Below is a new, short, complete play titled The Scholar's Honour, by the blogger ibikunle Abraham which concludes with a glorious and triumphant resolution.
The Scholar's Honour
Dramatis Personae:
LORD ALGERNON: A noble of intellect, not war.
BARON MORTIMER: A boorish, warlike noble.
DUCHESS ELIZA: The wise ruler.
A CHALLENGER: A foreign diplomat.
SCENE I. The Duchess's Court. A debate of arms and wit.
[Enter DUCHESS ELIZA, BARON MORTIMER, and LORD ALGERNON.]
BARON MORTIMER:
My Lady Duchess, these are times of war!
The King of France doth mass his troops,
And mocks our court as being full of scholars,
Not men of iron and of steeléd will!
We need a captain, one who knows the sword,
Not one who reads his time away in books!
(He gestures dismissively at Algernon)
LORD ALGERNON:
My Lord, the pen is mightier than the sword.
A wise negotiation saves more lives
Than any battle won on bloody fields.
Knowledge is power, and a peaceful realm
Is built on wit, not mindless, violent rage.
BARON MORTIMER:
(Laughing)
Hear him, my Lady! He would talk the French
Into submission with his soft, smooth words!
We need a man to lead the troops, I say,
To show them English mettle!
DUCHESS ELIZA:
Enough! Both wisdom and the sword are needed.
But look, a foreign challenger arrives.
[Enter THE CHALLENGER, a large, intimidating man-at-arms.]
THE CHALLENGER:
I bring a challenge from the King of France!
My master seeks a champion to face
A trial of honour: three tasks of wit and strength.
Should we succeed, your lands shall be our own!
Should you succeed, then peace shall reign supreme.
But who among you is brave enough to try?
BARON MORTIMER:
(Stepping forward, hand on his sword)
I shall! A test of strength? A simple feat!
THE CHALLENGER:
The first is strength, the second, a riddle sharp,
The third, a test of tactical design.
Only one man shall stand for Aquitaine.
DUCHESS ELIZA:
(Looking at Mortimer, then Algernon)
Strength alone is not enough this time.
Lord Algernon, you are both wise and fit.
You shall represent our noble land!
BARON MORTIMER:
(Outraged)
A scholar? He will shame us all!
DUCHESS ELIZA:
Silence! My will is law. Algernon it is.
[Exit all with tension.]
SCENE II. The Tournament Field. The challenges.
[A crowd gathers. The CHALLENGER stands ready. DUCHESS ELIZA watches from a throne. Enter LORD ALGERNON, wearing light armor.]
THE CHALLENGER:
First task: lift this great stone above thy head.
(He indicates a massive stone)
LORD ALGERNON:
(To the Duchess, with a bow)
For Aquitaine, my Lady!
[Algernon strains but lifts the stone with surprising strength, amidst cheers from the crowd.)
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