Coriolanus Act 4.4.1

Scene 4.4.1

Antium

Coriolanus had never visited Antium in its peacetime. He had invaded Antium twice in the last wars. Despite the siege and bombardment, the people in Antium had learned how to endure and rebuild their homes. When Coriolanus reached there, after a reflective moment in the forest again after his encounter with the old man, he found himself awe by the city. It held no historical sites unless you consider grave yards are of importance; then it housed many heroes of Antium. It had however three beautiful bridges that crossed the river Antium which where it adopted the name. The south side of the city was before the river, and was the focus of the war. The people of Antium held their own for over three months fighting door to door with the Romans, before they were forced to retreat across. They did so after they destroyed the two of the three bridges, leaving one which they defended with their lives. The war came to an end before the Romans could cross over but the damages were paramount on both sides of the river. With the end of the war, the Antium river soon became a highway of barges and ships which would transport the produce to the nearby ports or cities upriver. One of the two bridges was rebuilt and opened to the city, while the third was near to completion. The people of Antium always boasted that they have the best skills men in bridge construction.

There was one historical site that had survived all the wars; the statue of Athena in the main square on the south side of the city. Minerva was the equivalent in the Roman side. The Goddess was known as the Goddess of handicrafts and arts. She was also of wisdom among many others. She was also revered by some as the Goddess of War. Both Volsces and Romans held her in high esteem, and her temples were never looted or entered in the wars. Even the bombardment of the city left her temples aside from its barrage.

“A Godly city is this Antrium. The city that I made thy widows; many an heir of these fair edifices before the war. Have I heard groans and drop? None then its best that it’s stayed that way, or the wives with spits and boys with stones would slay me.” Coriolanus knelt at the foot of the temple after he had sneaked into the city. He came not for the sights but to sight one he had sought for weeks then.

Tullus Audifius.

“Save you, my son.” A priest of the temples reached out to Coriolanus shoulder. “You seem to be in pain.”

Coriolanus looked to the priest. He wore the robe and held the pendant of the goddess on his chest. He could have been God sent, but then, Coriolanus was in search of answers.

“I seek where great Audifius lies. Is he still in Antium?”

“He is, my son. He feasts the leaders of the states at his home this very night.” The priest replied.

“Which is the direction to his house?  I beseech you to show me.”

“This here before you.” The priest pointed to the simple double level structure just before the square. The structure was small compared to the larger surrounding ones and with its simple design; it was dwarfed in design and made obscure.  It had the Volsces designated windows with the intricate designs that adhered close to the swans. So were the doors. The Volsces has a fascination with swans.

“Oh my Gods, thy slippery turns of events. We were once enemies and now soon to be sworn friends with one heart, whose hours, bed and meals and exercise are still together as in love. Un-separable by the hour, whose passions may break the sleep to take one of other. My birth place had banished me, and with my love upon this enemy, I will enter. If he slay me, he does fair justice, if he give me way, I will do his country service.” Coriolanus swore to the Gods in the skies of his feelings then and of his commitment.

He will serve whoever receives him.

Coriolanus Act 4.3.3

Scene 4.3.3

The quiet rooms of Martius

Coriolanus hologram played on the bosom of Virgilia. It was one of the novelties that the Nobles lady induced in when their men are at war. They grabbed these vids of their lovers and had it recorded to be played in the privacy of their room. Unlike the others which were more graphics, Virgilia’ vids of Caius was during his time with the son and when he was with her. He had disagreed to be recorded but she had her ways during their early months of marriage. She held the upper hand to his lust and with that she could command his will.

“I pledge my privacy to you, but I stand by my stand never to reveal more than my upper body to it.” Coriolanus was a puritan in the thoughts. He was that except when beneath the covers, he was a demon in the making. He was relentless in his needs and cared not for any excuses or feigning excuses to be let off. It was all fun then, until she was carrying his child. He came in that night soon after the announcement to tell that he was being posted to the base for training. She agreed to let him go but he must have her one that night so that she could remember.

“No, Virgilia. I cannot do such. You must be preserved for the child’s sake.” Caius had declined her advances. “Its mother’s advising to us.”

That was the start of her nightmare in her marriage life. She was soon to feel in between them was the older lady who held the key to their marital bliss. She could only Caius with her in the room, and once outside, he was her mother’s son. Even when Caius junior came to live with them, the young baby was soon absorbed by the older lady. The mother of her husband had offered to take care of Caius Junior, while she was to breed him more.

But the lust was not the same. It was only sex then on. Caius was onto her, but she was only compliant like a whore. Her payment was the marriage and son. When he was not around, she had her own escape of selfish sex. It helped her clear the frustration she had for Caius.

