Death of Alfonso XI of Castile
King Alfonso XI of Castile lies dying of bubonic plague in his military camp during the Siege of Gibraltar, surrounded by knights and physicians who are powerless to save him. The once formidable rule
Setting
Inside the king's large campaign tent, surrounded by the military camp near Gibraltar. The tent is dimly lit, with the sounds of distant soldiers and the occasional clink of armor outside. The interior is hastily arranged with the necessities of war and royalty.
Characters
Alfonso XI of Castile
primary
A man in his late 30s, gaunt and weakened by disease, with sunken cheeks and dark circles under his eyes. His once-strong frame is now frail, and his pale skin is marked with the telltale buboes of the plague. His thick, dark beard is unkempt from illness.
Chief Physician
primary
A middle-aged man with a gaunt, scholarly face, deep-set eyes shadowed by fatigue, and a neatly trimmed beard streaked with gray. His hands are stained with medicinal herbs and show the precision of years of practice. His posture is slightly stooped from long hours of study and bending over patients.
Knight Commander
secondary
A seasoned warrior in his late 40s, with a broad, muscular build from years of wielding heavy armor and weapons. His face is weathered, with deep lines from long campaigns under the sun, and a prominent scar runs from his left eyebrow to his cheekbone. His short, greying hair is closely cropped in military fashion, and his piercing blue eyes reflect both discipline and deep concern.
Scribe
secondary
A middle-aged man with a lean build, hunched shoulders from years of bending over parchment, and ink-stained fingers. His face is lined with concentration, and he has a neatly trimmed beard. His eyes are sharp, accustomed to working in dim light.
Young Squire
background
A young attendant of approximately 15 years, slight of build with tousled brown hair and wide, fearful eyes. His face is pale, and his hands tremble slightly as he clutches the basin.
Dialog
Alfonso XI of Castile
Deus vult... Our time is at hand. Let not our men see despair in their king.
Chief Physician
My liege, the humors are... irreparably unbalanced. I beg you to take this draught for ease.
Knight Commander
Gibraltar still stands. The men hold fast, but they need their king’s voice.
Alfonso XI of Castile
Then they shall... have it. Summon the heralds. Our last decree must be... iron.
Chief Physician
Domine miserere! Sire, exertion hastens—
Knight Commander
No. Let him forge his legacy as he lived—sword in hand.
Alfonso XI of Castile
Castile... endures. Remember... our justice.