Synopsis
Prologue – a clearing deep within the forest
The fairest and most beautiful creatures of the forest gather to perform an ancient ritual. The Raven, the harbinger of death, casts his ominous gaze upon the creatures as they process before him. Only the fairest and most beautiful of all will be chosen by the Raven to dance before the Hunters, pacifying their lustful rage for death.
A long time ago, the Hunters sought to rule the forest. Through the Raven’s deception, many forest creatures rejected The Lord of The Realm and fought to place the Hunters upon the throne, but the cost was too great for the forest to bear. The Hunters would consume all life and thereby all beauty and fairness.
To avert total annihilation, a compromise was made. At the appointed time, a perfect substitute, without blemish, most beautiful and fair, would be presented to the Hunters in exchange for the life of the entire forest. The Lord of The Realm would withdraw afar to The Crystal City and send stewards to administer order throughout the forest. In exchange, the Hunters would not rule, but a title would be granted to them as a standing interest in the forest until such a time that this title could be fulfilled and the interest completely satisfied. Until that time, the beauty and fairness of the forest will continue to fade. The forest is dying.
Acte I – the grand ball
Exhilaration fills the air. A grand celebration is underway. The Grand Ball has been called. The displays of such wealth and grandeur are extraordinary. All the realm’s subjects have been called to present themselves before the prince at The Castle Great, but a faint whisper of dissent wafts through the air. The Great Throne has sat empty for a long time. Some question the intentions of The Lord of the Realm.
After a lively waltz, the trumpets sound signaling the arrival of the Royal Court from The Crystal City. Scribes, Knights, Lords and Ladies all present themselves before the realm’s subjects. The infant prince is brought forth and all show obeisance. The royal Heralds disperse amongst the subjects, instructing all in the correct way to present themselves before the infant prince.
The elephants present a story of fruitful love. The diligent beavers give gifts of great craftmanship. The royal guard displays a vigorous dance. The noble tiger is magnificent to behold. A race between a squirrel, a turtle, and a hare offers a bit of evening entertainment for the castle’s guests. The clever foxes display their cunning skills. A jolly ole bear gets into a bit of trouble with a hive of bees. Morning doves soothe the soul with their delicate song. Rowdy horses cause a disruption and gallop off into the setting sun in a great stampede. The mysterious owls descend from their lofty perches to see what stirs the whole forest so. A silly donkey livens the mood with his jests.
Suddenly, the Raven appears in shrouded array and seems to pay homage to the infant prince. Through his crafty words and mischievousness, he stirs the entire castle into an uproar, pitting the forest creatures against one another. His attempt to steal away the infant prince is thwarted when the owls vanish with the child. The castle’s uproar is calmed by the donkey who seems to cast a magical spell that makes everyone dance until all have succumbed to the dream world.
The owls take the infant prince and his stewardess deep into the forest. There they present the child with the star of the forest – the Heart of Fire. With this gift, perhaps one day the forest can be restored. They linger only for a moment then softly they take flight, leaving them to their forest refuge. A mother’s lullaby woos the child to sleep and fills the air with an ancient melody of hope.
Acte II – a common village within the forest
30 years have passed, and we find ourselves at a common village within the forest. The harvest has arrived. The days of feasting and celebration are at hand. The village is bustling. A peculiar commoner has aroused curiosity from the surrounding villages. Many have come to see for themselves if the tales they have heard are true. So too have such tales reached the Raven’s ears. Disguised, he attends the harvest feast.
After the last gleaners from the fields arrive, the celebrations begin. Among the gleaners is this peculiar commoner who seems to be the center of attention. He is coaxed into leading the harvest dance. The Raven, intrigued by what he has seen, revels in his find and scurries off to warn the Hunters.
After the dance, the villagers continue to prepare for the evening feast, but this peculiar commoner takes notice of a group of children dancing. The dancing is lively, but one cannot help but notice their many infirmities. Moved with compassion for them, this peculiar commoner assists them in their dance. All are filled with wonder, amazement, and elation to see each infirmity removed from the children, never to return. All rejoice and then settle down around the harvest table to feast. They are all astonished by the events that have transpired and all the goodness of this peculiar commoner.
But their joy turns to terror when the distant drums of the Hunters are heard. Swiftly the Hunters and their entourage descend upon the village, wreaking havoc. They round up all the villagers and demand they produce a champion to dance The Dominion or be annihilated. This peculiar commoner accepts their challenge and is victorious. But the Raven is despicable and threatens to kill the children if this commoner does not surrender. He surrenders to the Hunters, and the villagers flee into the night.
The Hunters bind this commoner and begin to make sport of him. All the wicked things of the forest descend upon the village to revel in their capture and to conjure up their murderous deed. While the Wicked parade him around, this commoner is calm and steadfast. Of his own volition he gives himself up. Witches foretell of his impending death. Corrupted judges condemn him to death. He is hung from a post like a pig ready for the slaughter. With great clamor, the Great Sword is brought forth by the Raven and plunged into the body of this commoner. Alas! Here their true intentions are revealed. The Raven tries to take control of the Heart of Fire, but when the star’s light fades into darkness, the Raven’s hope is extinguished.
Enraged, the Raven sounds the horns of war. He summons all the Wicked to his side and like thieves in the night, they rampage through the forest towards The Castle Great – the last stronghold of the faithful. Since he cannot rule over the forest, he will annihilate it so that no one can rule it.
Acte II, Scène III – besieging the castle’s walls
The forest is burning and the last of the faithful creatures are held up at The Castle Great. The rage of the Wicked’s army is severe. The faithful are buckling. In a desperate attempt to lift the siege, the faithful sally forth from the castle to meet the Wicked on the field of battle. Twice the Wicked’s cavalry charge and exact heavy casualties on the faithful. With the last vestiges of hope hanging in the balance, the Wicked sound a third charge.
Suddenly, the trumpets of The Crystal City resound. The army of the Crystal City arrives to restrain the Wicked’s advance. Behold! The peculiar commoner is revealed as the exiled prince; not dead but living, the commander of the army of The Crystal City. With all authority and power, he extinguishes the rage of the Wicked and crushes all weapons of war under his feet. With the power of the Heart of Fire, he raises all the True and Faithful unto himself. He banishes the Raven forever into the Nether Realm and subjugates the Hunters.
Acte II, Scene IV – Coronation
With resounding praise and exaltation, the once exiled prince is crowned King. All the sacrifices of the fairest and most beautiful from all the ages stand before him alive, their fairness and beauty glorified beyond imagination. All creatures faithful to the prince shine brighter than a thousand stars, for the King has renewed all things well, and nothing is without stunning beauty and fairness.
Once crowned, the King lights from his throne and once again adorns himself among his people to dance and rejoice. For the King’s heart has always been for his people and the people for the King.