“Mother!” Virgilia heard her son scream. She jumped off the bed and reached for her dressing gown. She slipped it on and then turned off the vid machine. She kept it hidden back in her drawer before she stepped to the room door. It was locked which was why Junior could not come in.

“Junior, what is wrong?” Virgilia held her son into her arms when she had admitted him into the room.

“It’s grandmother. She wants me to enroll to the army training camp. I told her I would go when father comes back to fetch me there.” The young boy was of the age to get enrolled but he did indicate before he would only go if his father takes him there. He said with his father leading him, the academy would know of his status.

“Its okay, Junior. I will speak to grandmother.” Virgilia told her son and then saw the older lady walking towards them. She was not alone but with her lover, Menenius. That old charmer was more open with his visits then since Caius had left the house. Before this and even during the war, he was more discreet with their rendezvous in the late hours of the night and the exit before dawn, but of late, he had even appeared at supper to breakfast. She knew of his exploits; Lady Valeria was in the long list but that lady was in the long list of many others too.

“Virgilia, would you be more decent?” Lady Volumnia remarked at her son’ wife in her dressing gown which was to her intimate and should be only seen in the room. Menenius gave out a low cough and excused himself down the stairs. 

Virgilia stood up and adjusted her gown before she reached for the door.

“Junior, I would like to …” Lady Volumnia words were greeted by the door of the room closing on her. She was upset but since she had a guest in the house, she would not take it up then. She went down the stairs and met the old charmer in the library. She walked in and stood beside him.

“She is becoming more impudent by the days since Caius departure. Her earlier behavior when he was at war could be termed as bearable, but of late, she had become a rebel.” Lady Volumnia heaved in her breath on completing her words. Menenius reached out with his hand to held her’ and when whispered.

“She misses her husband like you do for your son. I am sure Caius is alright. He just needed some time alone before he comes back. We would then mass up a front which would topple those other Consuls.” Menenius smiled. “Vengeance would be ours.”

“How fare your spies that you send to watch over him?” Volumnia asked.

“They reported that he is doing well.” Menenius lie through his teeth like how he did with his role as Consul. He will say whatever was needed for the ears. Volumnia then walked off to the fireplace where her husband hologram was hovering above. She did missed him, and all those years, she had maintained some form of celibacy but when her son was married, she summoned her own courage to look for a new lover. Maybe it was coincidence or fate, Menenius appeared in her life. Initially, it was the late suppers and then she yielded. Soon she got used to the snoring and then presence of waking up to a man in her bed.

“Menenius, I need some personal rest tonight. Please go home.” Volumnia sighed. “Your home.”

Menenius nodded and took his leave. He had been with the lady since her son had left. It was not his intention to be there most of the time but she was insistent. She had mentioned of her fear if the Commoner would come to the house. She had quoted insecurity and lack of courage. He had agreed and from then, he became a household member until that evening.

Volumnia sighed in relief. She had enjoyed the company of the old charmer but of late, she felt cramped. With her daughter in law then showing her some of the rebellious nature, she needed some breathing space to ease up on the pressure. She took the seat facing her husband hologram.

“You are a bastard!” Volumnia cursed at him. “Why must you marry me? Bastard!”

Coriolanus Act 4.3.2

Scene 4.3.2

A reflective journey

Coriolanus opened his eyes to the humming sounds of the forest. He stared into the canopy of leaves and braced himself for an assailant to descend on him, but there was none. It was all peaceful, no sentries and no blaster held close to him. He was alone, and in a world unlike the one he was used to for the last twenty over years. He turned his head to look at the trees and saw they were still standing tall but some had blaster marks on it. He remembered this place; it was one of the Volsces outposts which they had surprised during a routine patrol. It was early dawn when the eight man patrol led by him attacked the twenty over Volsces still in their tents. They had removed the two sentries with throat cuts, and then the silent setup of the cross fire to ensure no Volsces could escape. It was a massacre with none of his men suffering any wounds. He recalled Cominius telling him; if only we could lay such attacks we would be back before the winter season starts.

It was then and with the war over, the forest had reclaimed its position of peace and abundance of small creatures that came to feed on the nature offerings. Coriolanus then recalled he had little of his own offerings; living off the grid took toll on him with his limited supplies. He was not armed with any blasters but a dedicated dagger, and that was no hunting tool when the creatures of the forest are wiser from the years of hunting. He need to find more food, and if he recalled well, he was then in Volsces land.

Coriolanus had done more than three months of wanderings, but the initial walk through his own land was marked with violence and distaste of the Commoners. The words had traveled fast to them, on his disgrace and hell awaits him on the journey. When he came by the towns or villages, the folks there lined up to spat or throw their litters at him. He asked for protection from the local enforcers but none approached him. Nobles of his own breed shuttered their windows and doors to his pleas.

