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Prince Montezzi, Montezzi Fortress

My Lord,

I have heard through rumor that you are interested in commissioning a play about yourself. While, I have written a few plays in the past, contemporary history is not my strong suit. However, I've come up with a short treatment, a work of complete fiction, which may illustrate through theme many of the ideals you hold and wish for your people. If you are interested in its purchase, the charge will be 350 gold per act. Payment will be made before each act is started, then when completed, the act will be submitted for your approval. An additional 1000 gold pieces at the finish will provide the rest needed for hire of actors, props and staging. I can be reached by letter to the Lavenza estate.

Thank you, -Queen's Rook

Treatment Follows:

((if you're not the prince and don't want spoilers, I'd stop reading now))

Act1

A young Prince is captured by thieves while visiting a market. Two adolescent siblings, a brother and sister from the most poverty stricken part of the city are able to free him from his captors, and return him to the king. The king rewards them with adoption into his house, making the adolescent pair royalty.

Act2

Many years later, the adopted prince discovers the kings will by accident. Though the oldest, he finds that the king has left all land and titles to his blood son. Jealous and angry, his scheming wife convinces him to set about a plot to capture the thrown for himself. Meanwhile, love begins to bud between his sister and the bloodline prince.

Act3

Luring his adoptive brother out on a hunt, the oldest prince kills him with a spear in the back. He then carries the body back to the king and blames a neighboring kingdom for the assassination. Acting on pure emotion, the king rushes to war. The princess, however, has intuitions that all is not how it seems.

Act4

While the King leads his armies to war, the princess visits an old diviner. She reveals the true murderer behind her lovers death is her own brother. Even worse, the diviner tells her that the King will not survive the battle. Heartbroken, she debates where her own loyalties lay. She rushes off to the battlefield. Meanwhile, her brother battles with his own demons, convinced he has made a horrible mistake, but one that can not be erased.

Act5

The princess reaches the King's tent. He has been fatally wounded, but still lives for the moment. Her brother, watching over the his adoptive father, poised to become the next King, seems more heartbroken than excited. Just when it seems the princess will let him die without knowing the truth, her brother speaks instead. He tells the king that he is prepared to die for what he has done, but only wants his forgiveness for his sins against him, so that his soul might reach the gods clean. The King grants him not only forgiveness, but also mercy. Lamenting that his bloodline ends with him, he tells the prince that he has always been a son to him, even before they had met. The princess then tells the king her final secret, that she is pregnant with his late blood son's child. He dies at peace, knowing his bloodline will continue.

Epilogue:

The brother and sister rule jointly as king and queen. The child is born a son and becomes the greatest king in all of the cities history. He ushers in a new era of order and peace. All things appear to have happened for a reason.

Queen's Rook,

I'm not interested in purchasing the play at this time. I'd rather support a work of art that is about myself. If you've an interest in doing such, I'd be willing to discuss subject matter with you.

Prince Rinaldo Montezzi

Prince Montezzi,

While a departure from my past, it may be worthwhile to expand my horizons. We would need to meet, in person though, and discuss the various details of your life. A bit of diplomacy, an added benefit. Leave word for me when you wish to meet. I've moved to the Archibald estate.

-Queen's Rook Archibald Guard