3.03 - The Blind Man

and he doesn't like to be touched. Right. I've waited so many times at so many gates, this particular gait more than most for people to arrive. Today it's with Cadali, that slimy snake, worming his reptile body inch by inch back into favor. We're waiting for the embassy of the ballarak Oh, and one of them, man, yes, please, let's have it. Should I kiss his feet? Do I wait upon him with perfumes? He's blind? He's blind quite completely. Isn't he supposed to be some sort of great war lord?

He is a great war lord who can't see his own horse. He adapted. You know a bit about adapting, don't you, Gregor? To whoever's in charge the Sultan Maya and now a sultana, an ever refreshing process of adaptation. Not exactly are you accusing me? Ah, Grandmaster? Welcome to two men. Bey, who is this? What an honor? And Ali? He has a face like granite and gaping holes or his eyes used to be. I hope you had a good journey. This is a man who has been in wars.

As he was calm, Perhaps I could advise arrest before you see her. Man, I am not here to rest. I want to speak to the Sultan, and you will imminently loil. Master of the Palace Guard, I asked who you are, not what you are. My name is Gregor. May I for you my hand, grand Master, But you can offer me greg Or, Master of the Palace Guard. Is the Sultan. Now, if I hadn't looked right into those eyeless sockets, I swear he could see. We in Human Bay pride ourselves on possessing one of the largest

less labyrinthine palaces in the world. But getting anywhere does require a favorite of walking. Now, if you turn your attention to the right, you will see a sublime view of the old sky us a court. No, I'm sorry, you can't see it wouldn't look if I could all ruined by Maya and her followers. I'm sorry to say. Anyway, this way and now we are passing through the menagerie, which was once famous far and wide, but alas it's

fortunately you cannot see what twomanbas has come true. Grandmaster entering the hall of mirrors and of course no mirrors. Now even the saddle wood paneling has gone an indulgence. And what's that, Grandmaster? Mirrors? Of course, of course, Grandmaster, a frightful extravagance. Please, what is up to? He's being even more obsequious than usually. Oh yes, here we are the throne room. Well, open the door quite so, Grandmaster. But if I may be so bold, there a few

points of protocol. Protocol when in the presence of the Sultana tupin Bay, has a lawn just opened the door? Yes, of course, but if I could just advise, no, I advise you opened the door now? Of course, of course, your majesty, may I present the grand Master mal of well which one of you is in charge? Grandmaster, welcome to to min Bay. All right, So if you're the Sultana, that would make the woman at your shoulder the Vizier alkin. It's as if he knows the whole layout of the

room just from sound and smell. An honor, grand Master too. Mun Bay may not want this alliance, but we need it. So everyone has been told to attend and create a good impression. Grand Master, I hope while you are into mun Bay, you will be able to explore our beautiful city. I know the shrine of Bakara is of significance to the ballaraq my Lord. When the sultan arises, protocol requires you must need my Lord, I will stand. I will stand. It's all right. Leave him be, your majesty. Two man

Bay is an ancient city. There are many customs, but we are amongst friends. An alliance between two mun Bay and the Ballara could benefit all of us. It would bring peace throughout the region, allowing traders to conduct commerce across borders without fear. MMBO weak, not so weak, grand Master, as one might think. An alliance between alliance and alliance. I'll speak plainly, and I'll ask that you listen carefully, because I'm not a man who likes to repeat myself.

Two Manbai is on its knees. We are willing to offer our hand in friendship. We have a common enemy, Maya. She's building up her strength in the north. She will come again. Her ambitions are limitless. We Ballaraq are placed between Maya's territories to the north and two Manbay to the south. You need us. We are what stands between you and a second occupation in as many years, and we are prepared to help. What sort of help we

are prepared to take two Manbay under our protection. We will send our advisers and officials and install a garrison to defend your walls. Our walls are already defending yes, with the palace guard of a hudred men under your command, Gregor, So you propose to replace them with your men sounds like a takeover to me, General Cooln. I have studied your battles. You are once one of the greatest commanders in the field. I hope I still have a few battles left in me, but unfortunately in no army to

