1.05 - Strangle Hold

of a camel across the desert, and amazingly no brickages anything. General, here in the provinces we are much less formal than in the great city. Yes, well, ask why you did not bring your goods through to Muan Bay. My husband says, the import taxes so high when goods come through to men Bay. Supposed I shouldn't say such a thing to you, General, but it's no secret as it really. We already pay so many taxes to the Sultan. Why should he take

it all? Don't you feel the same? General, All this, your husband's positioned, this palace, the very provincy governments is all at the discretion of the Sultan and the Sultan alone. Now, General, we all know that's not true, don't we. The Sultan is nothing without the provincial governors. They serve each those interests. Oh, here you are, m I hope you will be comfortable here, my lord? Come? What is this? Oh? I thought you might like a little company after your long march with

all your horses and men. The empire is at war. I've come here to gather the provincial armies. Your husband should be here reporting to me. Get him, yes, of course, But get him and you tell him and all the other governors to report to my camp immediately. Now get out of my site. General, governors here were in your tent. Commander Gulan your grace. Firstly, let me apologize for my lateness. I had meant to meet you at the gates, but

I got called away on business. I hope my good wife provided you with a warm welcome to our humble home. Where are your men? Don't worry, they will be here ready to serve our Sultan. General. How is our good friend, the Sultan? Where are the other provincial governors? You need to relax, Commander, Remember you are my guest here. I've organized a banquet to night in the Great Hall. Forget the banquet we will meet here at camp at sunset. Send me your masters. I want to see it before

we meet. But yes, under whose authority the Sultan can I see it? See what your authority? Sergeant thank Governor Ushman to see the Sultan seal. This is exactly why Tummby has allowed Maya to flourish. I bid welcome to the governors of the Eastern and Southern provinces, and also to the commanders of the border regiments. I have news. The garrison town of Cariber has fallen to Maya's forces. She's on the move. The war has begun, and I have been looking at your master's and they are a disgrace.

You are all got used to peace. You have not kept up your records, Governor Usman, you don't even have a glimmering of the number of men fighting age in your district. Never mind oxen, horses and camels and foodstuffs. The army leads arrows by the hundred thousand, and you are supposed to keep a ready supply. With respect General Coulan, the Sultan seems quite happy with the taxes we raised for him. And besides, haven't these threats been rather exaggerated?

The General. Of course, readiness should be our watch. Please do assure the Sultan of our support, but we would like in return be assured of what do you expect? General? These are not men. They are fat, pink grub that you put on a hook cruise to catch fish. Who do you think you are, young man? Yes? Who are you? I am Wolf? I come from the hill country with my cavalry for centuries we have fought for Tuman Bay. I summoned you, but I didn't know if you would come.

We don't come at any man's care. We come when we want to for the fight. And Maya the grim is an enemy worthy of our time, unlike these grubs. So what do you want me to do with him? Hang them? Waste of good rope? Stop him? I demand to do something, General coolan very well, that one, commander Wolf, the fat one. You say he's a grub. Spit him on your no. No, please, I am the governor of the province at your service, General, take that away. The rest of you. You listen to me. Your masters will

be complete within three days. Three days after that you will deliver men and all supplies. If not, each one of you will fight himself on the hook as well. Any questions good now, Commander Wolf, I would like to inspect some men who are ready to fight Tuman by episode five Stranglehold by John Drydon. They say, if you want peace, you should prepare for war. But what happens

when your enemy offers your piece? Perhaps then you should remember that the most beautiful flowers have the sharpest thorns. Just one pet, yes, your majesty, just one, That's all that is required. H Ah, Your Highness, I have some views. Yes, yes, God, smell this. It's a um wonderful, delightful. H it's supposed to be terrible. One sip of it and you would be dead. Isn't that the right doctor? Without a doubt, your majesty, without a doubt. Yes, I have something I

need to tell you. This here, Your excellency sniffles. Well, it's it's it's her, it's yes, but put the two together, and oh, yes, it's very good, your highness. Yes, it's the balance of the opposing forces. It's like you and Gregor. As long as we can keep the balance, well, your Highness, I have found a way to do that. It's good news. This so called Queen Maya. She wants to negotiate. What are you talking about? Well, I have my contacts, of

course I do. It's my job. She wants to send a delegation to two men bay to negotiate, beg more like for mercy, No doubt. She's heard about our armies marching out to the provinces. She's awed by our Sultan's power. Let her beg me in person, tell that her delegation. Yes, your managed to keep them waiting. The bitch, who does she think she is? Shall I get the smelling salts? I gave her dead husband a province to government. I put him there, and now she wants to challenge me magetically?

