The Phantasm Sword Master

By Patrick Kiley

Characters:

Cairn Morith Sword Master A-Rank; Duke of Crystilia

Lilith Jasden Sword Master C-Rank; Duchess of Crystilia

Phantom Mysterious Swordsman

Mistress Kioren Sword Master Instructor

Holli Kioren Sword Master; Daughter of Mistress Kioren; Friend of Lilith

Mara Glenn Sword Master A-Rank, Captain of Mistress Kioren’s Class

Misters Garin and Kiseth Headmasters of the Academy

Lex Seton Sword Master Hunter-class

Ferryman

Sword Masters Male and Female Students of the Academy

Act 1; Scene 1

The Old Sword Master’s Hall

Scene opens on a dismal hall, bathed in dark, hard, yellow light that creates long, vicious, and uneven shadows upon bare marble-esque walls. A figure, dull and wiry, cloaked in all black stumbles down the path gently, his footfalls make no noise, and he is silent. The figure breaks finally into a large hall. Broken lights, rays of the sun pour in through gashes carved upon the ceiling. Explosions from the past are suddenly, inexplicably audible, though they are muffled and far away. Screams that are duller than the pale light ring in the head of the figure, his hands come up to his face. He looks out on stage. It is clear that he is older; his face shows lines of darkness, age, and stress, scars are apparent near his right eye, and on the hand, that shields the left from the light of the sun. His bark colored hair wispily blows in an unseen wind, suddenly his hand drops, as if having just had an epiphany.

Cairn distant, illusioned: I see, it is just as it was, decades tumbled not upon this domain, where so long ago… There are more shouts and screaming, the sound of violent wind and swords clanging against each other furiously becomes louder. Cairn stares behind him, looking upon everything; he turns, and starts over. This place is unchanged by over forty years of decay and waste, closed off from the world, isolated, alone. Just like the spirit, they say once dwelled in this place, unseen by all he did not wish, amok whenever he pleased, lord of his hall. How long it’s been, and still it is how we last saw it…me and her…

Suddenly the light from the ceiling is extinguished and lights from the ceiling, more dazzlingly bright than the sun spring forth, and the room is birthed anew. The floors are no longer scarred, the walls are patched, and drapes hang from all the windows. The color of the walls are no longer faded, they are bright while with swirls of gray and pigments of black, indicating the finest marble of their construction. Fallen colonnade pick themselves up and stand at attention at the walls, holding up the upper balcony and the baroque stairs they step up from. Golds, reds, and lavenders sparkle on rugs on the upper floor, and doors at each end rise from decay and desolation to become renewed. The Exhibition and Training Hall is grand, grander than it could ever have been, except in Cairn’s mind. Cairn too, with the change of scenery, has also changed; he is no longer in a state of duress and advanced age. His robes are new, and his hair is cleaned and combed. At his waist, where nothing had been before, is a sheathed blade, its hilt glints in the light. He looks around as people fill the area, sparring, talking, and carousing as if the stage had not been desolate just seconds ago. Cairn shakes his head and beings to walk to the back wall, though still visible among the others, they move forward in his void. His face is no longer a grimace, he smiles, looks around. An woman in her late thirties, long, wildly curly blond hair, and a robe the color of scarlet night, walks, sword out and in hand, center stage and looks out at her pupils. Following her are two girls, Lilith and Holli. The two stand in front of her and begin to spar, Mistress Kioren physically moves the bodies of the two into correct forms at times. In the way back, you can see Cairn stare at Lilith, as if deeply interested in her.

Mistress Kioren impatiently, as if she’s said it a million times: Holli, back straight! Forward lunges with the utmost speed and deftness! How can my own daughter be so lacking in form, when her best friend excels at a rate ten times as fast!? Holli obviously makes another wrong move as a quick hand from Mistress Kioren strikes her backside.

Holli yelps:Momma! How can you compare any of your pupils to Lilith! She’s amazing, and she learns as if she has been taught by some unseen hand, stronger than even your own. Rubs her backside, giving an odd emphasis to her own words.

Lilith humbly: Please…I am not quite that good; my skill is purely practice, nothing more….nothing more.