fight them with. Grand Master, with respect, we would prefer not to have your advisers or officials within our city walls. We have a great number of you. If you decline our offer of friendship, then you must pay for our forces. Why should our soldiers die defending two Mambay If two Membai does not want us, if you choose to treat us as mercenaries, you will need to pay us as mercenaries. Majesty, I swear I had no idea, and the Sultana's ear

already affecting damage control. Don't react, majesty, that keeps mine? Does your woman have something to Smiles and nods have very little effect on me. Then let us work with words instead, Say we do pay you? How much are you asking? Two million pieces of gold? Surely for the most powerful, most wealthy city on earth. This is about a pittance. It has been a pittance, and soon it will be again. But in the brief unusual present, Grandmaster

to mid Bay has been freshly ransacked by Maya. We are in an ongoing process of rebuilding, and you'll know what you must do. If you can't pay, you have to let us in. Well, simply wait for the inevitable, with nothing but Gregor and his hundred men between you and Maya. And if we decline your very kind offer, then God help you. If there's anything you want less than the return of Maya, it's me as your enemy Tuman Big Series three, episode three, The Blind Man by

mac Rogers have others this way through through here. No, I'm not here. If the sector is for amateurs, I know I'm more exclusive part of the bunt. My god, why did I see you last? I told you I would return, didn't you did defend this young lady. I am heaven. I'm the one who will be making the purchase. You'll be talking to me, I see. And this is the captain of my ship. He'll be ensuring the safe transport of the merchandise back to to Monday. M hm.

That's good. That's good. It's hard to move good slaves these days, or any slaves for that man. Everything's falling apart. The suppliers can't get the product across from the east anymore. There's no control of the seas or the borders. And the spice for of them told us rife with bandits. I had a consignment due last week, paid my supplier in full on my ad Well, gold is the only currency they trust now. Promises were made, and what choice

do we have other than to trust. I remember my father once told me in business, it's not if everyone will betray you, but when wise words, wise wise words? When when my consignment finally arrived? What did I get? A few old men and a couple of children. All the other slaves have been taken by bandits. It's a mess. What can you do on the matter of our merchant? Now? Your merchant dies is prime quality. I've kept it especially

for you, my friend. I knew you'd be coming, but as the weeks have gone on, I had to cut their rations a bit. You understand how it is. But I knew you would come and they will quickly put on way. There will be a small extra charge, of course. Of course, of course I understand people. I'd like to see them first before we get to carry away with egs es. Of course, this pen over here this way, Yeah, it's in there. M quiet didn't there, wouldn't you say?

If you look through the slats you can see them. Yes, of course, yes, I see them. Marvelous. They looked thin, sick? Maybe, no, no, not at all. A sea voyde will be perfect By the time you get to to Mumbai. There will be perfect rhyme quality. Do you understand if I don't just accept your word for it? Yes, you you're there. Bring that one over the the woman bring her over by. Hi, I'll gall dough, I'll gat you do look up, No, I don't do I go do mouth open ah ah,

lift your arms, Guy Meller, Guy Mello, thank you. You may go to These slaves are malnourished. Look, I have to make a profit to how much did you pay for them? Then? Well he hasn't paying for them, not yet. They're fat and fine the sea air. That's just what they need to be honest. The business being in the States, and you're not going to get a better deal than this. Perhaps perhaps you would haven't paid for them, Evan, just ask your question. I think we need to go somewhere

in chat. Well, look, don't be too long. I've been holding them for you. There have been many inquiries and I've turned them down for you, but I won't hold them forever. I could sell them just like that. I've already kept them here for you for a month. And by the way, there is going to be extra charge for the food. Don't forget see you soon, and don't be long. All right, It took longer than I thought to get here. And yes there was a misunderstandings. Misunderstandings

is an interesting way to say kidnapping and rubbery. That wasn't me. It was my associates. They betrayed me as much as you. Even if I believe that you're the one who hired them, why not just let me stab him. The point is, I have delivered these slaves. Captain, Please, it's okay. Sit down. Slaves are hard to get. I put a deposit down, a third down payment, a whole third. You said they were fully paid for, Yes, paid for, meaning reserved. You Try finding five hundred slaves elsewhere at