Coriolanus was a bastard in his own land. He was made to plea for his needs. Some men; braver than others or fools in the making rushed at the trained soldier to rain their anger on, but with the single ones, he could fight, but when a group comes forth, he chose to run for fear of his life. Nothing would have angered him more than the ladies who bared their bosoms to him and called him a ‘child killer’.

“I won’t have you suckle mine when you taken what was mine.” The ladies taunted him. Even his wife image was given morphing of indecent acts that revolted him. He felt all the shame bellowed by them, and choose to divert his journey to the forest. There he found peace and ease of movements.

It was in the end of the first month, he found the battle site of his, and from there he trailed the path of the war till that morning. He had seen the carnage of the war, the destruction of its produce, and above all the unmarked graves. He recalled a few which he had personally dug to bury the ones he had befriended. There was one event which he recalled vividly. It was on the wall of a village home, and read; “CAIUS, you murderer.” Murderer? Me? He recalled he was no murderer. He may have killed many but murder was never his intention. He killed as a soldier called to duty to defend his country. He only killed when ….needed. Coriolanus paused in those thoughts then. He looked to the graffiti and spat at it.

“You are the murderer of my name. You were never a soldier. You don’t know what we are to do, but you murdered our soldiers because we are defending our land.” Coriolanus cursed at the one who wrote those words. He had wished then he had actually killed that bastard. He looked to the village home and stormed in. It was empty but he tore it regardless. He was upset that he was branded a murderer. He saw the family photo on the living room mantle. It was a simple Volsces portrait of the parents and their only son.

“Bastards!  Like the Commoners. You fashioned your thoughts just to blame the Nobles.”

Since that day, he had taken to avoid the battle sites or villages. He had kept his wandering deeper into the forest. With his supplies low, he needed to find replenishment or hunt. He was doing that the last week, but his dagger was like a blunt needle trying to sew a dress. He must find some villages to get food. With that, Coriolanus pulled him up and staggered into the general direction where he might find food. Soon he did at the edge of the forest, when he eyed a solitary house. It was an old rickety wooden hut with a front porch and the chimney was smoking. He made his way to the house and was greeted by an old man with his walking stick.

“Ain’t seen anyone for ages since the war?” The old man leaned back on his chair by the dining table while Coriolanus wolfed down the servings. The old man had lived alone since his wife died a year ago. He had lived off the land and hunted for his meat. He was friendly and offered food to the starving man.

“Are you a soldier?” The old man suddenly asked. He did not wait for the reply and continued on. “I was too. Second Armored Division, but we got wiped out soon after. I was one of the remaining ones, which managed to escape. I took off before the Romans came looking for survivals. I hid out at the forest and then came back here. The old lady was still here…”

“Hum…” Coriolanus mumbled with his mouth full before he reached for the home brewed drink. The old man stopped talking while Coriolanus took his drink. “Was she alive?”

“My old lady was still alive and kicking. She had defended the house with her own weapons of pitch fork and kitchen knives.” The old man laughed. “No one would harm her with her age and limping left leg. She was unhurt but shaken at times by the atrocities of those who came. They may be Romans or Volsces, not all of them are kindly but I was thankful no one killed her.”

Coriolanus had lost interest in his food. He had his filled and recalled his own atrocities then. It was war which he defended himself, but there were times, he had done worse things that a person could do to one another. The torture for information on the Volsces was the worse but a needed exercise. He swore to himself, he did not bow to the point of degrading himself on any Volsces, but there were some of his men who were Commoners who did that. Yes, it was the bastards Commoners who knew no decency of rights.

“How did she die?” Coriolanus asked when he recalled his own wife. He felt sad that all these years of marriage, he had never enquired on her love for him, besides her devotion as wife and mother, and daughter in law to his mother.

“She stepped into a mine.” The old man sighed. “It was there for months, and she had to step there.”

“I am ….sorry.” Coriolanus brought himself to utter those words.

“Sorry, never be.” The old man replied. “We did not start the war. It was the ones who sit behind the people who called for it and moved us to the front. We are the fodders of the country. Yours and mine…”

“Mine? You knew I am a Roman?” Coriolanus stepped up from his chair.

“Aye, I knew from the moment you sat down. Colonel Martius. You may hide your face with the dirt and beard, but in the war, we all looked like that. I recalled your face in Corioli.” The old man replied. He then motioned with his hand to Coriolanus. “Sit down, sir. There is no more war now. We are friends once again. I care not for the country lest than its ambition.”

“But I am …” Coriolanus was being cautious and wary of the old man.

