Page 244 - Musings 2020

Cicero: A mercenary is what I would be defined as. You knights need to know the truth of
your standing in the current times. I have seen countless kingdoms, countless knights. All are
alike, shrouded deep, and drunk in their illusion of honour and pride. Let me enlighte…

Sir Archibald:(Enraged) QUIET! I will not tolerate being defamed by YOUR kind. All you
are is a pathetic money-worshipping scoundrel. You would probably set your own back on
fire for money.
(Rosaline and Talos both look in astonishment as the knight continues to outrage.)

Cicero: Well sir, don’t know about setting my own back on fire, but I might just consider
shutting up if you are to pay me a few gold coins. If not, my mouth will mumble as it pleases.

(Cicero then makes weird facial expressions showing his freedom of speech. Archibald is
infuriated.)

Cicero: We are not that different after all, you know.

(Archibald stands up engulfed by fury.)

Sir Archibald: We are NOT the same. I hope that your brain can comprehend the humongous
difference between honourable man and a dishonest money-worshipping rat.

Cicero: And yet here I am, the calmer person enjoying the conversation while you’ve stood
up to violently express your disagreement. Please be a gentleman and help me sketch out the
differences in our jobs. As far as my puny brain can see, we both get paid for our job. We
both kill. You kill for the duke; I kill for my lords. With each emotionless act of killing, our
fame increases among the masses. People respect you out of fame, people respect me out of
fear.

Sir Archibald: My job is to protect people, to bestow justice to common people. To uphold
the code of honour. To--
Cicero: And yet you cannot protect the families of your own kind. Take Talos for example.
Do you have the slightest idea of what happened to his mother?

Sir Archibald: I am bound to serve my people even if it means hurting a few others. Noble
sacrifices must be made if a good cause is to prevail. I do not know what happened to poor
Talos’ mother and I deeply extend my condolences to his father who died for the duke.

Cicero:(continuing his previous point) She gave up on life. She couldn’t stand the grief or
poverty inflicted upon her and Talos after her husband’s death. Poor lady stabbed herself 11
times in her own gut. Rosaline also told me that to hide this terrifying incident from Talos, he
was told that she died from an unknown sickness. What good cause was she sacrificed for? I
can’t imagine a species more twisted than your kind to term this death as noble. 'Tis a
tragedy. Stop giving honour as an excuse for your numerous sins. It is convenient to deem
me, a mercenary as evil. But let me assure you, good sir, that I have NEVER let the families
of my companions suffer.

(Sir Archibald’s shoulders drop; he clings on desperately to his sword for support)

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