Mistress Kioren: Nonsense dear, you are at a skill no many here are, you rival even the male students, whose teachers see them fit enough never to watch their practices!

Training resumes for a moment, the lights die down, everyone continues except Lilith, the light on her turns brighter, she holds sword in hand has if it were a bouquet of flowers, her hands tremble, and her voice is frail.

Lilith Slight music in her words: How do I tell them? How do I say: the hand that guides mine, has seen no light of day? He’s come to me, in shadows we play. His blade dances gently, with mine we sway. And yet, I know not his name, or where he has been, the Phantom Swordmaster, and my nightly regimen.

Lilith is caught off guard, as if she had been holding the sword like that beyond the darkness of the stage. Holli is able to get Lilith on the ground in a sitting position; Mistress Kioren signals that the match is concluded.

Holli: Are you okay, Lilith? I didn’t think that you would that easily and suddenly lose focus! I didn’t mean to hurt you, is something wrong?

Lilith dreamily, still not totally focused: It is fine, Holli, I was just caught off guard; you must be getting better…

Holli: Are you sure? You look pale, even hazy.

Lilith: Yes, I am fine, I am fine, Holli. I was caught off guard, nothing more, nothing more at all.

Mistress Kioren stops their chattering with just a word and calls over all her pupils to the side of the room, the boys continue on sparring, and finally Cairn is visible once more, his face is pensive, and maybe a little worried, he still regards Lilith with one eye as he readies up to begin sparring.

Mistress Kioren: Ladies! Ladies! Gather round! As you know, one of the many exhibitions of this New Year will be taking place tonight, and I’ve been giving careful thought to who will be performing against the rival women’s division. And while many of you have been improving greatly, I believe there is only one choice, still…and that would be Mara Glenn, our Captain…

There is clapping, and two men, garbed in the robes of the highest instructors, appear from behind Mistress Kioren; they are older, and wear no swords at their belt, a further indication of their rank. Their eyes are on an extravagantly dressed female standing at the back of Kioren's group, crowded by a legion of admirers, at her beck and call.

Mistress Kioren: Ah, Misters Garin and Kiseth, you’ve come at the best possible moment! I was just announcing…

Mister Garin: We heard! We are delighted to know that our prima donna of the sword is still the best!

Mister Kiseth: Yes, yes, what would we do if we were to lose her?

A sudden loud uproar from the back of the crowd of girls ripples up to the men and the girl’s teacher. Mara Glenn breaks through violently, pushing girls to the floor where she has to, a look of indignation and fury on her face as she does. She reaches the front and throws down her sword and sash; it hits the floor sending a cacophony that diverts all eyes to her, even Cairn’s in the background.

Mara Glenn furious, shouting: Well I sure hope you can think of something to do without me…because I quit! I quit, quit, quit!

Misters Garin and Kiseth in unison: What?! Why?

Mara Glenn still raving: I’ll tell you why! I still have no had the addition made to my quarters yet! I absolutely demanded the addition of the closet space and changing area, but you out right have dragged your feet! Humph! Storms off stage far left, totally oblivious to everyone else, breaking through a line of sparring matches, causing boys to fall or be pushed out of the way.

Mister Kiseth: Oh dear…what are we going to do? There is no one that can replace Mara Glenn and still stand a chance…we’ll have to forfeit, forfeit in front of a packed house!

Mister Garin: This is dreadful…no wonder the Arch Judicator sent us to this academy, we thought we’d gotten off easy…no he delivered upon us this terrible Mara Glenn! We’re ruined Kiseth…if she quits, we’ll lose all the girls who admire her! And their beaus will leave, and we’ll be ruined!

Mistress Kioren interjecting kindly: Not so quickly should you count out my students… Lilith Jasden here can fill in for Mara she has been trained well. Lilith acknowledges herself but slinks backwards, only to be pushed forward by Holli who snickers cutely as she does it.

Mister Kiseth doubtful: Is she that good? Is she relation to, no, she can’t be related to Callum Jasden, the great Swordmaster who was once fourth seat judicator, can she?

Lilith turns only redder at the mention of her lineage, she still tries to be unseen, but Holli will not allow her to give up on this chance.