“Roman, Volsces, Gauls, whoever. Commoners, Nobles, and even slaves.” The old man laughed. “We are all blood and 

flesh, but we were told to be different. Your Nobles told you so that they can be Nobles. Mine are different; we are one and yet we held the others outside of our borders as …others. Undeserving ones to be with us. It’s all in the mind of the ones who planted it there. We were the fools to live with their mindset.”

“No….No….” Coriolanus stepped back. His hand went for the dagger, but he did not draw it. “We …are different.”

The old man stood up and used his walking cane to balance himself before he replied,

“All men are equal, they said, but we stand on different levels of the ground.” The old man told Coriolanus. “You had your fill and may leave now. I think we stood on different levels for now but I hoped one day you will see mine at the same height.”

The old man walked to the bag that he had filled.

“On your journey in Volsces land, you may need to have food. These are the ones I could spare. Please take it and leave. I will retire to bed now.” The old man left Coriolanus alone in the living area.

“I…” Coriolanus mumbled but he could not move. He felt in him anger like when he was at war; when he was confronting the Commoners, like when he was to be Consul. But then inside him, he also felt a sense of emotions to those words spoken by the old man.

Maybe the old man was right but he needed time to think.

“Mother, where art thou?” Coriolanus mumbled once again.

Coriolanus Act 4.3.1

Scene 4.3.1

A Highway between Rome and Antium

The last war between Volsces and Roman had erupted on the borders with two battle fronts. The Volsces had moved fast with their armored vehicles. They override the border outposts and rolled over the defenses. The border guards were no match for the regular army of Volsces. The Romans retaliated fast with their superior armors, but the Volsces had their planned strategies. It was just the blunder of logistics to send the supplies not as per schedule. Those blunders caused the Romans to regain their land. It was that blunder which concentrated the war in some locations. The war became an armored attack battles with both sides wrecking each other. The location of the battles was littered with burnt armors with unmarked graves for those who were lucky to be buried. After the war, the race for the salvagers to come in and reclaimed the scraps. Among the salvagers were also the spies that were to pick on anything that could be used for the country’s technology. Even the Volsces have made some advances in tracking of terrain. It was a valued technology.

The location which we were looking at was a section of the highway where a border outpost had stood. It was more of an uncompleted building then after having undergone a barrage of shelling by the Volsces. The salvagers have not arrived there yet, but there was a vehicle carried the logo of a salvager. The person who stepped out was dressed like one but he had a shoulder holster with a blaster there. He picked up the vid-cular to scan the surrounding areas.

“I know you well.” The voice came from the rear of him. He turned to look, and saw the bearded man in the overall but the other person was carrying a rifle. He was wearing a Roman insignia cap.

“You know me, Volsces. Your name is Adrian.” The Roman lowered his rifle. “The war is over, and we could speak easy.”

“It is so, Sir. Truly, I have not forgotten you.” The Volsces smiled. “You did look better than as a Volsces.”

The other was a Roman who impersonating a Volsces when he met the so named Salvager.

“I am a Roman, and my services are as you are, against them. Know you me yet?”

“Nicanor? No?” The Volsces scratched his chin. He did shave his chin that morning, removing his itchy beard so he resembled a Volsces general outlook.

“The same, Sir.” Nicanor smiled.

“You had more beard before. What’s the news in Rome? I have a note from the Volscian to meet you here. You have saved me a long wait.” Adrian looked at the double agent. He disliked double agents; they are unknown of their loyalty to either side, except their own side.

“There been in Rome strange insurrection; the people against the Nobles and Consuls.” Nicanor explained.

“Had been? Is it ended? Our state does not think so. They are in a warlike preparation, and hope to come upon them in the heat of their division.” Adrian replied.

“The main blaze of it had passed, but a small thing would make it flame again. The Nobles receive so to heart the banishment of the worthy Coriolanus. They are in the ripe to take all their power from the Commoners. This lies glowing and it’s almost mature for the violent breaking out.”

“Coriolanus banished...” Adrian was surprised. He had heard the hero was making Consul.

“You are welcome to the news.” Nicanor stood there. “The day serves well for them now. The fittest time to corrupt a man’s wife is when she fell out with her husband. Your noble Tullus Aufidius will appear well in these wars, his great oppose, Coriolanus, being now in no request of his country.”

“He cannot choose.” Adrian wanted to cut the meeting. “We best be going.”

“Have you an army ready?” Nicanor asked out. That was why he was waiting. He was looking to work for the winning side.

“Oh, a most loyal one. The armors are repairing and added in the new enhancements.” Adrian gloated and worked up a 

grand army that may not exist. He had been salvaging scraps more than technologies. “We may just win the next war.”

“I am joyful …for you.” Nicanor handed out his hand. Then Adrian recalled the promise of cash.

“You take my part from me and I am glad of yours.” Nicanor reached for the pack in his pocket. 

