone.” Ross sighed.

“If it is for me, do not keep it from me. Quickly, tell me.” MacDuff got up and held his arms towards Ross.

“Cousin, I hope your ears would not hate my tongue forever for saying these things, the saddest news they have ever heard.” Ross had tears in his eyes.

“Oh no! I can guess what you are going to say.” MacDuff sat himself back.

“Your castle was ambushed. Your wife and children were savagely slaughtered. If I described their murders, it would kill you too, and add your body to the pile.” Ross cried out. “I just got to know just now. Merciful heaven!”

“Come, man, do not hide your grief. Put your sorrow into words. A grief that hides in silence will whisper in your heart and break it.” Malcolm comforted the other. “I had my father done the same, and I had grief.”

“My child too?”

“Beryl, your son, and your servants …… everyone they could find.”

“Take comfort. Let us make a medicine out of revenge to ease your dreadful grief.” Malcolm tried to assure the grieving man.

“He does not have any children. My son? The others too? Oh, hawk from hell! All of them? What, all these children and their mother killed in one deadly swoop?”

“Fight it like a man.” Malcolm called up.

“I will do that. But I must also feel it like a man.” MacDuff said. “I cannot help remembering those things that were most precious to me.”

“Did heaven just watch my family die, and refuse to help them?” MacDuff looked to the top of him. “Sinful Macduff, they were killed because of you! As wicked as I am, they were slaughtered not because of their own flaws, but because of mine. I should had taken with me. May they rest in heaven now.”

“Let all this sharpen your sword. Let grief become anger. Do not hold back your heart. Let it rage.” Malcolm was fighting the rage in him.

“Oh, I could weep like a woman while bragging about taking revenge!” MacDuff tears flowed then. “But, gentle heavens, cut short any delay. Bring me face to face with the devil of my land, so that he’s within reach of my sword. If he escapes, may heaven forego him there. He deserved Hell as his place!”

“Now you sound like a man. Come, we will go see King Edward.” Malcolm rallied his own men. “Our army is ready, and we can leave once we get King Edward's permission. MacBeth is ripe for the taking, with the powers above are armed and on our side. Take heart, as much as you can. A new day will dawn.”

“Aye.” MacDuff uttered.

  

The Highland Tale; The King Act Four Scene Three Sub Act Three

 

THE OATH OF LOYALTY

ACT FOUR

SCENE THREE

SUB ACT THREE

 

“Rise, MacDuff. I ……. command you.” Malcolm hesitated in his words. Duncan had told him many times; if you are to be King, you must be firm in your words, and command them if need be. The ones before you need to see the King’s ability to rule and lead.

MacDuff pushed himself up the seat while Malcolm sat there silently still studying him.

“I have been planning for the Highlands. I have spoken to other many nobles, and loyal Thanes. And other Kings, including Edward. The latter had been responding to the call.”

“In fact, before you got here, I was given the aid of a noble ……. old Siward, my apologies…... Lord Siward of Northumbria to you. He is an old soldier and with his command, ten thousand battle-ready soldiers including Man-Suits’ and their armoured vehicles, the Juggernauts; huge vehicles with heavy firepower. They are assembled here and will be setting out for our land.”

“Let me join you.” MacDuff said.

“You will. We will fight MacBeth together, and our chance of our success is as good as the reasons motivating us to act!”

“I ….” MacDuff uttered.

“Why are you having doubts?” Malcolm asked.

“It is hard to understand such a sudden change in your story. I have been on guard inside me for so long, serving under a tyrant, risking my life to come here, and having …….”

A Healer then came to their table. He was dressed as one and unmistakeably approached the prince.

“Well, we will speak more about this soon.” Malcolm assured MacDuff. He then faced the Healer.

“Do you seek me?” Malcolm asked.

“Yes, Prince Malcolm.  Have you seen King Edward?” The Healer asked.

“I am unsure. Why?” Malcolm asked.

“A wretched group of the sick wait for him to heal them. Their illness does not respond to the efforts of medicine, but when Edward touches them …… because of the sacred power given to him by heaven ……they are healed.”