the time like this not easy. Look, our deal was, yes, you have the ships, I have the slaves. You don't have the slaves, though you have a third of the slaves. But if you really think about it, we're arguing over nothing. We're arguing over a great age. When we get the slaves to two man day, they will be snapped up. I'll be able to pay my debtors. Your debtors. How do you think I made the down payment? I borrowed. I borrowed everywhere. I could even promise my daughter's hand

and manage to one of my backers. Look, you can see I'm holding nothing back. I know I made a mistake on the ship a mistake. We're calling it, but I want to make it up to you. You know, there's a great shortage of labor into Man Bay. These slaves are better than gold. Captain, you're a man of the world. Tell her I'm right. When did I become your ally in this conversation? Is he right? Captain? I don't. I'm a sailor. Sailor goes for gold. Gold never dies.

But under the circumstances, with the way things are in Tuman Bay, the point is, if we do this, we won't be arguing over gold, because we'll all be enough. But I'm just listening to you is exhausting. Here is the new agreement. You've paid a third of the price, so you'll get a third of the profit when we get back. But heaven surely, and that's me being generous. You want to hear my second best offer. It removes the captain and his dagger. But take it or leave it.

I don't see that we have a choice. There's always a choice, not a good one, and I am sultana. My job is to find the least bad one, the business that can't be put aside raising of the gold. If you pay them once they'll keep coming back and then tell me the better idea, General, do we open the gates and just let them in? I'm not a politician, I'm a soldier. You are the sultana. I see you're overflowing with advice until the moment I actually ask for it.

All right, I see no other path. We have to pay the ballarat and as always alkin watching with those impenetrable eyes of hers, people are rebuilding their lives. They don't have gold to spare general a word, Now use me. Look, I've already told you, father, you are not the sultan. No, I am not. You had the chance to be sultian father, you refused, and now the role has fallen to me, a role I cannot effectively fulfill if you keep undermining me.

I am merely your generals, Yes, a general with no army, which makes you what exactly? Do not disrespect me again? So gold, how do we raise it? Either give me a credible option or keep your mouth shut. Perhaps we can borrow it something to add cadali and eye browed to the prospect of putting ourselves further into debt. Majesty in debt is better than defenseless Majesty, Gregor, majesty, do you have anything to offer? And that's the damnation of

it all. I don't, majesty. If I might humbly suggest an alternative solution, speak some of you here, perhaps only the elder among you. Perhaps I am showing my age. I will remember the story of the wise mouse, Mother mouse, mother, whose family lived high on all the cheese in the larder until the owner of the house purchased a cat, whereupon their fortunes began to change. Suddenly cheese becomes a

dearer commodity, harder to come by. Except it turns out the mother mouse thinks ahead, is you're a point to Its just another moment's indulgence. You see, the mother mouse is wise, even under the reign of the cat, Even at the very height of her fear, she thought of her family first. She moved the cheese somewhere the cat would never find. Cadali, you would do well to consider the outer limits of my patients for stories about cats and mice and cheese. What if the cheese were gold,

specifically the gold reserves of Tuman Bay. But Maya took all of the one I was visier under Maya Majesty, I found myself in a position not unlike that wise mouse mother. My former task, even at the height of the terror, was to protect the city's gold reserves as best they could. After all, surely that is the duty of any vizier to look after the essentials. Wouldn't you agree? I would? And what is more essential than gold? Thing?

