From the Play: Triffina and the Queens of Conomor, ACT I, Scene 2
Characters:
Bishop Gildas – A leader of the Church in Brittany and personal confessor to King Conomor of Cornwall and Domnonée. Middle-aged.
Dame Destiny – The Primordial Orchestrator of Fate, disguised as a middle-aged nun.
Setting: On a remote rampart of Castle Domnonée in Brittany, on a dark night in the year 548 CE.
Background: After being charged by the five-time widowed King Conomor to travel to Vannetais to ask for the hand of Princess Triffina in marriage, a concerned Bishop Gildas meets with a mysterious nun who claims to possess a talisman that he hopes might protect this latest prospective queen.
BISHOP GILDAS
How cold this night is. — and dark! Shadows thrash like giants who steal the stars and leave an empty sky! Will a humin soul be next? How I wish this unnatural business was over with!
(BISHOP GILDAS hears a noise off-stage.)
BISHOP GILDAS
What’s that?!
(DAME DESTINY’s voice is heard in the darkness.)
DAME DESTINY
Bishop Gildas?
BISHOP GILDAS
Who’s there?
DAME DESTINY
She whose message you received.
BISHOP GILDAS
Come into the light, Sister.
(DAME DESTINY, disguised as a nun, steps into the light from Stage Left.)
BISHOP GILDAS
Are you alone?
DAME DESTINY
(Nods) As you requested. Why did you insist we meet in so desolate a place?
BISHOP GILDAS
Our topic demands secrecy. Did you bring the talisman?
DAME DESTINY
Right here.
(Dame Destiny removes a small pouch from her pocket
and holds it before him.)
BISHOP GILDAS
May I?
(BISHOP GILDAS motions to take it, but DAME DESTINY
pulls it back away from him.)
DAME DESTINY
First, tell me: Is it true that your king intends to marry again?
BISHOP GILDAS
It is. I leave for the Court of Vannetais tomorrow, there to ask for the hand of Princess Triffina.
DAME DESTINY
Hasn’t Conomor been wedded many times before?
BISHOP GILDAS
(Sighs) In these past eight years he has buried five queens, all victims of grievous accidents.
DAME DESTINY
Poor ladies! And Conomor! — He must think himself accursed in love!
BISHOP GILDAS
(Nods) Triffina’s own protest, I fear! (Earnestly) Still, I must bring back a willing bride for His Majesty.
DAME DESTINY
I’m sorry, Good Bishop, but under the circumstances, the charm I possess would be of no use to her!
BISHOP GILDAS
Why not?!
DAME DESTINY
It has power to warn its wearer only of intentional harm. But if the queens of Conomor die accidental deaths —
(DAME DESTINY shakes her head and puts the pouch
back in her pocket.)
BISHOP GILDAS
Surely, it’s worth taking a chance! — considering the greatness of the persons involved!
DAME DESTINY
I’d sooner give it to a pauper for whom I knew it would do some good!
(DAME DESTINY begins to walk away.
BISHOP GILDAS grabs her by the arm.)
BISHOP GILDAS
Wait! (Hedgingly) What if their deaths were not accidental?
(DAME DESTINY breaks away and glares at him.)
DAME DESTINY
Speak plainly.
BISHOP GILDAS
What if they were murdered?
DAME DESTINY
(Looking him straight in the eye) Then someone has much to answer for.
BISHOP GILDAS
(Casts his eyes downward and nods) Someone will.
DAME DESTINY
It is said Conomor gained his throne through bloodshed.
BISHOP GILDAS
Thrones are often lost the same way.
DAME DESTINY
Did Conomor shed his queens’ blood?
BISHOP GILDAS
(Turns away) A confessor damns his soul by confessing!
DAME DESTINY
Many things can damn a soul, Bishop. — Perhaps things you are concealing now? But it’s your choice. You can take his secret to your grave!
BISHOP GILDAS
What sort of nun are you to press me so?!
(DAME DESTINY takes out the pouch and swings it
before his eyes.)
BISHOP GILDAS
All right! The truth is Conomor murdered each of his queens — after learning she was with child!
DAME DESTINY
Why?!
BISHOP GILDAS
Because of a prophecy foretold to him some years ago that he would die through his own son’s betrayal. — A prophecy he insists he had from Dame Destiny, Herself!
DAME DESTINY
(Smiles to herself) And one he has clearly taken to heart!
BISHOP GILDAS
(Shakes his head) A Christian prince consorting with ancient powers!
DAME DESTINY
(Slyly) Imagine that!
BISHOP GILDAS
Will you now give me the talisman?
DAME DESTINY
Of course!
(DAME DESTINY hands him the pouch.
BISHOP GILDAS looks inside.)
BISHOP GILDAS
A ring?!
DAME DESTINY
An onyx ring. Offer it to the princess as an engagement gift. The stone will glow if she be in danger.
BISHOP GILDAS
(Looks at the ring, considering) Do I now consort with ancient powers?
DAME DESTINY
(Impatiently) If you don’t want the charm —
BISHOP GILDAS
I do! God forgive me.
DAME DESTINY
But remember, Bishop, it can only warn the princess of danger; it cannot protect her from it.
BISHOP GILDAS
Triffina’s fate is now in Christ’s hands!
DAME DESTINY
Then may Christ not wash his hands of her so swiftly as you do!
(Pause. They look each other straight in the eye.
BISHOP GILDAS looks away first, as if he has seen
something in this nun’s glance that terrifies him.)
BISHOP GILDAS
I must prepare for my journey.
DAME DESTINY
And I must continue on mine.
(DAME DESTINY watches as BISHOP GILDAS,
walking slowly, exits Stage Right. She turns
and exits Stage Left.)
© Justy Fairfield 2007, 2025
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