“Thank you, Healer. I shall let the King knows if I sees him.”

The Healer exits.

“What disease does he mean? That the King could heal.”

“It is called the evil. Many a times during my stay in England, I have seen the good King Edward perform an incredible miracle. Only he can say how he prays to Heaven for these gifts. He cures people afflicted with this strange disease …… all swollen and ulcerous, pitiful to look at, and beyond the help of surgery …… by placing a gold coin around their necks and saying holy prayers over them. And it is said that he will pass on this blessed healing power to his royal descendants.”

“In addition to this strange power, he has the gift of prophecy, as well as various other abilities that mark him as a man full of God’s grace.” Malcolm smiled. “I held none of that.”

“Maybe King Edward is …...” MacDuff was a person of practical means.

“A Saint perhaps.” Malcolm cut in. “I see another of our kins have arrived.”

 

Tony and Cleop Act One Scene Two Sub-Scene Five

 

Act One

Scene Two

Sub-Scene Five

Rome A Home Away

 

“Fulvia….” Mark folded the letter from his wife. He was in grief over the loss.

“You are a great person; now you are gone! And yet, that is what I wanted. In our line of work, we felt scornful for those we were removing. We thought we were getting rid of something, but later we wished we could get it back. A life taken cannot be revived again.”

“What is pleasurable in the moment becomes less pleasant as time goes on and eventually becomes downright painful. As for my love for Fulvia, I once valued her, but now she's gone. Oh, God, I want her back, even though I was the one who wanted her gone. I am the accused here.”

“Cleop, yes, she made me this. I must break away from this enchanting Queen. My lying around lazily in Egypt will cause ten thousand problems, even more than the ones I already know about.” Mark was depressed. He saw the entry of his guard, Enobarbus.

“Did you call me, sir?" Enobarbus saw that the boss was in tears. “What do you want, sir?

“I must leave here quickly... now. Back to Rome.” Mark told the other.

“Why, that would kill all our women.” Enobarbus wanted to buy time for the other boys. Their stay may have been brief, but relationships had fostered for some. “Some may want to say goodbye. If we leave without saying goodbye, that unkindness may be fatal to them. They will die if we leave.”

“Then I will leave alone.” Mark told the other.

“I was stating a joke there, Boss. If it is necessary, then let women die... harlots they all are. But it would be a shame to kill them for nothing—even if it is true that we should treat them as worthless if they get in the way of our goals.”

“Boss, what about the Queen? She may... die instantly upon our leaving. Or suspected that you would leave. I've seen her die... I meant rage, like twenty times, for a much smaller reason. I think death must have some kind of sexual power that acts on her, because she is so quick to die... I meant rage.”

“Cleop is too cunning for any man to outwit. She will live without me.” Mark said.

“No, sir... now, The Queen, well, she does display her passions towards you. Much deeper are her passions; they are not any cunning performances; they arise from the best part of pure love. She loved you.” Enobarbus looked at his boss. “She... you cannot deny her storms and floods as sighs and tears. Her sighs and tears are bigger storms and tempests than any man could describe. It would be impossible for her to fake them. If they come from her scheming, then she must be able to control the rain like Jove.”

“What’s past is prologue. that everything that has taken place in the past is a preparation for the opportunities to come. Tempest Act 2 Scene 1 Shakespeare.) but I held no opportunity to put right the past here.” Mark sobbed into his hands. “I wish I had never met her!”

“Boss, did I miss something here? What happened?” Enobarbus was confused. Could the boss have taken a blow to his head? Or worse, his balls. “Did she scorn you or kick you out of bed?”

“It is Fulvia. She is dead.” Mark cried out.

“Excuse me? My lady is dead.”

‘Dead. Died. Dead yes. She will not tell me from what, but she is dead.”

“The lady is dead.” Enobarbus then understood the grief. He had seen both his wives die; the second was gunned by him when she was caught in bed with the tailor. He shot them in the head. He regretted it later, for his daughter asked for her mother, but he told the young lady that she was going to heaven to be with her lover.

