(an excerpt from the play The Restoration of Vach Thruyn [Act III, Scene VI])
ENNES: Tell me once again what the signal will be.
KYRLAN: I know not what exactly it may be, but milord said it would be unmissable.
ENNES: [wry] One would expect that to be more comforting.
KYRLAN: Trust in Thruyn’s plan. As the true heir to this Vach, his blood carries the legacy of tacticians and champions alike. We need only wait.
[Offstage is the sound of a large explosion. ENNES and KYRLAN cry out in surprise, half-losing their crouched footing.]
KYRLAN: By the Gods —
ENNES: — was that the sign? I —
KYRLAN: — of course it was the sign! Come, we’re to take our positions. Anyone not flying our colours must not be allowed to escape nor flank.
ENNES: [annoyed] I sat beside you at the meeting, Kyrlan.
KYRLAN: Just follow me!
[Distant cries come from offstage as both men exeunt stage right and shortly reappear stage left. They kneel and peer ahead.]
KYRLAN: Do you see that?
ENNES: See it, yes, but I can scarcely believe my own eyes! They actually managed to breach the wall of Kennethrach!
KYRLAN: [pointing] There! Soldiers of the pretender! Ready your bow!
[Both men ready their bows, aim upward, draw, and simultaneously fire.]
KYRLAN: Keep firing!
[The two fire three more shots. ENNES pauses before the next and points stage left.]
ENNES: Hold! Who is that man? He’s no soldier.
KYRLAN: [looking] Neither is he wearing anyone’s colors. Nor armor, for that matter.
ENNES: Then it… it must be the sorcerer.
KYRLAN: A sorcerer? How was I not aware of this?
ENNES: I thought it merely rumour, but that large hole in the castle wall…
KYRLAN: What sorcerer would have the power to do such a thing?
ENNES: [squinting] At this distance, I cannot see his face.
KYRLAN: Moreover, how would milord have convinced him to help?
[ENNES goes to answer, but his attention is drawn forward. He readies his bow.]
ENNES: More enemy soldiers!
[KYRLAN also readies his bow.]
KYRLAN: Resume firing! Don’t stop until your arrows are depleted!
[The two continue firing volleys as the lights fade.]