ACT II, SCENE III
(The time is Spring 1486, Arigliona and her rebellion against the Romans has succeeded in taking control of several key cities in the Balkans and Dacia. General Ramileous marches with an army from the Prince of Moscow from the north. He arrives to Kosovo with only 14,000 men and some cavalry remaining up against Arigliona’s army of 33,000 men. These are dark days for the Romans as Emperor Michael waits in Athens for the results of this battle before giving away half of the Empire to the Victorious rebels. Ramileous chooses the day of the battle, a foggy day on the hills of Kosovo)
On Stage
(Ramileous is an average size man with strong build; he has little armor, as is the same with his army. A horse head cutout is attached to Ramileous and another soldier (not yet in view) to show they are cavalry. While four other of his soldiers are plain footmen. Ramileous and two footmen stand in center stage. To the right side of the stage is a ramp to represent a hill, atop which two other footmen stand.
To the left of the stage are Sorje and Arigliona and seven rebel soldiers. They also stand on a ramp to represent a hill.
There is mist put out on stage to show the effect of fog is on the battlefield obscuring vision.)
STAGE LEFT
Sorje- The army of Ramileous is weak and tired. They are half the number they once were and Ramileous has never tasted battle. This is all too easy.
Arigliona- Sorje don’t be a fool, Ramileous is the blood of Ramileous the Great and of Arbelia. You must not think you can win so easily. Let them attack you, for you have the high ground and the advantage.
S- He is only twenty five years old and is dressed like a peasant. How much could he know about war? His own men have abandoned him by the scores, HAHA, he is no leader, he is the last hope of the Empire and I will delight in his death at my sword.
A- I beg you be careful Sorje, do not let your pride fight this battle; use your cunning and courage as you did against Michael. If you keep from being led into a trap you cannot lose.
S- I will never be led into a trap, (points his sword at Arigliona) If you will not follow me into this victory, then perhaps you should go back to your Athens and study war with Michael, HAHA
(Arigliona frowns at Sorje and stomps her foot)
A- Don’t be a fool Sorje, God has given me insight into our victory and you must focus clearly without greed or you will be swept up in the enemies arms.
S- We will see who is the fool this day Arigliona, (turns to his soldiers) Now men, prepare for the greatest victory of your lives. For today the Roman Empire will be defeated once and for all and nothing will stand in our way to the road of POWER!!!
(Sorje and his men raise their swords and they begin to walk towards center stage where Ramileous and his two footmen are, Arigliona stays on the ramp.)
CENTER STAGE
Ramileous- Here comes the enemy, Now you have your orders men, do not engage but draw them back to the rest of the men until i give the signal.
(Ramileous and his two footmen move back away from the approaching army of Sorje. Sorje and his men are yelling and not paying attention to what is going on but only to attacking Ramileous. Ramileous and his two footmen join up with the other two footmen on the ramp at the right side of the stage. Sorje follows them up the ramp not caring that he has lost a tactical advantage. Sorje then sees Ramileous standing with his men. He and his men stop shouting and there is silence about the theater, Sorje looks shocked and realizes he has made a mistake. )
Ramileous- GLORY A ROMA!!, (raises his sword) For my hands are those of Justinian, For my arms are those of Caesar and my legs of Basileous, For my mind is that of Augustus and my heart that of Constantine. My sword is the Roman Spirit and today you will feel its power. CHARGE!!!!!!!! (Points sword and the two armies clash in battle as the other cavalryman of Ramileous enters the center stage and comes in behind Sorje’s men.)
THE BATTLE
(Ramileous swings his sword and draws a second sword. One rebel soldier falls and another’s thrust is blocked. One footman falls to a rebel but two more rebels fall to the footmen’s pikes. One rebel drops as the cavalryman comes from behind and gets him.
The remaining three rebels fall as the footmen and cavalryman chase them down the ramp and defeat them. While they are fighting though, Ramileous and Sorje rush to center stage and they duel. Ramileous has two swords and swings them swiftly and with skill, spinning and thrusting aggressively. Sorje with one sword blocks many of the blows but he backs up to the left side ramp and falters. Ramileous beats at Sorje and alas his sword drops. Ramileous puts a sword to Sorje’s chest. Arigliona stands and watches but says nothing to save Sorje, Ramileous then thrusts killing Sorje, he then looks up to see Arigliona standing there )
STAGE LEFT
Arigliona- Oh praise God you have finally defeated the evil Sorje! For so long have I been in bondage to the rebels. (She runs to Ramileous who stands there, she kneels at his feet and grabs his legs) My savior, my Roman Hero I thank you for saving the wife of Emperor Aruthos. I was captured and the traitors killed my husband. I am forever at your debt for saving me my lord, my Emperor.
(Ramileous does not yet know the full story behind Arigliona, he only knows of a rebel army to defeat. He drops his swords and raises Arigliona to her feet)
Ramileous- You have spoken wisely; I am your Emperor now fair Arigliona. The enemy of Rome is defeated and your husband has not died in vain. You shall stand beside me and rule this Empire in honor of the great Aruthos.
WAIT MY SON! ( A fragile woman’s voice shatters the silence of the theatre, slowly a woman in red robes appears from backstage from behind the mist)
Arbelia- this wicked witch shall not rule along side you Ramileous. She is cursed and her stench has filled my nostrils even among the dead here. Never has the Empire seen betrayal such as standing before you now.
(Arbelia slowly bends down and grabs one of Ramileous’ swords)
Arigliona- No, please great Arbelia, the warrior daughter of Ramileous the Great, a leader in her Father Ramileous’ armies and the restorer of her brother Proxius’ Empire. I beseech you to forgive my weakness, for even you could understand that I do what I must for power. I am a woman and I could bring the world under the law of my infinite wisdom. Join me Arbelia, together we can bring glory to this terrible world.
Arbelia- You are not a woman; you are a disgrace to the Empire. You will not have your power Arigliona; instead you will have your God.
(Arbelia thrusts the sword on Arigliona. Her eyes and mouth open wide as she grabs hold of the sword blade as Arbelia lets go of the sword. Ramileous then picks up the other sword and with a long mighty swing he strikes Arigliona down and she falls to the ground motionless. Arigliona is dead.)
(The audience erupts into applause and a patriotic fervor, the actors all stand up, including those of Arigliona, Sorje, Ramileous and Arbelia join the audience in the Roman Imperial Anthem as the standard of the Roman Empire lowers slowly in the back stage as the mist quickly dissipates.)
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