“Lover, Dad?” The young lady asked.

“Yeah, the cat died last week. So, she is now with the cat.” Whoever names the cat ‘lover’ ought to die with a gunshot. The cat, however, died crushed by the wheel when she slept beneath the vehicle. It was a sordid event, but the lovers are all gone.

“When grief …... When Maisy died, I gave thanks to God. When God decides to take a man's wife from him, a man takes comfort in realizing that there are tailors on earth who can make a new robe when the old one is worn out. If there were no other women but Fulvia, then you would really have suffered a great loss, and your situation would be terrible. As it is, you have consolation for your grief. In exchange for your old clothes, you get new ones, and a new tailor. They need to take your measurements again. So, it makes as much sense to cry over losing Fulvia as to cry when you cut an onion.” Enobarbus bit his tongue then. He felt that those words may not be in the best of presentation in Egypt.

And Fulvia was no seamstress. She could not hold the needle well to pierce the thread through. She asked him several times to do it. ‘I cannot find the hole as well as you could’.

“Yes, she is dead. She has started some business in Rome that makes it necessary for me to return.” Mark looked at his loyal guard.

“I can understand that, Boss. But the business you have started here makes it necessary for you to stay here, especially on Cleop' business, which depends entirely on your presence. She had just sent East Side a warning not to cross over the street.”

“No more of these jokes. Tell the boys what I intend to do. I will let the Queen know why we must leave so quickly and get her permission to go.” Mark composed himself then.

“For Fulvia's death is not the only thing on my mind. There are other messages that tell me Rome needs me. Sextus Pompey has challenged Caesar's authority and commands the empire around the west territories there. He thinks the Sicilians will be good bedfellows compared to us.”

“Our allies are swayed by the move. Their services are like the waves on the sea; they ripple and then dissipate on the wall. Genous Pompey the Great, they named him, and all the accolades associated with it go to Pompey's son, who has a great name, great power, and even greater vitality and force. Now he acts like the boss of the bosses, and if his abilities go unchecked, he will endanger the whole arrangement of the empire. Many troubles are beginning to form that, right now, only have the potential for disaster. Tell the boys that I wish to leave here quickly.”

“Yes, Boss” Enobarbus turned to leave.

 

 

 

The Highland Tale; The King Act Four Scene Three Sub Act Two

 

THE TEST OF LOYALTY

ACT FOUR

SCENE THREE

SUB ACT TWO

 

“I do ……. I shall draw myself. Tell your wives, your daughters, your old women, and your young women could not satisfy the depths of my lust. My desire would overwhelm anything and everyone who opposed me. It is better that MacBeth rule rather than someone like me.”

“You belittle yourself,” MacDuff laughed. “Extreme lust can overwhelm a man, I may agree. It has caused the downfall of many Kings in previously happy Kingdoms.”

“Their fate was not told by their wives or they would have avoided it. They did not avoid it. They cherished it all.” Malcolm laughed.  “But do not be afraid to take the crown that is yours. You can satisfy your desires in secret, while still appearing virtuous in public.”

“You can hide the truth from everyone. The Highland has more than enough willing women. It is not possible that your lust could be so great that you had go through all the women willing to sleep with the King once they find out his interest in them.” MacDuff added.

“In addition to my lust, I’m also insatiably greedy.” Malcolm confessed. “If I were King, I had taken the nobles’ lands, steal the jewels of one, and take the house of another. And everything I took would make me hungrier to steal even more, until I had created unjustified arguments with my good and loyal subjects so that I could take their wealth.”

“This greed you describe is even worse than lust because it will not pass as you leave your youth, and it has led to the death of numerous Kings. But do not be afraid. The Highland has enough wealth that you will be satisfied, even by your own income alone. These bad qualities are bearable when weighed against your good qualities.” MacDuff said.

“I have no good qualities. I have none of the qualities necessary for a King ……. such as justice, truthfulness, moderation, consistency, generosity, perseverance, mercy, humility, devotion, patience, courage, and bravery. Instead, I am full of every type of sin, and each of those in a variety of ways. No, if I had power, I would take the sweet milk of peace and pour it into hell. I would destroy all peace, end all unity on earth.”