I'm sorry, I assumed you all knew that I would protect now safe, your majesty, And you know why it's safe, because only one person knows where it is, someone who can be trusted, like the mouse mother h this week a useful contingency, Majesty. It connects the Sultan's palace with the her Thesis palace. There are many such hidden passageways in tuman Bay, as I had assumed you knew, Gregor, I think we will need the torches at the front, if at all possible, tortures at the front, and you

to its side, perhaps someone guarding the entrance. You, as I was just about to say, you man guard the entrance. No one follows us in no one. Do the two of you want to stop vying for position long enough to show me this promised goal. Please follow me, majesty, assuming promised. Gold really is in there? Why would I forget it anywhere? I've hidden a lifeline, spoken like a man who has more than one just through here? M

hm hm. Another headn't room If your men with the torches would like to illuminate matters for the sort of tournament, do it? I had the slaves who carried it here despatch. It was important to be sure no one could lead the enemy here. Beautiful, isn't it, Majesty? And not only beautiful, it gives you power. This is good, Cadali. This is well done, your majesty. I merely try to do as I have always done my duty to two men. Bay,

isn't that so? Gregor? And he grins like the mouse with the cheese, And I slink away like a cat at the end of a long fruitless hunt, going home with nothing good. You didn't join us to see the gold, brother, I'm not interested in the goal. My concern is also worth You feel it too, then, But she's still here, still in the city somehow. What are you talking about, Maya? Of course you need to move on, Gregor too. Mumbai

has more current dangers to confront. Remember Sarah, she said, Maya and her followers disappear into the walls when they no longer wish to be known. She said, you'll never know who they are, and you'll never see them again until the time is right. Her friendly Red's widow. That's whose word you're basing all this paranoia on. What if she was right? What if the time is soon? Then we'll deal with that when it happens. If it happens, Listen, brother,

you're too close to see it. That's the problem. Too close, monnel, too too close to what Alkin your own lover just barely. She doesn't come to my bed much anymore, but you're still close. Yes, does she ask your questions? Does she still see your correspondence? She is the visier, She sees many things. What if Alkins more than just the visier? What if she's something else as well? I hope I'm not in treading. Okay, how much did she hear? It's just when you overhear your own name, the curiosity is

hard to ignore. All you're intruding on is my brother's decline. These aren't legitimate questions, brother, greg Or, Gregor, Look, this much is true. Giving them gold is a bad idea. Twoman By needs an army. You know it, So what are you going to do about it? Get one boy? You have this horse saddled and ready at dusk? Of course, very well, where are you going? Brother? As you said, I have ghosts to chase? He Gregor. I'm sorry, my love. It wasn't my intention to talk about you in your absence.

People talk means nothing to me. I'm much more interested in why you need that horse. I need to see my guard. Why don't I follow you? That way I can coax the truth from you. Dropped by excruciating, dropt, be entertaining. I'm going to my villa in the hills now. My council is clearly not wanted here. Two Mumbai will always need it's best general it disciplines. There's no discipline here. People are living for pleasure, like there's no future. Look

at my own daughter's husband. Prince Herod is in a different position. He has no role, and he should make his own role, preferably one that doesn't involve oring and gambling. Maybe the rest of two Munday would follow his August example. When I was in my foodster, it wasn't that different from two Mumbai. Right now, they had just finished defeating another type of enemy. No less mysterious than Maya, no less deadly either. By the time the invasion was repelled,

half the population was dead. I've never heard of an invasion of Muffu's dawn. I know every battle. That's because the invader was the plague, and they don't teach generals about that. The point is, in the wake of so much death, there's a kind of natural rejoicing in simply being alive. That's what they were celebrating. That's what to Mumbai is celebrating. Now, you should allow them a little more leeway. If they are to gain strength, they need time to recover. It is no time. The Ballarak are

here now. And what are we doing appeasing them? We're paying for a service, and the next time they offer a service we can't refuse. And the time after that, then why are you leaving? Surely too, Mumbai has never needed your help more. When the Sultana is prepared to listen, she can send me a message. She knows where to find. What will the Ballarak think when Tu, Mumbai's greatest leader just leave the city behind. They won't see me. I'll travel in darkness with only my most trusted escorts and

the sultana. Does she know? Maybe you can tell it for me. What are you doing? What are you doing? That's not what you used to ask me when I pulled you into dark corners. Maybe I'm out of practice. We've come a long way you went. I the differences I know in my own long way started. Where did your long way begin? Okay? I don't like that question. Then I'll give you this much, shall I? The world is not at all what you think it is, my dear lover. Well now I'm more mystified than I was before. Well,