Mistress Kioren: His only daughter, his only child. When he died, he entrusted her to the school, and with that, he entrusted her to me. I have trained her well, and she seems to have some other trainer as well, someone QUITE gifted…

Mister Garin scrupulous: Indeed? Who is better than you, in instructing the ladies? Maybe you could tell us, Miss Jasden?

All eyes at the front turn now to Lilith, who feels an inch tall in front of all those eyes.

Lilith meekly: He requires that I not know his name, only his blade…

Mister Garin: A ghost teacher? Hardly a viable source of skill…but without Mara Glenn, who will be inconsolable until we can “fix” her quarters, you are our only hope…Kiseth?

Mister Kiseth: Yes, you are our hope for the ladies division; make us proud!

Lilith in surprise: Me? But, I’ve never…I’m not…I couldn’t…uhh- she nearly faints, Holli catches her quickly let she smash her head on the stone floor.

Mistress Kioren: Yes, Lilith, you will be performing for us, on center stage, for the first time, you could even do as well to earn a whole rank tonight, wouldn’t that be something?

The Entire Class in disbelief: A whole rank?!

Mistress Kioren: Yes, and I think she has earned it…and with that, class is concluded, you may return to your own.

Chatter rises from the crowd as they disperse. Light falls on Holli and Lilith as they venture down into the basement of the academy, down the hall Cairn entered from at the opening. They quickly move past some stairs, faint music is heard, from the walls. It is mournful and ethereal, as neither seems to pay notice to it.

Lilith:

How can I tell you? Holli, how can you know?

The voice that speaks to me, the sword he shows.

His breath is fire and his words are gold.

I cannot repeat, the things I’m told,

You would not believe. The way he flows.

My life it pales, the burden of woes.

Holli:

You see there, this you right now.

Never seen you once how you bow

This shadow shade, it’s in your head

His hands are dreams all in your bed.

Lilith here’s your chance, its here right now

Take up your sword and make us proud!

Lilith:

But him and now behind every shroud

Can I show to him, and make him proud?

I’ve never seen his face even when he’s near

Shadow dweller, a life of fear

An angel he in my mind’s eye

I see no more when he makes my soul fly!

Holli:

Tired you are and practice was long

Rest you should away from the thong

Now lie in bed, rest your head

No more words of swordsmen dead

No more fears sleep you tight

Lie down Lilith, and good night

Holli leads Lilith to her bed, she lies Lilith down and tucks her in, the sun outside the cell window has grown long and red, it will be just hours before the exhibition.

Lilith:

He sees me now, he taught me well

Tonight will be my foe’s true hell

For mortal grace he’s offered me

His knowledge crossing eternity

Close my eyes and rest my head

The night of the phantom, he will be fed…Lilith falls asleep, Holli exeunt

The light grows dark on the center of the cell as five Sword Master females stagger in, slightly tipsy from a pre-exhibition celebration, they are talking to themselves silently, their conversation grows close to Lilith and her sudden temporary promotion and then to other strange things that have happened in the academy in the previous weeks.

Sword Master: The ghost has been seen a lot lately, you know about him right?

Other: I’ve not heard much, I’ve been hear naught for long…

From the shadows one of the graduated men of the academy appears, having been sitting, or something more illicit, in the eave between a bed and the window. Its Lex Seton, a sword master, hunter-class. A Girl pops up from near him, tugging on his shirt. The light focuses on Lex as he ominously raises his arms, his eyes full of intensity and eagerness.

Girl: Honey…Lex dear, what are you doin’?

Lex: Quiet for a minute, doll, these girls wanna hear about the ghost. They have gotta story to hear, because he’s no ghost…he’s a devil, an abomination; a phantom. He stalks the halls, his eyes black as darkness. He knows this place like the back of his hand and can be anywhere almost instantly. You see him one minute, and the next there is nothing there. The darkest halls are his paths and the shadows, his home. This is his castle; this is HIS domain. His skin is supposed to be as white as eggshells, and his eyes glow akin to wild fire, billowing smoke that could instantly kill any man that breaths it! And his lust for blood is as great as his lust for flesh, if he captures you you’ll NEVER be seen again!

Voice wry, matter-of-factly: It is not wise to talk about things of which you don’t know, especially when the walls have ears, and you’re a loudmouth….

