Princess Christina has ridden far from the borders of her kingdom. It is now dark and Princess Christina is starting
a fire just off the path when a man on a black horse comes up behind her.
You dare to burn the trees of the King�s forest. Who are you? Speak!
I am no one of your concern, good sir. A mere traveler.
Why are you traveling alone, mere traveler? Lost your company, of are they all waiting for the signal to attack?
There are no others. I travel alone because I choose to.
Tell me, lonely traveler, how you come to own such a delicate saddle?
I am no thief. If the saddle is what you�re after, then take it. I don�t need it.
I am not a thief either. If I was, I would not be after your saddle.
Are all men of the world such disgusting animals?
You are no traveler. Who are you?
On what grounds do you feel as though you can assume such things, rider?
I suggest you speak to me in a more proper manner, lady.
You are no lord, you know not the manner.
You are correct I am no lord. I am Prince Edgar, son of King David.
My apologies, Your Highness, I did not know.
You are not from here, are you?
No my Lord.
Mount your horse. You�re coming with me.
Where are you taking me?
Home.
Exit Prince Edgar and Princess Christina
The scene takes place in King David�s castle. King David and his wife, Queen Marie, are Prince Edgar�s parents.
Queen Marie and King David are waiting Prince Edgar�s return.
Where is he, David? He was supposed to return hours ago. Look, it�s begun to rain.
I am sure he will return shortly. And what of the rain? It is not like it has never rained before.
Never has it rained when our son was our gala bating around.
You worry too much, My Love. Our son will be fine, it is just rain.
He should not be out in such weather.
Enter Prince Edgar and Princess Christina
Mother, it is just rain.
Edgar!
You worry tediously about me, but when I return, you speak to me in shock, as though I had no intention of returning.
Who is this, Edgar?
This is- come to think of it, you never said your name.
You never asked for it.
I ask now, what is your name?
My name is Christina. I wish not to bother you. I am a mere traveler.
You are no bother. Who are you really? For, you are no traveler.
Edgar, where are your manners?
My dear, you look very familiar. Are you sure you are a mere traveler?
Now that you say it, David, her features are quite familiar. Do we know your parents?
I do not believe so.
She is not from here, Mother.
Where are you from? There is no need for fear; we will not hurt you.
If I tell you who I am and where I come from, then you will most certainly send me back. I can�t go back.
My dear, did you do something wrong?
That is enough. We have no reason to suspect that she has done anything wrong. I believe she has done nothing wrong.
She is going to stay with us, as a guest. I do not need to know any more about you than what you have told me. Come,
I�ll show you where you can sleep.
I thank you, Your Highness, for your hospitality.
Good night, Mother, Father.
Exit Prince Edgar and Princess Christina
Interesting, very interesting.
Interesting? Our son is playing hero to this girl. We know nothing of her. She could be a criminal.
She is no criminal.
How can you know that? You can�t.
For one thing, her fear does not come from guilt.
And?
She is royalty.
The scene begins with King William II coming down the grand staircase in his castle. It is the same day as before.
Where could Christina possibly be? She could have been delayed by the rain, but-
Enter Rider
Good King William
Who are you?
A rider from Queen Kiyome. I am to give you this.
Thank you
Sir
Exit Rider
Why is Kiyome writing me? (reads letter) This is a monstrosity! Ready my horses!
Exit King William II
The scene takes place on the grounds of King David and Queen Marie�s castle. Princess Christina is standing on the
banks of a small lake.
Enter Prince Edgar
Hello?
Your Highness!? I did not know you were there.
Indeed, I am here. What is it you�re doing?
Just thinking.
Really? What about?
You are not horrified that a woman is thinking?
Prince Edgar
Why should I be? Woman may have their own opinions, and I wish to know yours.
My opinions don�t matter anymore.
You�re opinions will always matter, at least to me. What were you thinking of before?
My past.
It is not good to dwell on the past.
I was not dwelling on it. I was merely, remembering the past. Our past forms who we are in the present.
Past is just that; past. It may have played a role in who we are, but no more than our parents did. We decide who we are,
not our past actions.
That is quite profound, Your Highness.
Call me Edgar, and I have my moments.
This is the first time since we met that you did not speak to me in questions.
My apologizes. My curiosity can over run my rational thought sometimes.
There is no need for apologies, for your suspicions were valid. I am no mere traveler.
Who are you, then?
I am Princess Christina, daughter of King William II, and sole heir to the thrown.
You are royalty?
Indeed, I am.
Why did you leave home? What were you afraid of?
Death, I feared death.
What?
I was betrothed. He, he- I cannot articulate how horrible he was. He was going to kill my father and me. So I left. That�s
when you found me. I am a coward.
You have suffered long in silence. You are no coward. Why did you not speak of this sooner?
I don not know. Please, don�t let your parents send me back.
On my life, I will protect you.
Enter Servant
Edgar, the King and Queen request your presence in the drawing room.
I will be right there.
Exit Servant
Come, I daresay this also pertains to you.
Exit Prince Edgar and Princess Christina
The scene takes place at Queen Kiyome�s castle. Queen Kiyome is speaking to a servant when King William II enters.
Enter King William II
What is the atrocity, Kiyome? Where is my daughter?
William, I do not know what you�re speaking of. I sent Christina on yesterday.
Your letter says otherwise.
I sent you no letter.
Then what is this?
King William II hands Queen Kiyome the letter
I did not write this.
She is not here, then?
As I said before, I sent her on yesterday.
Where is she?
Enter Prince Edmund
King William? What has taken you from your kingdom and brought you here?
Christina.
What about her? She�s not ill, or hurt is she?
I pray it is not so.
She is gone.
Gone? Gone where?
I do not know. She never returned home.
We must find her!
We do not even know where to begin.
I will find her. She can�t be far.
That is valiant of you, Edmund, but I will search for my daughter.
No, it is too dangerous. If what has happened to Christina happens to you, your kingdom will have no one. I shall go.
You speak of wisdom beyond your years. If you need anything-
A moment alone, to clear my thoughts.
Of course, my son.
Exit King William II and Queen Kiyome
That wretched little dog, running away. She almost fooled me into thinking that she has submitted. I will find her, and when I
do, she�ll be lucky if she survives the night.
Exit Prince Edmund