Coriolanus Scene 4.2.1.

Scene 4.2.1

The quarrel on the street

Sicinius and Brutus had taken an audience view of the farewell party. Brutus was glad that the charade was over. He had played the role to portray that hero into a villain. It was all part of the working of theirs to win votes and also to quash the new champion. They had done it before with subtle treachery means but with Coriolanus, they had to resort to the direct approach. It was not planned, but an act of impromptu that had escalated to the near boiling moment of a civil war. 

A war which they hoped would not have come to real war for they had just survived one other with the Volsces. The emotions were high and the ambers of the fire were stroked to fuel it. They were lucky the arrogant bastard had played to their game and got himself cornered.

Coriolanus was banished.

Brutus breathed in a deep pull.

Thank the Gods it was all over.

Rome was free once again.

That last statement he smiled to himself.

Rome would never be free until the people of Rome learned to live like Romans.

One Roman’s for One Rome.

“Bid them home, he’s gone and we will proceed on. The Nobility, we have vexed those who had supported him.” Sicinius intruded into Brutus thoughts.

“Now we have shown our power, let us be seen humbler after this than appeared as if it was doing.” Brutus was calling for remedial actions. He felt embarrassed to go the extent of separating the son from his father, son from his mother, husband from his wife, a devoted Roman from his country. That last bit was lame. Coriolanus departure was his own doing, and not because he loved Rome. He loved himself too much as a Noble.

“I think not.” Sicinius motioned to Brutus. “She’s coming.”

Brutus saw the arrival of the ladies and the charmer of the Consuls. Sicinius pulled Brutus to get away, but Brutus was edging to hear the ladies.

“They said she’s mad.” Sicinius replied. He had heard tales of the older lady. The servants of the Noble household area talked freely among themselves. Some of their tales are made believe but the true ones are passed more freely. One of it was on the lady name Volumnia. They had named her the Witch, but her power was not of magical spells but the influencing ones. She had coaxed it from the Generals and Consuls, and with her influences. They said she was in association with the Gods of Hades.

“She had her dark notes of all in the Consul….” Sicinius was interrupted when Volumnia called out to him.

“You are well met, the hoarded plague of the Gods requite your love!” Volumnia raised her voice towards the two there. Menenius tried to caution the lady to be more subtle.

“Peace, my lady. Peace...” Menenius pleaded. He had just seen a conflict had ended and would not see another erupt before he had his rest. We, the Consuls, are always creating conflicts but in between we needed some respite.

“So that you could hear some weeping! Nay, and you shall hear some.” Volumnia glared to the tormentors of her son. 

“You shall stay. I would if I had the power to say so to my husband….. and son.”

“Are you of …” Sicinius tried to mock her, for the ladies of Rome were mostly husband compliant.

“A fool? Is that a shame? Note this, you fool. My family was all men. You had banished the last one that struck more blows for Rome than house spoken words.” Volumnia glared at the Consul. “His father, and him had more noble blows than those wise words you ever spoke.”

“What then?” Sicinius had lost his control. He confronted the elder lady and then at the younger one. It was Virgilia emotions which came out.

“What then?” Virgilia held back the words she had on her tongue. She composed herself and uttered more ‘ladylike’ words. “He would make an end of thy posterity.”

“Bastards and all.” Volumnia uttered her profanities. “Good men they were. The wounds they bear for Rome.”

“I would he had continued for his country and not knitted himself to be a Consul.” Sicinius finally voiced out his real motive. He had feared Coriolanus would take over their influence on the Commoners. “I would he had ….”

“I would he had! It was you incensed the rabble that judges his worth. Like the mysteries which heaven forbids earth to know...?” Volumnia cursed under her breath. She had heard more things that ever leaked to the Commoners would create a revolt.

“Let us go.” Brutus had heard enough. 

“Sir, get you gone. You have done a brave deed. Take my prayers with you.” Volumnia spat out her words. “I would, the Gods had nothing else to do but to confirm my curses.”

Her audience gone, but still seen a distance away but her fury was still inside her.

“Could I meet them, but once a day it would unclog my heart of what lies heavy to it.” Volumnia continued on. Menenius approached the lady and held her hand.

“They are gone. Come and have supper with me.” Menenius sighed that it might all end then. He wanted to go home and take his rest. 

Coriolanus Scene 4.1.2

Scene 4.1.2

The Gates at Rome border

Coriolanus got off the civilian vehicle that drove him and his small entourage of send off party. There was Volumnia in her finest three piece suit, with the wide hair and the matching veil over her face. Virgilia had followed with her own version of the three piece suit with a fedora hat while her son was in his finest army ceremonial suit complete with polished shoes. Menenius and Cominius had arrived earlier in the official sedan vehicle, complete with personal guards. 