Sit down, you tire me. I am sorry, your majesty. What is the point of view? I have no point. I merely exist. Yes, you merely exist. That's the problem, your majesty. I am sorry if I have offended you in any way. I am your physician, your health and well being. Yes, yes, then shut your mouth. Yes, yes,

your majesty, I am sorry. Yes, yes, I will go play a game with him, make them think we are grateful, will organize your reception, of course, your majesty, But why let them beg us for mercy and then and then we'll kill them. Send a message to my first wife shall just to attend she will enjoy it. M ha ha, doctor, I told you not to disturb me when I'm working. What do you want the lady shat is here? Sha? Yes? What does she want at this time? I need your help?

But of course, my lady, are you one with no? I have business I need to deal with discreetly. Business. There are two ways we can do this. Either we can talk in a roundabout way with me saying such things as I have a friend who needs help, or we could get straight to it. What would you prefer, my lady? I we both know what I'm talking about. A woman in my position has many enemies. I need to protect myself. I want to talk to you about poison. Poison, lady,

I am a physician. I know what you are. What do you think the Sultan would do if he realized he was treated by a slave of the poppy? Does it matter if it is discovered afterwards that the victim was poisoned? M no, I don't care what happens afterwards. That makes it easier. There's something I've been working on. Yeah, what are you doing? Perfume? You spray it like a perfume. You spray it on the face. Simple, surprising, effective m hm. The first wife, Shajar ruthless. As far as she's concerned,

her son could have died in the army. Better a dead son than a weak son. I need to be ahead of her. I need to move far southern. She can move and then stop her. Where is his holiness? This way? My lord? What are you doing here? No one is supposed to be here. How are your eminence? Are they looking after you well? Iraq? The best I hear you, like the best I know you. You're our guries dog. When there's dirty work to be done, you do it. Gregor, your name is Gregory. It's not poisoned.

I'll drink with stuff. When you gave me here, Russell Dan gave you sanctuary. You're the spiritual guide to all believers, the Jewel and the sortans Turban. Why would he want to kill you? What do you want, Gregor? Just to talk? I have no objection? Would it change anything? If I had? I thought not? Were you making your way here? A long journey and hard too? And were you alone? Alone? Just me and bellow, bellow, my priest, my lord and

how did you travel on foot? Yes, and if we found a sympathetic traveler, sometimes there was a donkey for an old man. And as for resting, the hard ground, so cold, the nights so cold, and your burden, burden, the things you carried with you, no, no, nothing. I had to leave quickly. There was no time, not time at all. Bellow, tell him there was nothing we talk, nothing, nothing, not any little keepsake to ensure you have a warm welcome wherever you might end up. Nothing, nothing, We were

wonderers on the face of the cold. Is that not so, Bellow? It is as you say, eminence, wisdom was our only fraid, as the poet has it. But now you've come to rest unfortunately. Well, I should take no more of your time. A blessing perhaps before I go, Yes, yes, go, and being give the fortune God, But just in case God withholds his gifts. It is wise, is it not to take what may not be given? And you are generally accounted a wise man, are you not? Bellow, will see

you out? Or a drunk m my Lord. In our holy books there is a verse about the wise sortan who does not venture into the dark without a lantern. So that when he needs, he may see what is hidden and what he is hidden, Master Priest, many things, but that wise or time with the lamb may find them out and be well rewarded for his full sign. He might hope, so you might hush, Master Priest, it's merely a rat. They are everywhere here. He is the thing.

Service and betrayal, rewards and punishments. Serve me well, bellow, and you would prosper serve me ill, Good night, lamplighter. You see it spins like this. No, this is to advance for her. How old is your child? She's just the debut and something soft like this. I went to your house, he said, I would find you here. What is this? It is? What it is, your excellency. I'm touched by your devotion to that ask I gave you. While while she's in my care, she would want for nothing,

Excellency good. My advice is not to get too close. The child will not be with you for long. No, of course not. I realized I need your help. Yes, a little mystery. Remember the scrolls I described to you. Come with me now, But the child is waiting for me. When I told you to take care of it, I didn't tell you to become its wetness. Come. They all look old. That's the whole point of scrolls. That's what people want. These artisans, they use every trick in the book.

