ay_my_lord

*slight terror--but, composes himself and relocates the Atreus in his head*

*bitterly* Whatever's wrong for
a brother is right
for him. Because what's
he ever stopped at?
*a fierce gesture* Wife and kingdom, he
took both. Our ancient
symbol of power
he took by deceit,
by deceit he brought
our family to
confusion. *to clarify, to the audience* In our
family's flocks there's a
ram whose wool is gold
so all our kings have
gold on their sceptres.
His owner rules. The
future of our house
follows him. He's safe
shut up in a field,
shielded by stone walls,
sacred. *still clarifying, but now his voice is harder* The traitor
dared something huge, he
took my wife to help,
he took the ram. This
is what started it.
*anger giving way to grief a little* I've wandered about
a trembling exile
in this country that's
mine. *helpless* No part of the
family is free
from traps. My wife is
corrupted. The deal
we made to share the
kingdom's smashed. House sick.
Children's blood in doubt.
Nothing certain but
brother enemy.
*shaking his head, shaking himself out of it* Why this stupor? Start.
*a step forward, straightening--looking off a little* Take hold of your soul.
Think of Tantalus.
That's the kind of thing
my hands are being
asked to do. *with great spite* Tell me
a way to honour
my brother's vile head.

*pause*

*out of character* ... how was that?