Lex viciously: Who’s there?! Lex unsheathes a large blade, more akin to a giant cleaver than an normal sword; he brandishes it at the shadows.

Mistress Kioren enters, sighing at Lex’s obviously overreaction

Mistress Kioren: You’d be wise to keep your wits…and your blade, at your ready…Mister Seton, if I were you…

Lex proudly: I am not afraid of your phantom, or of his “reputation,” Mistress Kioren.

Mistress Kioren: When the exhibition hall fills and when the halls empty, it’s his night. Beware your haughtiness Lex; it could be your undoing.

Lex with great ego: We shall see!

The stage darkens totally. The dorm disappears as the focus rises, up, up, up to the rafters far above, perched precariously on a wooden scarp no bigger than a foot hold and no more space than the hunch over, a figure waits looking down at the glint of blades for only a moment before his gaze turns back to Lilith. A laugh that would resonate loudly below is soft and kempt as bright eyes admire Lilith.

Voice happily, intently: Yes, we shall see, we shall see, indeed. For tonight is Lilith’s night, tonight is MY night!

Act 1; Scene 2

The Sword Master’s Hall (Night)

Night has descended in earnest on the academy. The halls once filled with light either are now in blackness, or illuminated by small recessed lighting in the ceiling. These paltry illuminations leave scraps of shadows between them. Bodies move down these passages in droves. Nameless sword masters make for the seating and balconies of the exhibition hall. All are draped in the event garb: dark black habits and cloaks. Lex Seton is one of the few stragglers not garbed properly, he wears his normal hunter garb, and regardless of the others in the hall, walks with his oversized butcher’s knife, congesting traffic further. He is accompanied by a young girl, apparently a different one than from before.

Lex darkly, annoyed: What is with all this crowding, there are enough seats for ten times this number of people, they could seat a little more effectively!

Young Girl: Lex…we could always stay behind…heh.

Lex sighing happily: Might as well, here hang a left, there’s a storage closet down this hall…

Lex and Young Girl Exeunt

The mass of people finally dies down in the halls until they are utterly empty and dark, there is n sound in them except for the whisper of music in the most dark, and deep passages of the hall. All people are in the exhibition area, all eyes are up at the center, whether they be from balcony or seating. Holli, Mistress Kioren, and Lilith stand just off in the hall adjacent from the stage. Lilith holds her blade passively with both hands, shaking nervously, taking large gulps of air as a match concludes on the stage to thunderous applause.

Lilith nervous, visibly shaken: I can’t do this, I’m not ready, I’ve not yet learned enough to do this…

Mistress Kioren patiently: My dear, if anyone is able to do this with Mara gone, it is you, now relax. Holli, calm Lilith.

Holli to Mistress Kioren: Yes, momma. Then turning to Lilith Lilith, you will do fine, just calm down, come here.

Holli holds Lilith gently. Lilith stops shaking ever so slowly and embraces her best friend back. Another roar of applause behind them indicates the close of another bout. Misters Kiseth and Garin’s voices are heard in turn off focus.

Kiseth jubilantly: And that is the close of another match, and quite a fine one it was. Congratulations to Dacklar Academy’s contestant on a job well done!

Garin: Yes, and now, before we continue on to the main event matches of the night, let us start the first tier ladies division matches!

Holli to Lilith: It’s almost your moment, Lilith, aren’t you excited? This is such an incredible moment for you! I know you’re gonna win, and then you’ll be a whole rank higher than me. You might even catch his eye…

Lilith in shame: Cairn? He would never see me, no matter how good I become. We may have grown up in the same town, but he is the heir to the dukedom, and I’m just….

Holli: The daughter of a renowned hero! You’ll definitely catch his eye, all you have to do is do your best, and he’ll be waiting for you when you’re assigned your own room!

Lilith shakes gently, looking up and around, her eyes eventually drifting out into the hall and upon the second tier of the hall’s stage. She swore for a moment she saw a swish of black and a wind cold as death rushes past them, but all except Lilith seem to pay it no mind. Lilith shivers and continues to look around, then back down the dark corridor behind them. No one lurks in sight. Time passes, matches end to matching cheer and finally the women’s division matches draw to a close. The steadiness Lilith had gained crumbles and she nervously looks out onto the stage as her match is announced.