But I have a feeling these might be different. What's in the market. Just wait, see them and decide. You know about these things I don't. This might be an opportunity for you. Can I ask you something? Then? What? Why are you so interested in them? Do you know what I do for the sort of time? I know? You're not responsible for his collection of art and calligraphy? M hm ah, this is it? How many brothers? No one homes all? Why don't we one of them will

always be here? You're an eccentric couple brothers and believe from Yeah. Hello, workshops like these. They're all over tom and Bay churning out reproductions. Hello, ah, gentlemen, here we are again. I apologize for the intrusion. Your door was open. This is my associate. He is a scholar. You might say. I brought him with me so that we might examine the pieces again, a gentleman, perhaps you would be so kind as that that's movie they wait? Wake up, wake up? Oh?

What was that? The place what are you doing covering onr face? Those aren't playing pustules. There was a struggle here and then they were carefully propped back up onto their chairs. Pison must have happened recently. No sign of bloating. Yet you would be a wiser man not to ask what about the scrolls? They won't be here anymore. That moment is past. Come, it's better not to be discovered here. I shouldn't have come. I shouldn't have come, pretty, hide

your face. I should have warned nor what she wanted me to go to see that feast? She wanted to delay me so she could do her work here. And this this woman, whoever she is, You think she has the scrolls? Now of that? I am certain. Look at the market. It's busy and full of life. Yes, yes, But have you ever seen a bee hive when it's dying. It looks busy, but the bees are anglers. No, I haven't, But I don't understand when the queen's dead. The bees

are everywhere flying around. To the outside observer, it looks as though the higher is healthy, but it's not. It's dying because the heart of it is dead and it just doesn't know it yet come back to your home, take care of the baby. You will hear from me in du course sha ja. That's the trouble with ex lovers. They know you too well, and no one has the capacity to hate you quite like an ex lover. Who is it my learning? I need to talk to you. My maid isn't here. Please come back later when I

can receive you properly. I'm afraid that it's not possible. The Sutan sent me, Yes, may I come in? It would be easier. Wait one moment. It is quite inappropriate for you to come here to my quarters without an appointment. Yes, my apology is well, yes, you said the Sultan. Yes, this peace delegation from my The Sultan asked me to inform you that your presence will be required at the reception tonight. Is that all? Yes? Then I will be there.

Good good. There was just one other thing, yes, greg Or, what of him? I was hoping you might know of his whereabouts? And why would that be? No reason except will weren't you close ones? Now? Now, cad Ali, I didn't think you were the sort of man to listen to idle gossip. No, not idle gossip. I am the Sultan's chief wife. My husband is all my delight, always

has been and always will be. Everything I do is for him, of course, of course, But you and Gregor I serve one master Cadali, the Sultan, as do we all. I was merely inquired after Gregor. After all, he's been rooting out the spies here in the palace. Is keeping us all safe? Well he's not here, my point, precisely, he never seems to be around. I want to believe he has rooted out all the spies. I wouldn't know

about anything like that. Well, no, no, you wouldn't. We can but trust that Gregor is doing his job the sort and trusts him. That's good enough for me. Well, I must be off, goodbye, my lady. Of course, if Gregor himself were disloyal in any way, m hmm what way? Precisely, I don't know. He talks to a lot of people. Perhaps that's his job, watching everyone, looking for spies. As you say, but who watches the spy catcher? Just be vigil it, Virgilance, especially now with all that is happening.

Better to be suspicious than to you're shure, But my lady, yes, put it down. There is there anything else, madam? No, go wait, yes, tell the wardrobe master the time to attend a reception tonight. Yes, my lady. So this delegation, it may mean everything, it may mean nothing, but we have to show our unity, our might. You are the queen, where your best jewels? What do they want? They say

they want peace? And what do you think they want? Cadi? Well, perhaps we are like the child on his birthday morning, waiting for his present, and there it is all wrapped up. What is it? He can barely wait? He unwraps it, he reaches in. Is it a beautiful model cannon that you will be able to? It is model soldiers? Or is it the deadly scorpion? Where are you going? I have some duties to attend to for my lady. Go to my rooms, my lord, you heard me. I have

some news your baby. Mh you are serving your lady? Well, what news of my child? You will come to that? Has something happened? Just said we need to talk. We will talk about what I want to talk about. First, all right, sit, nothing to worry about. I prefer being down here. It's peaceful, No one will disturb us. Two man bear is under attack. There is grave danger from this maya, my lord, not by her armies. General Coolan will see to that. I'm talking about an enemy within.

