Page 64 - KTUDELL E-LIT | Issue 4 - January 2025

2025 PLAY
Baker Eliza:
How could such horror come to be?
Hunter William:
A killer lurks, as plain to see.
Sister Margret:
This reeks of Demon’s wicked deed, sin and But why did Eliza die in vain?
darkness, hate and greed.
Mortician Edmund:
Enough of devils and their name,
This act is human—clear as flame.
Healer Agnes:
A slash so deep upon his throat,
Death’s mark is as sure as one can note.
Tailor Eleanor:
But who could wield such deadly art?
Who tore this life and broke this heart?
Knight Alaric:
We’ll meet at Peter’s inn to plan,
For now, prepare the funeral, man.
(Villagers gather at the inn and the tension rises.)
Innkeeper Peter:
Who here dares such a crime to commit?
Let the truth be spoken—no lies or wit!
Baker Eliza:
What fate befell poor Thomas here?
Who cast this village into fear?
Magician Rose:
Devil or killer, I care not still,
The world turns dark, as is its will.
Farmer Anne:
What! My son means nothing to you? How could
you speak such words that are untrue?
Young Helen:
Someone must have seen a clue—
A shadow, a voice, a hint of who!
Healer Agnes:
Enough of demons, that’s pure lore,
We need the truth, and nothing more.
Baker Eliza:
We need a name to end this plight,
A guilty face to bring to light.
Hunter William:
No more bickering, cease this talk!
Let actions speak as shadows stalk.
Farmer Anne:
(Clutches her chest)
Without my son, my life’s undone,
What purpose is left beneath the sun?
(All villagers disperse to their homes.)
Act II: The Second Murder
(The bells ring again. The villagers are gathered in
the square. Sister Margret is praying between two
dead bodies. On one side is the body of Farmer Anne,
and on the other lifeless body of Baker Eliza.)
Sister Margret:
O Mighty God, These deaths weigh too great,
Guide these lost souls through Heaven’s gate.
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Knight Alaric:
(approaching the body)
Farmer Anne, in grief for her son so dear,
Could bear no more and ended it here.
Innkeeper Peter:
She fell to grief, yes, that is plain,
Healer Agnes:
(pointing to Eliza’s still body)
A dagger pierced her heart so deep,
A wound too cruel for peace to keep.
Hunter William:
(with a thoughtful look)
A strike of vengeance, fierce and clear,
The kind that only hatred steers.
Mortician Edmund:
How can you tell from a wound alone,
What vengeance speaks or hatred’ tone?
Hunter William:
The blade speaks truths to hunters trained,
Its marks and edges are not feigned.
Magician Rose:
Why so poetic? What need for flair?
Death is death; we all despair.
Tailor Eleanor:
(quietly approaches Baker Eliza and touches the dress)
I sewed this dress with my own hand,
How beautiful it looked, so grand.
But now it’s soaked in crimson stain,
Oh, who could cause such grief and pain?
(Sister Margret places a comforting hand on Tailor
Eleanor’s shoulder.)
Healer Agnes:
(Showing a note in her hand)
A letter left by Farmer Anne, see here:
Her final words were so full of fear.
Farmer Anne and Healer Agnes:
Without my son, there’s no light to be,
Young Thomas, I come to join thee.
Wait for me in a peaceful land,
Together again, hand in hand.
Sister Margret:
Our God whispers this to me:
The Devil’s at work; none shall go free.
Young Helen:
(looking around nervously)
She speaks so coldly, her tone a knife.
Could this be true? Could it cost my life?
Mortician Edmund:
(examining the bodies, pulling a necklace from Eliza’s
form.)
Once more, I am doing my job,
Where the secrets start to blob.
Magician Rose:
But we are still alive; why cry and shout?
Death comes for all, of this there’s no doubt.