The gate there was called the Main Gate to the city, but they are there to see someone leave. The Audile had the enforcers cleared the gate area by a wide radius to avoid any Commoners who may decide to bury the banished there.

“Come, leave your tears; a brief farewell to the beast.” Coriolanus dressed in his battle fatigues but he kept on a dark jacket over his shoulders. He have removed the army ranks and insignia and kept on a beret over his head. His cheeks were showing the day old stubble which he refused to shave for the occasion. He looked to his mother who stood there in a firm stance. Her eyes betrayed her emotions but she held it there behind her eye lids.

“Nay mother, where is your ancient courage? You used to say extremity was the trier of spirits; that common chances common men could bear; that when the sea was calm all boats alike showed mastership in floating. When fortune blows, when most struck home, being gentle wounded, craves a noble cunning. You were used to load me with percepts that would make me invincible the heart that would conned them.”  Coriolanus remembered the yachting with his parents when his mother would coach him. Her father was a sea faring Captain and so were her grandfather. She once told him, that nothing makes a man more than him alone on his yacht in the storm out at sea.

Virgilia could not hold her tears but her mother in law gave her the stares.

“Now the pestilence strikes all trades in Rome.” The older lady cursed out. Coriolanus smiled, and replied.

“I shall be loved when I am lacked. Nay, mother, resume that spirit when you were there then.” The son embraced his mother and then his wife. The later he held for a while but the third with his son, he shook the young boy’s hand before the salute.

“Where would you go?” The concerned mother asked. “Take Cominius with you. Determine some courses than a wild exposure to each chance in the way before thee.”

“Oh!” The wife beseech while she held tight to their son. Cominius took the cue to present forth.

“Oh, come now, Virgilia. He had not been home for months before.” The senior lady lashed out. “Be that office wife which you are now. Stand fast to his decision.”

Virgilia held back her emotions while the General cuts in. Coriolanus was undecided to hold his wife or stand there as if he was going on a training mission.

“I will follow thee a month.” Cominius was concerned that his long disappearance from the Consuls may erode his influence, unlike a war he comes back to garlanded, but a long excursion meant someone may usurp your rank. “We will established a communication line which you may contact us or us with you. I do not want you missing that we would search the world for you.”

Coriolanus smiled at the old General. To him, a war was partially won by communications with the correct commands but sometimes divisions may go rogue and reap more rewards that way. He had been on his own before, and won battles with it. It is not sometimes the strength of many but cunning self of one that could turn the outcome of a battle. He looked to his wife and child. They looked so sad, but when he saw his mother’s glare, he shuddered from approaching his family. He picked up his bags and turned to look at the road ahead. It was going to a long road. He then turned back to his family.

“Farewell, mother. Farewell all of you. There is Rome, and there is the rest of the world. I am on my journey to see those parts of the world.” Coriolanus turned to the road. It looked long and then it was tired, but many a times during the war, he had the same feeling but he went on. For then, he would resolved to do so and walked till death do come or his world uncovered before him. His eyes welled up but with his head held high, he walked without a second glance. He did hear what Menenius had to whisper to his wife.

“If I could shake off the seven years off my age, I would have put these arms and legs to follow him.” Menenius tried to soothe the grieving wife, but she had ignored him and walked back to Rome with her son. Menenius shrugged his shoulders at the cold treatment and then recalled he have one with a lady named Valeria. He soon took with fast pace on his legs. 

Tweet...tweet 15,000 words in three nights...

After a slumbering period of three months, I think I am back on the roll. I done 15K words in a row over three nights. The tale was ..... ( drums please.... ) Hamlet. This adaptation will be featured Hamlet in his new alter ego; the madness and the blood bath soon to come. Every character will be given a write including Horatio and Barnardo.

And excerpt here.

Horatio

I had to admit the wine from Marcellus was potent to the mind. After my drink, I felt more than elated. I was filled with courage and even spoke to the ghost until Marcellus chased it away.

“That’s a first time for everything.” Marcellus was delighted at his rash act of hurling the bottle at the ghost. “I think it’s gone for good. Good riddance to it. We have enough ghosts in the Castle to accommodate one more.”

“No, I think it was trying to communicate with us.” Barnardo explained his view. “I think it was trying to speak.”

“Well, the owl scared it away. It was rumoured that the owl …” I was trying to impress them but Marcellus the Butler had to soil my night tale.

“It was not the owl but the rooster that crow all night so that no ghost dares to go out. On that night, no spells or witches can bewitch us. That’s how the holy night is.” Marcellus concluded the ending for me.

“Yeah but it ain’t the holy night yet.” Barnardo quipped in. That was truly a dampener to the colourful tale.