Kiseth: And the competitor from our very own academy let me introduce the very lovely, very talented substitute prima donna: Lilith Jasden, daughter of the legendary late Callum Jasden.

Lilith freezes, unable to move, but a strong push from the back sends her stumbling out onto the stage amidst a few good-natured chuckles. Holli grins proudly as Lilith snaps back into it and takes her place.

Holli: Good luck Lil!

Lilith turning to look at Holli, grinning at last: Mmhm!

Garin: Ladies, I know you will both give your all, give these people something to see.

Kiseth: Yes, that would be marvelous, show them something to remember!

Garin with great anticipation: Begin!

Lilith and her opponent drive forward at that very moment, locked in combat. Lilith can hear the voice of her dark trainer in the back of her skull, in her own voice it speaks to her.

Lilith his voice in her mind: Back and forth, to and fro, slash, parry, step, this is all I know. Movement, deftness, fast and slow, a life of the blade, my life on show. This is my world, created through your blade. As long as you fight, my existence won’t fade.

Lilith finds herself pushed backwards. Her opponent is a lot stronger than she is, her blade hits with enough intensity to cause painful vibrations through Lilith’s arms. But Lilith can tell she is the more skilled, and shows it in a smug look of determination as she jumps back. She sighs, knowing her next move will satiate her silent and hidden spectator.

Opponent haughtily: Stopping? Are you giving up, weakling?

Lilith distant; cold: Black Lotus….style four: cross cut.

Lilith stood still as her opponent bared down on her, cockily pulling her blade up.

Opponent with confidence: Announcing your attacks won’t make them any strong… She freezes; Lilith has already passed her by, sheathing her blade. For a second time seems to stop, and the girl drops as Lilith turns around. …why…how?

Lilith calmly: There was a critical flaw in your attack style. You overpower your opponents, channeling rage into blows that don’t need skill. You lack the ability to counter attacks with no emotion.

Lilith walks over to her opponent and extends a hand; she helps the wounded girl up. Her face is happy, though burdened by the other girl’s weight.

Opponent stunned: Why, are you…helping me?

Lilith genially: We were opponents, not enemies. Quiet down and save that strength; the infirmary is quite comfortable there, you can rest.

As applause that nearly shakes the exhibition hall rings out, Lilith walks down the dark hall leading to the infirmary. Kiseth and Garin commentate off focus fading out as she walks further away.

Kiseth still in awe: Spectacular, simply, simply spectacular. Grace, style, skill, and kindness, all things we try so very hard to instill in all of our students. Give another round of applause for Miss Jasden!

Garin enthusiastically: Now, if you please, we will begin the male division finals for tonight… His voice fades from Lilith’s ears as she makes it too far to hear exhibition hall.

Lilith’s steps are the only audible sounds in the hall. Occasionally there will be a slight wind down the winding corridor, but nothing else. Finally, Lilith arrives at the infirmary. She seats her opponent at the bench near the woman working on the other defeated. Lilith merely smiles as the nurse shoots her a smile of her own. Vacating the area with not a moment to spare, Lilith walks down the halls briskly, making short turns and quick glances behind her back. Her destination is a secret one; no one must see her, no one. She passes by a hall of doors, leading to various offices in the academy. Far past them, down three more halls, all devoid of windows and just barely lit stood the large, barred door that leads to the chapel, a place few people beside Lilith have ever stepped foot in. However, without a moment of hesitation, she pushed the door open and hurries down the many winding tiny steps to the altar, darkened, almost black. She kneels at the small brass table and lights one candle, creating endless eerie shadows to dance on the walls

Lilith softly pleading: I light a candle, so shadows may allow your presence. Speak to me, speak to me praise, or scold me like a child, but speak to me, please, anything.

A Voice, invisible, comes from all around her it is warm and inviting.

Voice: You have done well my child. Calm yourself, and be mild, for you have done well, my child.

Lilith begging still: Pray, speak again to me, so little I hear your voice, even after all these months of coaching me. Pray, speak to me kind voice!

