G: I can always trust you to defend me, Sir Pace. My most loyal, my most ruthless…

P: Goswin…

G: Hm?

P: I am not your dog. Tell me you know this.

G: Oh, vicious heart, are you not? You come to my beck. You guard my life with yours. You take every command like gospel, and you look at me with such unmatched devotion—

P: [GROWLS] Goswin—

G: Who am I to you, my knight? Remind me, lest we both forget. 

P: [HESITATES] My prince. My lord.

G: That’s right. And you are nothing if not devout, aren't you?

P: [DAZED] …Yes.

G: And you want to please your lord, do you not?

P: [BREATHIER] Yes. 

G: Down. 

[PACE KNEELS IMMEDIATELY, THEN EXHALES, TROUBLED BY HIS OWN EAGERNESS]

G: [TRIUMPHANT] Good boy. 

P: My lord… please. Tell me you understand. 

G: You’ve given me little reason to deny the truth, Pace. If you did not behave like a dog, perhaps things would be different. But you cannot deny your nature, can you? [SMIRKING] A tamed beast.

P: [INTENSE] I am sworn to you, my lord, but I serve also my god, and the code of chivalry, and the knighthood, and—

G: And yet, here you are, kneeling for me despite your injuries, puffing and ragged, seeking me like fucking communion. [STROKES PACE’S FACE] Tell me, is your god so generous with you as I am? So merciful? 

P: I—

G: And do you dedicate yourself nearly as much, nearly as eagerly in prayer as all those moments of worship you give to me, all those calls of your god’s name while offering your body to me? 

P: I fear you may be losing your head, my lord. 

G: [WILD CHUCKLE] All the times I should’ve had you in the stocks and let you in my bed instead… all of those times I invited you to such privilege, all the grace I bestowed upon you, all the forgiveness for your debasing, your disrespect, your-your gluttony… Did you confess them? Our days and nights spent closer than close? Have you begged your god’s forgiveness for losing your path? Or have you taken blessings knowing what stains, what messy artwork my hands have shaped upon you?

P: Prince Goswin, you are running mad with a sharp blade. Careful your recklessness does not see you impaled upon it—

G: [HARSHLY] One more profane word against me, knight, and I shall have a gallows crafted to your exact form. Heaven knows I know it well enough. 

P: [HEAVY BREATH] 

G: [CALMER, TOUCHING PACE’S NECK] Though… perhaps a collar would suit your neck better than a noose. You would wear it pretty, surely, though I hardly think it necessary. Everyone already knows you’re my hound, yourself included. 

P: [GRUNTING AND HUFFING] You may be my charge, but my duty sworn is to this kingdom, and to honour and goodness—

G: Pace. [PAUSE, THEN LAUGH] That’s what I thought. [KISS] You nearly killed a man for me today, all because he spoke ill of me. I have never been more proud of you. 

P: [BREATHY] You forget yourself, sire. 

G: As do you, it seems. 

P: This is not you. This bloodlust and blasphemy… something wicked has come over you. 

G: [HUMS] And what does it say of you that you’re so aroused by it as you are?

P: You’re mistaken.

G: The rush of blood through you right now says otherwise. 

P: [MUMBLE, LOST IN BREATH] There was plentiful excitement today. It lingers. 

G: Show me, my blade. Give it to me.

[KISSING, GRABBING, STUMBLING] 

[BED CREAKS, GRINDING, GOSWIN GIGGLES]

[BOTH MOANING, CLOTHES FUMBLING AND TEARING]

G: Ravenous thing—

P: Shut up and turn over. 

G: Now, is that any way to speak to your lord? 

P: Gosw—[CHOKES AND GAGS]

G: [HUMS, CHUCKLES] I see now why you’re always shoving your fingers in my mouth now. That’s fun. 

P: [PULLS BACK, COUGHS, GLOWERS] If you want me to show you my excitement, sire, it will not be tame.

G: Nor would I expect it to be. I know you well enough by now, Pace. I know how you fuck, and how you like to play with control. [RUNNING HIS HANDS THROUGH PACE’S HAIR] But remember who holds the real power here, hm? The only reason any of this happens is because I want it, because I allow you the privilege to take me as you do, and I could rescind that permission just as easily and leave you to suffer adrift and lonesome. 

P: I don’t think you could bear to do that. You’d be left lonesome too. 

G: I’m the prince, Pace. I could have anyone I wanted. Right now, I want you, and only you, and I will give you what you ache for, but only because I want it, too—not because you steal it or mine it from me, not because you wrest it from me, not because you hold the power here, not because you deserve any part of it. Only because I want you like this. I want you. Take that gift with grace. 

