Venice, Croatia
May 15, 1312
Court of King Andrija Trpimirovic
A tall man in his mid thirties sits in a throne stage right. To his right sits a older man, in his late fifties, in a basic desk and chair. He holds several papers, occasionally shuffling between them. Some ways in front of them is a monk in his early fifties, in a simple, brown tunic.
Courtier: "Next, my Lord, Ljubomir Sokolovic, Grandmaster of the Order of St. Draskin."
Arndrija: "Since when was Draskin Trpimirovic a saint?"
Ljubomir: "My liege, the Pope is incorrect to assume that the most glorious Draskin was not immediately welcomed into Heaven. He has shown us the path to salvation; all I ask is for the funds to restart the Grand Excavation Project."
Andrija: "Why was this man allowed in here? Take him away!"
[[Ljubomir is escorted out stage left by two guards]]
Courtier: "Next, my Lord, we have Luka Radenos, Count of Chalkidike."
[[A man in his early thirties enters stage left. He is escorted by one guard, differently dressed than the others. His clothes look battered, but he carries an aura of authority and self-importance]]
Luka: "Thank you, o powerful King Andrija, for this chance.."
Andrija (interrupting): "Get on with it..."
Luka: Of course, King Andrija. My poeple recognize your greatness and I humbly petition you to assert your rightful authority over my County.
Andrija: "Request denied; I have far better things to do that go cavorting around in Hellas. (Turing to Courtier) Is that the last of them.
Courtier: Yes, my Liege
Luka: Then who was that cloaked gentleman in the hallway?
[[The large double doors swing open quickly, revealing a man in his early forties. He is wearing a heavy cloak to cover his figure and face, and carries a small crossbow in his right hand. He walks forward towards Andrija]]
Andrija: Guards! Seize this intruder! Quickly!
[[The guards make for the cloaked man, who removes his hood. They immediately stop once the see his face; that of a balding man with a few thin scars from war.]]
[[Andrija immediately rises from his throne]]
Andrija: "Aleksander....I thought I had you killed...."
Aleksander: "You WISH you had me killed. Luckily, I escaped Belgrade before your hired assassins arrived.
Andrija: "Quite a pity. I guess I must be going..."
[[Aleksander fires his crossbow, hitting Andrija just below his left eye. He falls to the floor, bleeding profusely]]
Aleksander: I don't believe you'll be going anywhere....