I am responsible for that, my lord. If you think that, what do I think that I am? Are you? No? I'm a slave, my lord. You put me in her lady's chamber. I am loyal to you. I have reason to believe that Lady Shajar is hiding something, something that may harm us. I need you to search for them. What are they? Two scrolls? About so long? They've been restored, ornately decorated in a jeweled box. I've seen them, you have. She brought them back from the market. She keeps them

in there. Yes, that's all right. I don't need to know where they are. I just need you to bring them to me. But how take them when she's not there? And when she discovers there, I'm missing. I only want to see them for a short while and then you can return them. I can't. She keeps them in the safe and get the key. She carries it with her on her gold chain. I saw your child today. How is she worry about that man? The one is looking after her for you? Worry? Why? I don't know if

he's taking proper care of her. She cries a lot. She's looking very thin. I wonder if he's feeding her. Perhaps you would like me to intervene, of course, anything to help. If the wild were to die, I could never forget. I'm bringing you the scrolls. Good now, both of us need to be somewhere else. Ah late, antly you are, But as it happens, so are they busy catching spies, and the work goes on. Excuse me, Cadi, are you there? Good? They have arrived and up being

escorted through the imperial gates by the palace guard. You appear to be spending more time outside the palace than in, greg Or, What do you have out there? A secret family? I love? The security of the palace requires a long reach day. And yes, if I have to work day and night in the service of my sortan, that is my honor. Of course. Well, it is a great honor for all to serve under such a wise and benevolent ruler. It is it is. Why are we laughing? You laughed? First?

We are very like you and I, Gregor. We don't have wives, we don't have children. We live only for the glory of two men by and we are ambitious too. It's just unfortunate things have not worked out for you or your brother so well, clearly Mayer is defeated. Or why has she sent her envoy to beggars for mercy? That is my triumph, a triumph of diplomacy. Well, you've been sneaking around the palace doing well. I have no

idea what you've been doing. And your brother, the Great General, has been wasting his time in the provinces building an army that isn't required. I have been ah here. Welcome, welcome, Welcome back to tuman Bay. If endy red take the reins, yes, this is her, rather me go welcome one fat man, a spy catcher, a bunch of slaves. Well, after last time, perhaps we are a little less open hearted. How is your Queen Maya? Let's get on with us. Where is the Sultan? All in good time, All in good time?

Come come, you will excuse me. I have business elsewhere. And have you found your master's spy yet? What isn't that what you're looking for? I think you have been misinformed, Sir, your gregor, head of the palace guard. I am come and talk to me if you want to know things. What things. Come and talk to me. I can save you time and effort. It doesn't matter to us anymore. Excuse me through here. If Endy read yes, your men

can wait here, Officer, I see that they're made comfortable. Certainly, excellency, would you like to follow the egg? I see you have brought no gifts with you this time. M you know the palace? Well, it seems you know what time we get up, what we have for lunch, what we do. You are like a conjurer. You conjure up illusions for us, and we, like children at a party, are supposed to believe that you have these great powers. You are right.

I have no power at all. I'm merely the messenger for my queen, and I only know what my informance told me. I rely entirely on the quality of their information. Their future depends on it. Their future depends on his Excellency Gregor. If he finds them, they have no future. I don't think you saw the Sultan's fine collection of ancient sculptures last time. They're just in here. Some are very old. They depict the gods of ancient times, before

men knew there was but one god. I want to see the Sultan, not his stones, of course, of course, and he wants to see you that we have prepared some light refreshments for you here after such a long journey. I don't need anything, and just wait here. We have arranged well, a little entertainment for your amusement, some local flavor our custom enjoy. Mm hmm it's hot enough, yes, my lady. More ungents pour it in here. Mm hmmm. City is so empty now with all the soldiers gone.

