Epiphany Rising
A group of nobles, including Thomas Despenser and John Montagu, are secretly plotting against King Henry IV in the dimly lit Westminster Palace, moments before their rebellion is discovered.
Setting
Westminster Palace, Great Hall, London, England. The vast hall is dimly lit, with towering stone walls adorned with tapestries depicting royal lineage and battle victories. High, narrow windows allow glimpses of the darkening winter sky, their stained glass casting muted colors on the cold stone floor.
Characters
Thomas Despenser
primary
A tall, lean nobleman in his early 30s with sharp, angular features and piercing blue eyes. His dark brown hair is neatly trimmed, framing a face marked by the stress of recent political upheavals. His fingers are long and elegant, often clenched in quiet frustration.
John Montagu
primary
A nobleman in his early 40s, with a lean yet muscular build from years of military training. His sharp, angular features are framed by a neatly trimmed beard, and his piercing grey eyes betray a keen intelligence. His dark hair is streaked with silver, tied back in a short queue.
King Henry IV
secondary
A man in his early 30s, of medium height but commanding presence. His face is sharp, with piercing blue eyes that seem to miss nothing. A neatly trimmed beard covers his jaw, and his hair is kept short under his crown. His regal bearing is unmistakable, yet there is a weariness in his posture from the recent struggles for the throne.
Royal Guard
secondary
A sturdy man in his late 30s, with a weathered face marked by a diagonal scar across his left cheek. His broad shoulders and calloused hands speak of years of martial training. His dark brown hair is cropped short, and his piercing blue eyes constantly scan the room for threats.
Courtier
background
A middle-aged man with a slender build, his pale complexion contrasting sharply with his dark, neatly trimmed beard. His deep-set eyes dart nervously about the room, and his fingers fidget with the hem of his sleeve.
Dialog
Thomas Despenser
The hound bays at the wrong tree, John. Our quarry slips further away with each passing hour.
John Montagu
Aye, but loose arrows draw blood before the hunt is joined. We must sheath our steel... for now.
Thomas Despenser
By Christ's bones, must we wait until the usurper's boot is upon our necks?
John Montagu
Patience, Thomas. Even the stag stands motionless before the strike.
King Henry IV
My lords... you seem most engrossed in your discourse. Pray, share what weighs so heavily upon your minds.
Thomas Despenser
Naught but the burdens of loyalty, Your Grace... as all good subjects must bear.
King Henry IV
Loyalty is a heavy crown indeed... heavier still when worn by those unaccustomed to its weight.