h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

*follows*

Excuse me! Sir!

[man] Yes?

Sir we really need to borrow your cart-it's urgent.

[man] Do I know you?

No , but we're from the magician's guild- *getures in the direction.* but that's not important. Someone's been injured.

[man] Injured you say? Well that's too bad. But you really can't have my cart I've got to unload it, see?

Look If you let us borrow it we'll help you unload it.

[man]*looks dboutful* you will bring it back though?

Yes, yes we'll bring it back. But we really should be quick, it's important we get her back.*grabs some sacks and piles them next to the stall.*

*helps to start unloading the cart*

Quickly now

*The man glances nervously from Calel to Kyara.*
[man]You're sure you are from the magician's guild?

*Piles the last of the supplies on the stall.*
Certain.

*Grabs the handle of the cart and starts pushing*

We'll bring it back.

*The man looks worried but doesn't try to stop them.*

*grabs one of the handles and help to push the cart*

*shouts back at the old man

Thanks

*They pass through with the cart.*

*follows*

<can someone give me the link to where we are going please*

*walks briskly into the market, looking around for Polonius.*

*Two old wives are shopping for their week's foodstuffs when they bump into each other.*

[Wife 1] Oh, Mildred! How are you?

[Mildred] Things have been better, Betty, you should know that. Hmmm.

[Betty] Yes, with all these horrid things happening its a wonder we still have money for bread!

[betty] Its a wonder we even have the bread!

[Mildred] Ooh yes, it's atrocious.

[Betty] Hmmm. Well, if the city got its act together and got us a proper King, instead of that Steward, then maybe things would be better.

[Mildred] Oh but Betty, didn't you hear?

[Betty] Hear what?

[Mildred] That young Warrior on the council has taken over the city! I heard from Cecilia, who heard from her husband's cousin whose friend is in the guard -

[Betty] You mean the one who smokes the -

[Mildred] Yes, the one who smokes that. Yes, him. Anyway, I heard that he overheard the Captain and that Warrior woman -

[Betty] That...Elander Pavl, was it?

[Mildred] Something like that, yes. She suddenly comes back to the city after all this time and what with that Craxus gone and no King and no one to take their places, she's upped herself and now *she's* in charge!

[Betty] Shocking!

*A third woman joins them*

[Wife 3] Oh, but it was her place to take over. She's a true woman of Imardin, so I hear!

[Mildred] Jane, you always were the soft one. She's probably gotten all these funny foreign ways. I hear that's where she was, you know.

[Betty] Oh yes, and that business with her man surely didn't help.

[Jane] It's all beside the point, she's on the throne rightfully, you know! It says that as High Lady she's allowed to take over the throne if there's no heir!

[Mildred] Then how come that lovely man Craxus didn't, hmm?

[Betty] Oh, he was lovely, wasn't he? My daughter had the largest crush on him.

[Jane] *sigh* I need to go get some guril berries for Stephen. You know how he gets if I dont' get everything he wants!

[Mildred] Not as bad as my Jon, I'll bet. I'll see you two later, then. I've got to get some milk!

[Betty] Hmm, yes.

*they all wander off*

*The King's Steward walks distastefully into the market. People slowly recognise him for who he is, and part around him.

He climbs up onto a wall so he can see the entire square.*

[Steward] If I can have your attention, please!

*nothing happens. People aren't used to being ordered in this way.*

[Steward] SILENCE!

*silence slowly falls. He unrolls the scroll with a sense of ceremony.*

[Steward] I come from the Palace and I bear tidings of our new ruler! Hear these words!

"Citizens of Imardin. Times have been especially hard for all of us in these past years. You have been without true leadership. I implore you to be grateful to the Steward and the Captain of the Guard for the strength they have had to continue defending our fair city.
"But the time for true leadership has come. Desperate times call for desperate measures and as such I have assumed the throne.
"I will grant audiences to those who require it. Do not see me as an unapproachable monarch. I am to serve you.
"I, High Warrior Elandra Pawel, am a servant to duty and loyalty to the city and will act as such!"

*the roar of the audience - criticisms, confusion, and approval all mixed together - almost drowns out his last words. He rolls up the scroll and marches off, throwing off any questions people try to ask him.*

[Random citizen] What does she think she's playing at?

[2] I think she's got guts. Imagine taking over without even asking! Hah! Kudos to her!

[3] She'll rot in hell for this!

[4] You shut your mouth. Elandra Pawel's a city's woman. You heard what she said.

[3] What the steward said, you mean. She couldn't even be bothered to come here.

[4] Yes but she thought of us! There was a time when they wouldn't even tell us. Theyd just let us get the back end of all the rumours.

[1] Ah, hellrot. The old times were the best times. Things are only going to get worse, now.

[3] Too right!

[4] Both of you have had too much stinking ale. She's going to fix everything up. Didn't you see that army last night? She and their commander all chummy and friendly. She's defending us!

[3] Defending us by slipping into bed with some foreign army man? Damn defending if you ask me!

[2] Whatever works, works! You wont be complaining of that if those guys outside save /your/ hide.

[3] Stinking pigs, the lot of them. I'm getting an ale.

[1] I'm joining you. Gah.

*1 and 3 wander off, leaving 2 and 4 standing irritated.*

*Lumien makes her way through the marketplace, trying not to attract suspicion. She finds a small alley out-of-the-way, and sits on some crates. She hugs her knees and breathes deeply, trying desperately to calm herself down. Eventually, she hears two male voices float over the din to her.*

[1] So you've found her. Where is she?

[2] Well, I /found/ her...

[1] You don't know where she is.

[2] Not as much, you see, she put up a fight... and I sorta had to... you know, calm her down before I could give her the stuff... and these two other mages showed up...

[1] *Hissing* The Guild has her?!?

[2] Well, they don't know what happened, now do they? All it is is a matter of time before she gets panicky and runs.

[1] Even so... set up listening posts. I want to know where and when she runs, so I can be waiting with arms wide open...

*The voices fade away into the marketplace hubub, leaving Lumien even more confused.*

*starts out again searching for Lady Lumien*