The False Prince

By Jennifer A. Nielsen

X X X X Tobias Roden Sage

X Conner

Narrator

Narrator: We are presenting a scene from The False Prince, a fantasy story about a fifteen year old orphan , Sage, who has “volunteered” along with three other orphan boys for Conner’s elaborate plan. He is a nobleman and hopes to groom one of the boys to be the lost prince so he may gain power. Sage is very cunning and has already tried to escape twice. Conner, is read by______. Sage, the clever orphan, is read by______. Tobias, a book- smart orphan, is read by______, and Roden, another shrewd orphan, is read by______. The group stops to eat and Conner asks the boys to come gather around because he wants to talk. He lets them know that they are free to leave, so Latamer, the 4th orphan decides to go. He is killed by an arrow piercing his chest right in front of the other boys. Conner continues the conversation.

Conner: I’m sure Latamer’s death is a shock to you, but it was important for you three to understand the seriousness of what we’re doing. Sage, I believe your question earlier was why we had the meeting before we ate. This is why. So we wouldn’t waste food. How about it, then? Does anybody else want to leave? (pause) Tobias, you and an opponent are engaged in a sword battle. It’s a battle to the death, but it’s also clear that he’s better than you are. Do you fight on, knowing you’ll likely die, or stop the battle and beg for your opponent’s mercy? Tobias: I beg mercy. If it’s clear I won’t win, then nothing is accomplished through my death. I’d hope to live and make myself stronger for the next battle. Conner: (looking at Roden) What about you? Roden: Fight to the death, even if it’s my own. I’m a good fighter, sir, and I will not live as a coward. Conner: Have you been trained with a sword? Roden: An old Carthyan soldier lives near my orphanage. He used to have me do rounds with him, to keep up his skills. Conner: Did you ever win? Roden: No, but- Conner: Then you haven’t been trained. (looking at Sage) Sage? Sage: Beg mercy. Then when my opponent lowers his guard, certain of victory, I’d finish the battle. Conner: (laughs) Tobias: (shocked) A violation of all sportsmanship in swordplay. Sage: What do I care about sportsmanship? If I’m about to get killed, it’s not play anymore. I won’t check the rules to see if my survival fits with someone’s codebook of fair play. Roden: You’d never win that way. Any master swordsman won’t lower his guard until you’re disarmed. Sage: Conner didn’t say he was a master swordsman. Only that he was better than me. And yes, I would win. Conner: (looking at Sage) Stand when I address you. Are you standing straight? You slouch so much, I might mistake you for a hunchback. And with all that hair in your face, you might be a criminal too. Who do you look like? Your mother or father? Sage: That’s hard to say, sir. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen myself in a mirror. Conner: You have a clever tongue and an arrogant tilt to your head. I’m surprised Mrs. Turbeldy hasn’t beaten it out of you. Sage: You mustn’t blame her. She beat me the best she could. Conner: You’re a trick to figure out, Sage. Would you ever be on my side, even if I chose you above the other boys? Sage: I’m only on my side. Your trick will be convincing me that helping you helps me. Conner: What if I did? How far would you go to win? Sage: The better question, sir, is how far you will go to win. You killed Latamer. So we know you’re willing to murder to win. Conner: I am. And I’m willing to lie, to cheat, and to steal. I’m willing to commend my soul to the devils if necessary because I believe there is exoneration in my cause. I need one of you to conduct the greatest fraud ever perpetrated within the country of Carthya. This is a lifetime commitment. It will never be safe to back down from my plan and tell the truth. To do so would destroy not only you but the entire country. And you will do it to save Carthya. Tobias: To save Carthya? How? Conner: Later, later. Until then, boys, Mott has laid out a blanket for each of you by the fire. Tonight we sleep, and sleep well, because tomorrow our work will begin. Roden: (looking at Sage) Remember when I said I never won rounds against that old soldier? It’s because I knew he’d stop if I won. I’m good with a sword. Sage: Maybe you could use some of those skills to get us out of here. Roden: You saw what he did to Latamer. They just killed him. Told him he was safe to go, then they killed him. What is Conner planning that would make him willing to kill? Sage: He’s planning a revolution. Conner is going to use one of us to overthrow the kingdom. Narrator: Will Sage find a way to escape or will he prove that he’s capable of whatever Conner is planning? What will happen to the orphans that aren’t up to the standards of what Conner wants? You can find out by reading The False Prince, by Jennifer A. Nielsen, book 1 of The Ascendance Trilogy.