“Yes, I have heard of that tale. It’s all in the believing.” I added in. I was getting sleepy by then. Now that the ghost was gone I believe it was time to rest. 

And so shall it continue on. Even Laertes get more than a passing remark.

“It was like your tales. I hold no more fingers to the hearts you had broken.” I regretted then for telling her those tales; lies they were but she took all of it to heart.

“They are …. But you are my sister. I am your brother, and cared for you.” I confronted her. If she could read my mind, she would have joined me on my travels. I could be flexible with my plans. The wars could go on without me but I will go to war for my sister.

“But Harry loved me.” Ophelia was calling him then by his name. It was so personal. I stopped my packing and sat down next to her.

“Harry may love now.” I have to pick my words carefully. “When he grew to this age and with his homecoming, his next phase of life steps in.”

“Harry has new responsibilities or shall I say obligations. He may love you but with his obligations takes precedent.  He got an Empire to take care of. He is not like you and Father. He is akin to the Royal family. They ranks with the Kings and Queens.”

“I may be Queen.” Ophelia the Innocence added in. I smiled.

“A King had to abide by certain rules. It may …enslave them. He cannot have whatever he wants for he is King with obligations. His subjects demand it. His action weighed on a …nation. Like Harry, it’s the Empire. If he loves you, his love came with conditions that must not upset the obligations. You may end up in the bad relationship if you lose what is in you. I meant it cannot be restored.”

Mother, where art thou when you are needed. I truly cried out then in my heart.

“Oh, Laertes. You sounded like the nuns from the convent. It’s only fair I give it to him if I love him.” Ophelia was more educated than I thought. 

Coriolanus Act 4.1.1

Act 4

Scene 4.1.1

The Courtship

Coriolanus looked out the window of his room. It was his bedroom whom he shared with Virgilia; his wife and lover, and mother of his son. A child they consummated in love but the later years they found sparkle diminishing. He was either at call with the battles at the Roman’ borders or with the Consuls. He looked to his wife who was packing his bags. She does that every time he was to leave. She looked beautiful in the yellow dress that was body hugging. He recalled the times when they was flame in their lust and felt the throbbing then. He approached her, and circled his arms around her. It was then he found her in tears, and with her back to him, he did not noticed.

“Why, my dear? I am only …” Coriolanus voiced up, but his wife pushed him away.

“Please give me some space.” Virgilia stepped away, and almost tripped on the bags on the flooring. Coriolanus stood there and stared at her while she seated herself at the dresser. She reached for the comb to control her long tresses.

“Virgilia…” Coriolanus tried to speak to her, but she snapped back.

“Hush…” Virgilia spoke. “Mother may hear. I would be okay.”

“No, Virgilia.” Coriolanus cut in. “We need to talk.”

“Talk? We have not spoken for the last two years. It was either your war or your mother who was coaching you on the next speech.” Virgilia replied back in a low tone. She still feared her mother of the soldier, although she loved him. “It had been her ever since I had your son. She took over to coach you or our son more than I could serve in his milk.”

“What are you talking about? Why about my mother now?” Coriolanus pleaded ignorance. “You could have told me earlier.”

“Tell you with her hawkish stares on you. She only allowed us to speak when we are in bed, but when that happened, you would just turn over or onto me. You only wanted to hear from me was the moans or the fake throes. You think I 

was just another conquest of yours. Like the Volsces.”

“Please….Say no more.” Coriolanus defended his mother. “I loved both of you, and ….also her.”

“Forget it… consider your next ….tasks like another of those previous ones.” Virgilia replied. “Leave on it. Find yourself a home. Then called on us.”

Virgilia then stood up and walked out of the room. Just when the door was to be close, Coriolanus noticed the other room door was closing. It was his mother’s room.

Coriolanus Act 3.3.1 & 3.3.2

Scene 3.3.1

The Forum

The market place was still filled by the Commoners with their appointed Consuls stroking the embers on the Coriolanus issue. Brutus walked up to Sicinius who was in a chat with some ladies in the corner. He pulled Sicinius hand to get him to the side.

“We need to charge the man. Charge him home on his tyrannical power. If he evade us there, move onto the envy to the people.” Brutus laid his strategy. “We will nail him then.”

Sicinius was not listening and watching the three ladies he was trying to impress with his charms. He saw the Audile approaching them. Brutus asked the Audile on Coriolanus.

“Will he come?” Brutus was getting impatient. He dislikes the non-activity.

The Audile nodded.

“He’s accompanied. Old Menenius and those Consuls that tails behind that man.” The Audile replied.

“Have you a catalogue of all the voices that we have procured on the poll?” Sicinius asked. “By tribes?”

The Audile nodded again.

