Scene 7

The Great Isle. EYRIENA's palace garden. EYRIENA sits, reading a book.

EYRIENA: (reading) "And what did the queen say to him? Gazing at him with a mixture of bitter disappointment and wistful anger, she said 'Begone! You have lied to me and cheated me, and through me, my people. You are not worthy to be in my presence. I do not know why I trusted you. Leave now, and never return.'" ... I remember how Father used to read me this when I was a girl. It was one of the ways he taught me not to lie. He taught me many things by reading me books. Of course, I could read, too, but he did it so well. He did voices for all the different characters, and when he read a description I could almost see the scene open before my eyes. I don't have Father now, but stories remain the same. They take me to places I've never been to and could never hope to see. I remember reading about the place that the author called Earth. Earth had so many great cities: London and Paris, Athens and Rome. But then evil men came and took over the civilizations to which these cities belonged. They ruined them. They ruined them! Oh, how did the Earthlings survive with evil men as their rulers? This is another reason we should fight evil. Civilizations turn to rot, generations are wasted when evil rules the land. And often evil comes in disguise. Keep your eyes sharp, good men of Earth. Watch for the evil that disguises itself.

Enter DIERN.

DIERN: Who are you talking to, my lady?

EYRIENA: No one.

DIERN: You seemed to be involved in a great conversation there.

EYRIENA: Just with myself.

DIERN: Oh.