Meanwhile in A-m’s bed ...

GRACE:

from the hallway

Zy-Fahn!

ZYFAN:

Did you hear that?

KARANTHIR:

mmmf

ZYFAN:

I think someone just called me.

KARANTHIR :

What, what is it? Oh good morning my prince.

ZYFAN:

Do you know the time?

KARANTHIR:

The clock's behind you. Let me see - it's quarter to nine.

ZYFAN:

Quarter to nine! I was to be ready an hour ago.

Sacred ancestors! My sister is going to kill me.

KARANTHIR:

Syrrah? I highly doubt that.

yawn

Pardon me. Why - Syrrah is a very reasonable woman.

You overslept. It's that simple. She'll understand.

ZYFAN:

You believe her to be reasonable? That is because you did not

grow up with her. She has a fierce temper. When I was little, she 

would tug on my ear whenever I displeased her.

KARANTHIR:

She did that to me once, very unpleasant.

ZYFAN:

I swear one of my ears in larger than the other 

because of her. You must help me get dressed. Here!

KARANTHIR:

Ow.

ZYFAN:

Oh no! Karanthir - my ring, it is missing. It must have fallen 

off while we were .... How will I explain its absence to 

mother? Sacred ancestors! I am in so much trouble.

KARANTHIR:

Zyfan, you must calm down. I'll find your ring, 

I promise, and I'll explain everything to Syrrah.

ZYFAN :

You must not.

KARANTHIR:

Don't be ridiculous, I got you into this, I'll get you out.

Now turn around and let me help dress you.

ZYFAN:

Perhaps you are right and Syrrah will not be angry. What 

are you doing back there? Why is this taking so long?

KARANTHIR :

My apologies for the delay. I was simply 

distracted by your spectacular bare bottom.

ZYFAN:

We do not have time for this! Now either help me or ... 

Do you really think my bottom is spectacular? 

I never gave it much thought.

KARANTHIR:

That's because you can't see it. Trust me 

my prince, it's truly magnificent. OK, you’re ready.

ZYFAN:

Thank you.

KARANTHIR:

Let me lower you to save time. Take my hands.

ZYFAN:

I am so sorry to leave you in such haste.

KARANTHIR:

I understand. Zyfan, in case there's no time later ....

In the living room ...

SYRRAH:

You are late.

ZYFAN:

I am so sorry. It will take me but a minute to get 

ready. Then we will be on our way.

SYRRAH:

Come here, I wish to look upon you.

ZYFAN:

But we are so late. Please just let me ...

SYRRAH:

You will join me, now sit. I was concerned for your well being.

It appears I had no need. You are wearing that quiet 

smile of yours again. Explain.

ZYFAN:

I ... overslept.

SYRRAH:

That is obvious. Was your new lover not aware of our plans?

ZYFAN:

This was not his fault. Please do not be angry.

SYRRAH:

How can I be anything but pleased when you are so happy?

Go, get ready.  Hurry, I think I hear him coming.

ZYFAN:

Syrrah what are you going to do? You have a peculiar 

look in your eye. I am not sure I like it.

SYRRAH:

I am going to discover if your new lover is worthy of you.

ZYFAN:

Oh please Syrrah, you cannot.

SYRRAH:

I certainly can and shall.

ZYFAN:

I beg you! Just let him be.

SYRRAH:

Zyfan, you know I cannot do that. Do not worry, I am sure he will 

pass my little test. And remember, the faster you make ready, 

the less time I shall have with him.

ZYFAN:

Then I will move with the speed of lightening.

Then ...

VANNI:

… I just saw Zyfan. He sure was in a hurry.

SYRRAH:

Yes I am sure he was. Sit. I am about to entertain you.

VANNI:

How?

SYRRAH:

Things have happened.. All you need to do is be quiet

and try to keep up. Now hush, here he comes.

KARANTHIR:

Good morning dear lady.

SYRRAH:

So Karanthir - you are the reason for my brother’s tardiness.

KARANTHIR:

Tardiness?… Well, you see Syrrah …

SYRRAH:

I do not see. Were you not aware that Zyfan

had obligations this morning?

KARANTHIR:

That’s why I wanted his last night here to be ...

SYRRAH:

Perhaps you do not realize that since I am  a Daughter of IlluminatA, he is not only my brother 

but my servant as well.

SYRRAH:

I can have him severely punished for this behavior.

I am not to be kept waiting, it is a sign of disrespect.

KARANTHIR:

No disrespect was intended. Really, we simply 

overslept, it could happen to anyone.

SYRRAH:

Not to a Prince from the House of the Third Moon, assigned to High Priestess Syrrastanthalah, carrying the first royal heir of this generation. When you are with Zyfan -  you must realize he comes with a legacy.

SYRRAH:

It will not? Is that because my brother is but another conquest to you?

KARANTHIR:

Not at all. When I said it won’t happen again I meant I’ll never get in the 

way of his reponsibilities again. He’s profoundly special to me. 

I only wish to make him happy.

SYRRAH:

Then I accept your apology.

SYRRAH:

… What are you hiding from me? That is mother’s ring.

KARANTHIR:

May I  return it to him?

SYRRAH:

I think that would please him. You may go.

KARANTHIR:

Thank you.

VANNI:

Syrrah, is Zyfan really your servant?

SYRRAH:

The Daughters of IlluminatA have always had royal guards. Zyfan is 

mine. It was the only way my family would allow him to join us here. 

And now about Karanthir, do you think perhaps I scared him a little?

VANNI:

Him? You scared me a little. He did seemed sincere.

Maybe I was wrong about him. I hope so, for Zyfan's sake.

SYRRAH:

You and I both.

VANNI:

I wish I was going with you.

SYRRAH:

You must attend your job and finish your schooling. It will only be 

for a few weeks. I will summon you in time for the birth of our daughter.

VANNI:

I’m going to miss you terribly, wife.