“Then assemble them. When they hear me say ‘It shall be so I the right and strength of the Commoners, be it either for death, for fine, or banishment, then let them with me. I say ‘Fine’, cry ‘Fine’ if Death cry ‘Death’!” Sicinius gave the order.

“When such time they have begun to cry, let them not cease, but with the din confused enforce the present execution of what we chance to sentence.” Brutus sided with the other.

The Audile nodded again. Probably an infliction of working too long as Audile.

“Make them strong, and ready for this hint which we would give to them.” Sicinius fortified his words with a pat on the back. Audile left for the awaiting task.

“Here he comes.” Sicinius smiled. He was to take center stage.

Scene 3.3.2

The Mock Court

Coriolanus stepped into the market place with his friends and friendlier Consuls. Arms engaged in a vice grip, they marched in to the confidence of united we stand, separated we shall …..flight perhaps. Menenius broke rank and walked ahead. He had his arms raised to the Commoner

“Calm, I asked all of you.” Menenius gave his ‘assuring’ smile. He was then approached by Coriolanus whom he lent his voice to whisper while he hunched his shoulders. “Humble like the hostler, that for the poorest piece, he will bear the knave by volume.”

They soon approached the Commoners who had stood their ground at the market place. Menenius the charmer stepped forth and made his opening speech.

“The Gods keep Rome in safety.” Menenius tried to hint that the Gods had played Coriolanus as the Champion. “They supplied us with worthy men. Walk our streets with the show of peace and not with war.”

The other two other Consuls stepped forth. They called on the Commoners to congregate around the Consuls, like in a siege. Just when the Audile called the Commoners to behave and listen but Coriolanus had called for his audience.

 “First, let me speak.” Coriolanus jolted to the front. The two opposing Consuls smiled at the one to speak. They liken the situation like the one who walked into the fire unaware.

“Shall I be charged no further than this present? Must all to determine are here?” Coriolanus looked to the assembled juries.

“If you submit to the Commoners’ voices, allow their officers, and are content to suffer the lawful censure for such faults as shall be proved upon you?” Sicinius asked Coriolanus who nodded. Sicinius was to continue when Menenius cut in.

“He says he is content. The warlike service he has done, consider; think upon the wounds on his body bears, which show like graves in the churchyard.” The old charmer chided the Commoners. “Consider further, that when he speaks not as Roman, you will find him a soldier’ do not take his ….rougher accents for malicious sounds, and….”

“Well, well, no more.” Sicinius snapped in. He was bore with the compliments and false accolades. “We charge you that you have contrived to take from Rome, and to wind yourself into a power tyrannical for which you are a traitor to the people.”

“What! Traitor?” Coriolanus succumbed to his emotions. Menenius pulled at him to calm down.

“The fires in Hell burned them!” Coriolanus lashed out. “Call me their traitor! Thou injurious Consuls. Within thine eyes sat twenty thousand deaths, in thy hands clutched as many millions, in thy tongue both numbers, I would say those lie unto thee w with a voice as free as I do pray the Gods.”

“He mocked us, Commoners.” Sicinius laid the embers on the fire. The Commoners shouted for the tone alike the lynch mob.

“Peace!’ Sicinius shouted out. “We need no more proof to his charge. What you had seen him do and heard him speaks, beating your officers, cursing yourselves. He opposed the laws with strokes, and here defying those great power must try hi, so criminal and in such capital kind, deserves extreme death.”

“You…” Coriolanus exploded out, but Menenius reminded him of his promise to his mother. Coriolanus shrugged him off.

“I will …” Coriolanus paused in his words. “Let them pronounce the steep death, vagabond exile, flayed and pent to linger but with a grain a day, I would not buy their mercy at the price of one fair word, nor check my courage for what they can give.”

“Hear me, my masters, and my common friends.” Cominius tried to soothe the Commoners.

“He’s sentenced; no more hearing.” Sicinius retort.

“Please let me speak.” Cominius pleaded. “I have been Consul, and can show for Rome her enemies upon me. I do love my country….”

“We know your drift. Speak no more.” Sicinius raised his Voice. “There’s no more to be said.”

“He is banished.” Brutus spoke out without thinking. He looked to Sicinius. “As enemy to the Commoners and his country.”

The Commoners echoed the support for that. That riled Coriolanus to explode in emotion.

“You common cry of curs whose breaths I hate as it reek of the rotten fens, whose loves I prize as the dead carcasses of unburied men that do corrupt my air.” Coriolanus spat at the ground. “I banish you. Let every feeble rumor shake your hearts! Your enemies fan you into despair! Despising for you the city, thus I turn my back: there is a world elsewhere.”

Coriolanus turned to walk away. The other Consuls saw their newly staged up Consul had turned tail, they also did the same. The Commoners cheered when they realized they had won.

“Our enemy is banished.”