P: [DAZZLED] Yes, my prince. 

G: That’s a good boy.

[SHIFTING]

G: Kneel, Sir Knight.

P: [KNEELS]

G: Do you promise your service to this kingdom and take me as your prince?

P: Aye, my lord, I swear my body, blade, and life in service of thee and thine lands, for the protection and glory thereof, until death or my liege release me.

G: Rise, Sir Pace of Ellísion, arm of the royal guard and servant of Dulcedram, and step forth to take your pledge seal.

[RISING, STEPS FORWARD]

[NECKLACE BEING PLACED]

P: [WHISPERING CLOSE] And every moment we are in the public eye, I am yours to command. You have my very soul at your fingertips.

G: [GASPING, WHISPERING BACK] Pace…

P: I will kneel for you, kill for you, bleed for you. 

G: We can’t do this here…

P: Your word is the only thing I know. And at night, I'll bring you back to our bed and put you on your knees, teach you what prayer really is. Your body will be mine to worship. Every inch brought to pleasure until you're shaking beneath my hands, pleading with me. And once you've given me everything you have, I will smile and do it once more, until you are crying my name like it's your God's, like it's the only word you have left. This is my oath to you, my liege.

G: [SHUDDERING BREATH] 

[CROWD MURMURING]

THISTLE: [BELLS JINGLE] They certainly are taking their honey-sweet time up there.

NYMANDUS: Ja. Do you think they have forgotten the rest of us are here?

T: I doubt it. I think that’s part of it for them. 

N: Part of what?

T: Notice the quickened breath in the shoulders and the clouded look upon the face of our Prince Goswin. 

N: Scheiße. You do not think that they are—?

T: Playing hide the sword in their spare time? [LAUGH] Oh, I’d put money on it. 

N: I do not believe it. Sir Pace, he is… thorny. He would not. 

T: One letter too many there.

N: Wie bitte?

T: Three crowns says they are.

N: I am not a gambling man, Thistle. 

T: Alright. [JINGLE] Five crowns. 

N: [SHORT HESITATION] Ja, alright, okay. Only yes because I am confident that you are wrong. 

T: [GIGGLE] A confident knight is a powerful thing, Sir Nym. 

G: [ADDRESSING THE ROOM, FLUSTERED] Th-Thank you all for your attendance, friends and courtiers. Uh… you are all dismissed. 

[CROWD CHATTERING, WALKING]

N: He looks unwell. Perhaps a fever. 

T: [TICKLED] Aye, something like that, I’m sure. 

GOSWIN: I bet that armour is rather uncomfortable on the nethers, what with the leather straps and all—then again, maybe the pressure is stimulating. What do you find, knight?

PACE: The armour isn't really an aphrodisiac for anyone but you.

G: Oh please, like you don't notice the way the young maidens faun over you when you're patrolling about town. Women and men and all folk of the kingdom alike adore you, helmet-for-brains.

P: I, uhm... thanks, I think?

G: Are you blushing, sir knight?

P: I'm... confused. Gettin' a lot of mixed messages here, my lord.

G: Mmm, I get it. You like being praised, don't you? Just can't admit it because you're oh-so-humble. How sweet.

P: [SCOFFS] As if you'd be capable of giving anyone praise that wasn't backhanded or secretly about yourself.

G: Is that a challenge?

P: [SARCASTIC] Sure, why not. Be my guest. Shower me in flattery—I'm sure I'll remain perfectly dry.

[GOSWIN GIGGLES]

P: Oh, grow up.

G: Well... it's not like it's a secret you're big and strong, one of the biggest and strongest knights in all the kingdom.

P: Oh would you like at that, there's a caterpillar on the windowsill—

G: And you're quite noble, always the lionheart bravely charging into danger. And you're very gentle when you want to be, and considerate, and kind. You always ensure others are cared for before yourself and demand nothing in return. Even though you're stubborn as all hell, it's actually rather endearing, as is the way you appreciate music, and the way you treat all creatures with compassion and dignity, and how unflinchingly you cling to the notion that everything will work out, even as everything is going to hell around you. You're charming and funny when you're not being a sourpuss, and I guess you're not too hard on the eyes, helmet or no. And you somehow manage to put up with me all the time, and still remain virtuous and honourable, which is no small feat. You're the closest thing I've ever had to a friend and you stay by my side even though you could just as easily have anyone in the kingdom, could find someone much nicer and sweeter and better than me, but… you stay. [PAUSE] Perhaps that's more of a character flaw than a compliment, though.