It's quieter. Two must be all the men who make the noise. What's the marketplace like? It's a quieter there too. I haven't been to the market. No, don't go out. You don't have any friends that you meet. Yes, In the end, it all comes down to who your friends are and to loyalty. You remember what I said about loyalty, Yes, my lady. It's important that you look after your own people and that you know you can count on them. Do you remember when you first came to me what

I said? What did I say? You said, if I was loyal, you'd be kind to me. And if you're not loyal, do you remember what I said? I think you said you would be unkind to me. No, I think I said you would suffer like you've never suffered before. I see you watching me. H. You keep a close watch on me, of course, my lady, of course, to serve me better. Yes, but you are being watched too, you know, my lady. I don't know, my lady. No, I don't want to hear it. Now. You can go

and prepare my dress. Should it be the blue silk or the goldbners have to meet a peace delegation. We will have to make decisions in this world, don't Yes, my lady, you slavery? Who mess? You can't be someone I can talk to. Yes, of course, but why don't you relax? Don't tell me what to do, your excellency, how are you enjoying the entertainment? I don't care for it. I will speak to the Sultan and I will speak to him now. His Majesty Sultan Algori is eager to

see too. Let me huh, gregor, the Sultan apologizes for keeping you waiting affairs of state. Please follow me after you offended? Where do you come from, Sarah? With your lovely blue eyes? Who are you? I told you, my lady, Where do you come from? Really, my lady? Far from here a small country. I told you, yes, yes, but I don't believe you. Well, my lady, what can I say? I'm telling you the truth? Are you? I came from a country in the north Cassock. I was sent with

my brother as a gift. Where were you sent? Far away? We were captured by pirates. Where were you sent? Where did you learn all your graces and languages, your skills? You know, ordinary slave? Where were you educated? Don't worry? I worked this out some time ago. Why do you think I've kept you so close to me? You can be useful. Never throw anything away that can be useful. See my gold chain. It's useful. It looks beautiful, and if I need to sell it I can. Okay? Can

I hold it to my lady? Yes, if you wish, I dare say you once more? Such fine chains? Yes, I knew it. You see you can talk to me. I can help you. Shall I put it on for you? Please? And may I ask something? Go on the box in the if? Oh, that you brought it back from the market. You keep it hidden away? What is it that, my dear girl? Is my insurance and that of my son mat think of it? Is our future? If you like. I'm sorry, my lady, but you don't have a future.

Your majesty iffendy Red, so I've got to see you again, offended Red. How is your queen she as well? Your majesty good. I'm so pleased you look flustered. Far from it. I hope you have been enjoying the modest entertainment we have arranged for you. A banquet is, as I speak, being prepared in our kitchens. We had to replace the kitchen staff last time you were here, so I can't guarantee the quality. Now, I understand you wish to discuss

terms for peace. That is right, well, Queen Maya has instructed me to inform you that she will withdraw her armies and cease all hostilities. Queen Maya good on these conditions. Conditions? What conditions would they be? That you hand over the reliquary and that the Huffies, currently under your protection comes with us. He will live in Maya's court under her protection and be her spiritual guide. This reliquy we have no knowledge of it. It is our information that the

reliquary was carried out from Bakur by the Huffies. Bakur is now under myas protection. It was therefore stolen from us. We want it back. I'm sorry, what how dare you dictate terms to me? Our army is in the field. We will destroy you and hang your queen from the imperial gates? Are you insane getting terms to me? We are ready to destroy your queen and raise your whole damn province. I'm not paying this game anymore. I want your majesty think about this. Yes, you have your army

in the field. You are on a war footing all for what? Because I threw the severed head of something. You need to come down now? Could you see you come now? Or was he Perhaps it was something that just gave him a belly ache, and he was never in any danger at all. Perhaps this has all been an illusion. It is the pairing of the nail of the smallest finger of Maya's left hand. If she really wanted human be she would take it. All she wants is the reliquary who found her one of the unux. Excellency,

I can't get you at once? And the maid where is she? I don't know, Excellency in here m hm? Is she? Yes? Shares? Get out? Get out? She was beautiful once. She still is even in death. You're clever, bitch. If you knew what myer want it and you had it right, someone was even cleverer than you, Excellency the Physician. I came as soon as I could. You're too late, Dr Ladies. Maid Sarah, we can't find her. Shall let send for the pan of scar Yes, do that. When

you find her, bring her to me. If I'm still in this world, if the Sultan hasn't put my head on a spear for failing to keep the palace safe from spies and assassins, you know I must informed the Sultan that his favorite wife is dead. Episode five of timan Bay Stranglehold, featuring Rufus Wright, Sarah Beck, mother Nina yin Is, and Alexander Siddek, was written and directed by Me John Scott Dryden, with music by Sasha Putnam and

editing and sound designed by Steve Bond. Tuman Bay is created by Me and Mike Walker and produced by Emma Herne and Nadia Khan. For more details, including a cast list, visit to Muanbay dot com