The Whispers Of Treason

IWORI: The Whispers of Treason

The Opening Scene of a Play

Dramatis Personae

KING ADISA: The current ruler, just and trusting.

OLUFEMI: The King's ambitious, cynical brother.

AKANNI: A loyal but naive servant to the King.

IYALAWO: The Priestess, a voice of foresight.

Act I

Scene I

(The royal gardens. Night. OLUFEMI and a shadowy COURTIER are speaking in hushed tones.)

OLUFEMI

The King grows weak, Akanni, doth he not?

His justice tempered with a foolish mercy.

This kingdom, built by stronger hands forgot,

Doth list toward ruin, ruled by his perversity.

He pardons rebels, lowers the harsh tax,

Whilst greater nations sharpen their attack.

COURTIER

My lord, the people love his gentle way.

OLUFEMI

The people! Fools who cheer the rising sun,

Then curse the darkness when it ends the day.

Greatness requires great deeds, not gently done.

IWORI spoke this morn, within the shrine,

Of hidden truths, and power that should be mine.

The Iyalawo said a serpent sleeps

Within the house, a secret which she keeps.

COURTIER

What means this 'serpent'? Doth she speak of us?

The King's own brother, planning such a deed?

A bloody future, filled with strife and fuss?

OLUFEMI

(Smiling, insidious)

She speaks of change, of planting newer seed.

The King is blind, too trusting of his kin.

The time is ripe for my new reign to begin.

The people need a hawk, and not a dove.

COURTIER

But what of justice, and the gods above?

OLUFEMI

The gods desire a strong and stable throne!

I make my justice, let my will be known!

Go now, and plant the rumour of a plot,

That King Adisa’s wisdom is forgot.

We’ll use the shadows IWORI did foretell,

To send my brother to an early hell.

(They exit in opposite directions as the light fades.)