[PAUSE, GOSWIN CLEARS HIS THROAT]

G: Ahem. Well, there you are. Consider your challenge met, and don't let it be said that I've never given you a kind word. But don't go goring your ego on it, or I shall have to take it all back.

P: [STUNNED] Goswin...

G: What?

[P KISSES G, G SQUEAKS IN SURPRISE, THEN KISSES BACK]

[KISS BREAKS]

G: [PANTING] Sir Pace... are you quite alright?

P: [EARNEST, HEATED] You listen to me. You are not just a curse on my life. Maybe you used to be, a little, but as I've come to know you I've found there is much more, so very much more to you than the snark you hide behind, and... well, as much as I wish it were otherwise, I like you, and I care about you. You're sharp, and poetic, and affectionate, in your own way. I've come to appreciate things I never would have had you not shared your inner self with me, and for both things I am grateful. You are my friend, and I—

G: [LAUGHING] Yeah, that’s great. Stop talking.

GOSWIN: Guard!

[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES]

[ARMOURED FOOTSTEPS]

PACE: [MUFFLED BY HELM] Yes, my lord—? Whoa. Heaven hang me. 

G: What’s your problem?

P: Sire… you are not wearing any clothes.

G: Untrue, I’m wearing my braies.

P: [LAUGHING] Braies are not clothes. 

G: Tsh. Well if they’re not clothes, then what are they? Tools? Toys?

P: They are underclothes. They go underneath.

G: That has the word “clothes” right in it—are you arguing with me?

P: [MORE FORMAL] Uh, no, Your Highness. What is it you require of me?

G: I need help deciding on an outfit for the banquet tonight. 

P: You… want me… to help you choose what to wear?

G: Yes. Why did you say it like that?

P: I… my lord, would this duty not be better fulfilled by a maid?

G: Oh, so you’re scandalised by the sight of me in my underclothes but you’d rather one of the maids see me undressed? Sure, much more appropriate, that. Good work, knight. 

P: I only meant—

G: Are you not used to attending these types of silly functions yourself, being of your rank?

P: Not as a prince. 

G: [CURIOUS] We have met before, haven’t we? I recognise your voice, but I don’t remember your name.

P: Sir Pace, my lord. 

G: [CRACKING UP A LITTLE IN DISBELIEF] Sorry, Sir Piss?

P: [HEAVY SIGH] Sir Pace. P-A-C-E. 

G: Ah, and he’s literate! Very good. What family do you come from, Sir Pace?

P: I am not a nobleman. 

G: Really? A literate peasant. An orphan, then? Have you come from the monastery? 

P: No, sire. My father was a leathersmith and my mother a weaver. 

G: I see. Rose through the ranks from the bottom, did you? Got in as somebody’s page, earned the Crown’s affections somehow?

P: Aye, sire. 

G: Hm. Was it my mother or my father who appointed you to the guard?

P: Twas the Queen. 

G: Tsh. There’s a surprise. Hard to believe you weren’t specially assigned to guard her body.

P: I beg your pardon?

G: Beg all you like. [FABRIC RUSTLING] Well, weaver’s boy—blue or lavender?

P: [SIGH, PAUSE] Blue. It goes better with your complexion. 

G: Does it now?

P: My previous assignment was to Dame Alina of Reidligne. She and her lady companions would talk about seasons of beauty. Harmonious palettes. I believe you’d be a winter. Do the blue. 

G: [INTRIGUED] You are very very interesting, Sir Pace. 

P: Um… thank you?

G: Accompany me tonight.

P: [AWKWARD CHUCKLE] You jest.

G: Not if you’ll actually do it. 

P: I cannot, my lord. I have duty tonight. The guard is short-staffed.

G: Short-staffed? With the likes of you around? [SMALL CHUCKLE]

[PAUSE]

G: [SOUR] That bit was a jest. [PAUSE] Get it? Because you’re tall. 

P: I understood, sire. Very amusing. 

G: What is your assignment tonight?

P: Guarding the Great Hall. 

G: And after the banquet?

P: I am posted on the north eastern turret. 

G: Hm. Switch with Sir David. 

P: …Why?

G: Because he is scheduled to be posted outside my chamber tonight. 

[PAUSE] 

P: I… I don’t…

G: You don’t what? Don’t want to follow a direct order? 

P: Uh…

G: Serpent got your tongue, Sir Guard? 

P: I will inform the Captain and Sir David of your request, my lord. 

G: Mm. Good boy. Now, get going—unless you want to see me really undressed. 

[HESITATION]

G: [CHUCKLE, UNDRESSING] You don’t seem in an awful hurry. 

P: Um—good day, Your Highness.

[BOWS AND HURRIES OUT]