“Oh, my dear Highlands ……. Highlands!” MacDuff roared.

“If someone like me is fit to rule, tell me. I am exactly as I have described myself.” Malcolm looked hard at the other.

“Fit to rule? No, not even fit to live.” MacDuff sighed. “Oh, my miserable country, ruled by a murderous tyrant with no right to rule …… when will you possibly see peaceful days if your legal heir to the throne indicts himself as a cursed man and a disgrace to the royal family? Your royal father Duncan was a virtuous King. The queen your mother was more often kneeling in prayer than standing up, and lived a pious life. Goodbye. The evils of which you accuse yourself have driven me from Scotland forever. Oh, my heart, your hope ends here!”

MacDuff fell to his knees. Malcolm reached with his hands to bring the other up to the seat.

“I consider violence an uneconomical way of attaining an end. There are always better substitutes, though they may sometimes be a little less direct.” Malcolm said (Excepts from FOUNDATION by ISSAC ASIMOV.)

“The true wealth is the love of one’s people.” (Excepts from FOUNDATION by ISSAC ASIMOV again.) MacDuff remained on his knees. “Be true to your cause…. Be the King they wanted.”

“Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.” (Excepts from FOUNDATION by ISSAC ASIMOV again.) Malcolm rebuffed the other.

“Nothing good ever comes of violence.” (quote from Martin Luther) MacDuff sighed. “As a soldier, violence to myself is an extension of my oath to protect my people and land, and King. I can only ask for penance later.”

“MacDuff, these noble words can only be a product of integrity, and has removed from my soul the doubts I had about you, proving your honour and truthfulness to me.”

“I am baffled, young prince.” MacDuff still on his knees, looked to the one he had come to offer his loyalty. “Did you doubt me?”

“Rise, MacDuff. I heed your words, but the ruse of many had I met to get me back there. From the Highland nobles to the friends’, I once knew. They came, they met and they left; all with words sweeter than the nectar yet I found disbelief in their intentions.”

“I am not of them, my prince.” MacDuff swore on his loyalty. “You are Duncan’s appointed.”

“The true me is ready to serve you and our poor country.” Malcolm made his oath there.

“The devilish MacBeth has tried many plots to lure me into his power, so I must be cautious and not too quick to trust anyone.” Malcolm looked at MacDuff. “Many that included the friends of Duncan. I was wary and shall be there. But today God show your truthfulness now to me!”

“I will let myself be guided by you, and I take back all the terrible things I said about myself. All the flaws I described myself as having are in fact alien to my character. I have not slept with a woman yet, and I have never broken a vow.” Malcolm confessed. “I barely even care about my own possessions, much less what anyone else owns. I have never broken a promise and would not even betray the devil. I love truth as much as I love life. Those lies I talked about myself are false words I have ever said.”

“My prince, you are our hope at the Highlands.” MacDuff had tears on his eyes.

 

The Highland Tale; The King Act Four Scene Three Sub Act One

THE DOUBT

ACT FOUR

SCENE THREE

SUB ACT ONE

 

“I will tell ya here. The English pale ales display earthy, herbal English-variety hop character. Medium to high hop bitterness, flavour and aroma should be evident. The yeast strains used in these beers lend a fruitiness to their aromatics and flavour, referred to as esters.” The bartender at the counter explained to the Highlanders there.

“Whereas the Scotch ale, aye …… A tardy wee heavy, is a style of beer originating from up there in the Highlands; fermented with ale yeast. Generally low in bitterness with rich malt sweetness, the caramel-coloured beer often uses a pale malt base backed by darker malts. Though it can vary, many are comparable to English barley wine.”

“Argh …. Keep on the pour, Andrew. I bet your fart will smell the same.” The one seated at the right end of the counter hollered out.

“Keep your pansy on, Arthur.” The bartender called back. “Anyone else for the Pig’s Ears?” (Cockney slang for Beer.)

