The Traveler's Vow: The Chimes of Starhold, Part 1
NARRATOR
Hear the bells
Signal the hour
Those are the chimes of Starhold
Calling out
From the highest tower
Of the Imperial Palace
In the Blazing World
NARRATOR
Eighteen-fifteen
Twenty years before Printing House Square
People gathered in magical revelry
The entire capital
The city of Paradise was there
CHORUS
Hear the bells
Signal the hour
As they wave from the royal balcony
NARRATOR
King Itzal
With Queen Chazira
The Blazing World’s royal family
CHAZIRA
Good people of the Blazing World
Thank you for joining us at Starhold
You are the magic that illuminates
This day of celebration
ITZAL
Good people of Paradise
Tonight there will be fireworks
But for now, we raise our hands
And illuminate our nation
With light from within
CHAZIRA, ITZAL
For our radiant Princess Margaret
On her fiftieth birthday
ITZAL
We know the prophecy well
It says that someday
Someone will be able to communicate
With the ancient magic of this land
CHAZIRA
Born with elements of every magic way
She will cross all seven thresholds
Not simply to speak
But to understand
CHAZIRA, ITZAL
And on her seventy-first birthday
She will illuminate a path
With a light as bright as the sun
Not just for herself
But for everyone
ITZAL
To the future Great Enchantress
CHAZIRA
Happy birthday, my darling
CHAZIRA, ITZAL
The future queen of all the Blazing World
CHAZIRA
She snuck out, didn’t she?
ITZAL
I can’t believe this…
CHAZIRA
(to the crowd) Just a moment!
DAKKAR
I couldn’t say
I don’t know how she got past everyone
ITZAL
Who were the guards
ITZAL
(frustrated) Her best friends?
Like a knight of yesteryear
Travelers serve the crown
Not only with their magic
But in fields of science
Looked upon as leaders
In the homes of every town
Travelers are there for guidance
So if you’re going to take
A greater role in the Travelers-
The Child of the Gates is on it
She’s gone off to gather her
CHAZIRA
Good. Until then, you stall them.
CHAZIRA
They adore you, Prince Dakkar. Talk to them.
DAKKAR
(awkwardly) Uh… greetings!
NARRATOR
As Dakkar held off the crowd of thousands
Margaret watched the show
MARGARET / AHLAAM / KAL
You’re doing great, brother! / We love you, Prince Dakkar! / (laughs) Never gets old.
NARRATOR
From the rooftop across the square
With Ahlaam and Kal in tow
KAL
Your brother is a natural
MARGARET
He’s going to be so mad
AHLAAM
Your mother probably had a laugh
But what about your dad
MARGARET
Angry for a moment or two
But they know I love this view
Here on the roof, I can feel the magic
Of our entire civilization
Not from someplace beyond
But somewhere between
It makes me think that I’m the person
They’re saying I will be
(Thwap! The sound of teleportation)
SIA
Forgive me, your highness, Travelers. I’m Sia, from the Second.
AHLAAM
(realizing) She’s Child of the Gates.
KAL
I didn’t know we were getting one of those.
SIA
Princess, we must get back to-
SIA
Yes, Princess Margaret. Please, it’s my first day-
MARGARET
No, no, no, just call me Margaret.
SIA
I’m not sure that’s proper, Princess Margaret.
MARGARET
A model Traveler.
MARGARET
She’s right, though. We should let my brother off the hook.
AHLAAM / KAL (overlapping)
If we must. / Yeah, I’m getting hungry, anyways.
MARGARET
Okay, Traveler. We’re going!
DAKKAR
(giving a speech) -for millennia, our islands have been-
DAKKAR, ITZAL, CHAZIRA
Margaret!
MARGARET
Thanks for holding the fort.
ITZAL
You’re getting too old for this type of behavior.
CHAZIRA
So are you, my king.
ITZAL
Well, she’s lucky it’s her birthday!
CHAZIRA
(laughs) I love you, Margaret.
MARGARET
I love you, too, mother.
CHAZIRA
Now get up there.
MARGARET, CHORUS
Sing with the chimes of Starhold
MARGARET
Lighting up our Blazing World
MARGARET, CHORUS
The history of our people
Our place in the heavens
MARGARET
If something so mysterious can be solved
I’ll answer the call
So ring the bells
NARRATOR
The chimes of Starhold
MARGARET, CHORUS
Hear the bells
NARRATOR
There were spectacles and speeches
In the realm’s farthest reaches
All in the name of Princess Margaret
There were parties and feasts
And dancing in the streets
But the best part happened after sunset