Voice: Child, patience. Words will come in time. Tonight, your personal room will be made in hall 42A; I will appear to you there, as my voice appeared to you in the dormitory. We will continue our training. You will be more than just a woman; you will be a champion, MY champion. Now retire…

The voice’s ring disappears totally; Lilith looks around but cannot locate it. She sits at the altar still, for a moment more before standing. The door behind her opens and Holli rushes in, ecstatic and worried at the same time.

Holli overexcited: Lil! There you are Lil! I have been looking all over for you! What are you doing down here? They’re looking for you; you need to see your new room. I passed it looking for you. Oh, Lil it’s gorgeous, and there are gifts in it everywhere, including a bouquet from “you know who!” I checked the tag personally!

Lilith shocked: Really? Cairn sent me a gift? He saw me? He noticed ME?! I can’t, I don’t believe it! Take me to my room Holli, I want to see the gift, I want to hold something held!

Holli leads Lilith from the cold altar room down the halls to the new chambers. The candle in the altar room is put out by a soft cool wind rushing in from a shaft in the floor near it.

Holli: So what is Cairn like, what was he like growing up?

Lilith gushing: He was amazing, so handsome, and kind. He would sit overlooking the shore with me, on the balcony of his father’s estate, and we would watch the sunset. He would hold me when it got cold and I shivered. It was a magical time. Before my father died.

Holli growing too inquisitive: And what of your amazing teacher? Who is he, what is he like?

Lilith reproachfully: I, he, I mean he is…amazing, I just can’t, I don’t know what to say about him. He’s beyond words. Look we’re here!

Lilith finds solace in the fact they have come to a brightly lit hallway, thronged with gift-givers and well-wishers clamoring at what was to become Lilith’s room quite shortly. Misters Garin and Kiseth stand at the door looking through the cloud of people finally spotting Lilith, waving her over with great enthusiasm, as if she was the only one who could quell the crowd.

Kiseth with vigor: Miss Jasden, come here, come here, come, and see your new room. A B-Rank member of the academy deserves no less. And after your performance tonight, no one could deny you this honor. Come see, it’s already furnished with all your effects, plus the many, many more you have accrued from fans in the short time you have been away!

Garin quickly: Come right this way. Ushers her into the room. You will be quite comfortable here, I assure you this is the best room that was open.

Garin and Kiseth make great haste in leaving, closing the door on the others, Holli managed to squeeze past as they did. Mistress Kioren sits upon the posh seat near a gold painted vanity, looking quite smug.

Mistress Kioren with satisfaction: What did I tell you? I think you underestimate yourself and your teachers, Lilith. I expect this will not be the last time you are so celebrated. I must take my leave…

Mistress Kioren Exeunt

Holli speaking up: So? Can you tell me? About him? Your master.

There is a knock on the door; Holli hesitates until the knock becomes caustic. She opens it wide, it is Cairn

Cairn with apprehension: Is…is this Lilith’s room?

Holli knowing she should away: Oh, hello, Cairn, please, she’s this way, I’ll leave you two.

Holli exeunt

Cairn graciously: Lili… little Lili! It is you. I thought I would never see little Lili again, that she had disappeared all those years ago. When I came here and found you too were a student, I was dumbfounded. She who was always unsure of whether she liked chocolates, or kittens, or sunsets, or swords…

Lilith reminiscently: …or walks on the veranda, or strolls on the shore, or the profession of her father…

Cairn relieved: Now I am sure it is you….wait here, I will call my father’s chauffeur, we will take a craft to the shore, and walk along the beach, then I’ll take you into the heart of the city and we shall celebrate your night!

Lilith fearfully: Wait…Cairn no. I can’t, I have…

Cairn scrutinizing: What else could be more important than celebration?

Lilith shamefully: My teacher…he will not accept this late night excursion. He has strict rules; he is a harsh master to those who disobey…

Cairn uncaring: I will not keep you long, wait here…

Cairn exeunt

Lilith still fearful: He will not be pleased…

Voice from all around; harsh: Insolent fool, trying to partake in your victory. Trying to partake in my night! No worry, we shall depart before he returns, the door is locked…no prepare to depart…I will be with you momentarily…

There is a loud click as the Voice fades away. The door has been barred with locks whose handles do not appear on either side of the door. The superfluous lights of the room go out; Lilith is left bathed in only the light of her vanity as the scene ends.