“I thinketh the two gentlemen here want their ‘gold watch’ (Cockney slang for Wine.)” The other end sounded out. “I can tell they are not these parts.”

“Collins, you are in as ‘Brahms and Liszt.” (Cockney slang for being drunk.) Another cut in.

It was too much to bear for Malcolm and MacDuff who had sneaked off to the local scene for a change.

“Let us find some private shady place where we can go and cry our hearts out.” Malcolm dragged the other to the corner where a table awaits them. They staggered over, and took their seats.

“Let us hold tight to our weapons, and defend our fallen country like honourable men.” MacDuff had one too many of the drinks was talking about the Highlands. “Each morning new widows howl and new orphans cry.”

“Aye.” Malcolm was not far from the state of being drunk then. “New sorrows fly up to heaven so that heaven itself echoes with the screams, and seems to feel the Highland’s pain.”

“I will avenge whatever I believe is wrong.” Malcolm belched then. “I will ……. I will believe whatever I know is true. And when the time is right, I will fix whatever I can.”

“Aye, spoken like the true son of the Highlands.” MacDuff helped himself to the goblet.

“What you have told me may in fact be true. This tyrant ……. The King there ……. whose mere name is so awful that saying it puts blisters on our tongues.” Malcolm spat the distaste from his mouth.

“I once thought to be honest. You and he were great friends. He has done nothing yet to harm you. I am inexperienced, but you could win MacBeth’s favour by betraying me and then offer me up to him like a sacrificial lamb to an angry god.” Malcolm was in his drunken state confessed his fear.

“I am not treacherous, Malcolm’s son of Duncan. I am and will always be to Duncan.” MacDuff spoke of his oath.

“But MacBeth is King. Even someone with a good and virtuous nature might give in to the command of this King.” Malcolm looked at the other. “Still, I beg your pardon. My fears do not change what you truly are. Angels are still bright even though Lucifer, the brightest angel, fell from heaven. Though everything evil tries to disguise itself as good, good must continue to look good as well.:

“Aye, my hopes are lost…... on that King.” MacDuff sighed.

“Perhaps you lost your hope in the same place I found my suspicions of you. Why did you leave behind your wife and child ……. the most precious things in your life that the strong bonds of love should motivate you to protect ……in that dangerous place, without even saying goodbye?” Malcolm asked. He saw the pained expression on MacDuff.

“I beg you, do not take my suspicion as an insult. I just must protect myself. You may truly be honest, no matter what I think.” Malcolm took on his words.

“Bleed, bleed, my poor country! Terrible tyrant, be comfortable in your position, because good people fear to confront you. Enjoy what you stole, because your title is safe!” MacDuff called out. He then turned towards Malcolm. “Goodbye, my prince. I would not be the villain that you think I am, even if I were offered all of MacBeth’s Kingdom and the wealth of the East as well. I would not be tempted.”

“MacDuff, do not be offended. It is not that I totally mistrust you. I agree that the Highland is sinKing under the King’s tyranny.” Malcolm was cautious with the other.

“The Highlands weeps, it bleeds, and each day a new injury is added to her wounds. I think, too, that many men would fight for me if I returned to claim the throne.” Malcom roared out. “England has promised to give me thousands of troops. But, for all this, when I have my foot on MacBeth’s head, or have his head on my sword, then my poor country will be in even worse shape than before. It will suffer more, and in more ways, under the King who succeeds MacBeth.”

“And who will be the next King?” MacDuff asked.

“I mean myself. I was the one Duncan’s had named. I know I have so many evil qualities that …… when they are exposed …… will make evil MacBeth seem pure as snow, and the poor Highlands will think of him as a sweet lamb in comparison to me and my infinite wickedness.”

“There is not a devil as cursed as MacBeth in all of Hell.” MacDuff cursed then.

“I admit he is violent, lecherous, greedy, deceitful, hot-tempered, malicious, and guilty of every sin that has a name.” Malcolm added. “God, he does not need any repentance. He holds no need for it. But there is no end …… absolutely none …… to my sexual sinfulness.”

“Oh, God. He is declaring himself awful.” MacDuff cried out.