perhaps you'll understand this. I like you, okay, but I don't trust you, not at all. Perhaps you are wise see that you take care of my daughter. Will good fortune to you, my love. I will see you on your return. M hmmm, ready, So what have you to come from? We've been around someone? Uh hey, you get me a candle. I want the closer look at this. I just told you. Let's have a look. I don't trust them. Maybe the spies from the palace. From the palace, yes,

but not spies. But John who budly budly come over here cooking? You are at his possession? Is it? Is it? Is the prince. Just what are you doing here? I look like I'm doing and him, my friend s him a master of arrangements. Really well, I didn't just say I didn't gone too? Is it all right? Of course I've already revealed myself drinks and Prince heron h Are you really depris? Mm hmmm? You'n me love like a prince? Who dares I'm in the middle of receiving a compliment.

It's sell him. There are people at the front door. What people they see that from the palace time? It's you can just tell them to go, can't you? Wow? Can't you? M hm ah? My Lady Sultana, did you sleep well? I was hoping to speak to you alone. I hardly think my little monkey friend here will inhibit our conversation. Do you perhaps you could put him back in his cage? Really? I don't think so. I think

it's a sad thing to cage any creature. We all want to come out and play sometimes, don't we, Your majesty, This al turner is concerned about your behavior in the city. I wasn't aware she was concerned about me at all. It's not acceptable. These are desperate times. Husband, We are under attack. The Balaq have their spies here reporting back to that grand master of Theirs, telling him how we're falling apart and you are out gambling and whoring every night.

What is she doing? She? She is my vizier and I trust her. What is that animal still doing here? He's my friend, I trust him, and you don't trust me. Is it any wonder with your behavior? I behave like that because you don't trust you. At least try to be discreet like you are with her, like your father is with her, sort of a family affair. Isn't it hard to see where I even fits in at all? M I never should have married him. I should have trusted my instinct. Mm hmmm, mm hmm. It was necessary.

You need his father's loyalty and support more than ever. Actually, with the Ballarak sniffing around outside our gates and all the calamity they bring with them, you speak as if you can see the future. I'm your vizier. It's my job to plan for the future, and it's your job to rule and then get my father. I want to speak with him. Well, he he has gone, Your majesty gone gone. Where to the province is to seek help, help with what to build an army? I never dave.

Why is everyone doing things behind my back? I quite agree, majesty. How long have you been skulking back there? Merely making myself available for any matters of policy that may arise naturally? And if I may be so bold, Majesty, you need a good advisor, someone you can trust, someone who is not your relative, your lover or your pet. Someone who can think clearly without emotion, someone who is disinterested. Are you trying to describe yourself, Cadali, because you're hardly disinterested.

You're enormously interested in yourself. I don't deny it. I consider it a virtue. What is good for me is good for two men pain, And like you, I don't have any other motives. Be careful, you're far the Majesty general cool on. It's the oddest thing. I haven't seen him around? Why is that odd? Perhaps I have sent him somewhere where, if I may be so bold, you may not. Of course, of course, Majesty, you know me. I merely wish to serve. Yes, thank you, majesty. What

do you want, Selim? I just wanted to let you know how things are going with the Prince. We're friends, so just if you need help, if you ever need to use him. Look, I want to help you father. In that case, I noticed my carpet is rather dusty. Perhaps you can summon one of your cleanness to take care of it, or, failing that, do it yourself. Rather, I did what you asked. I helped to get you back in the palace. And now you want what a reward, A prize for being a good boy, a longer night,

fatherly embrace. Ah, yes, go on cry, your tears are wasted on me. What I respect is ambition, and you've never had a drop cleaning manager. You can't be as serious, and only because of my influence you have no idea what it is to work your way up from the bottom, to define yourself from nothing. I started life as a slave, and I was Chancellor of the empire by the time I was your age. And what are you the spitting image of your mother? An insignificant cleaning wench. So go

on and cry. I owe you nothing, Sultana. You do me too much honor with this return visit to Grandmaster. Where is General Coulan? Why isn't he here? How does he always know my father is unwell. I'll give you some advice. Sultana. While you may be able to compose your face, you cannot compose your voice. I can hear the truth. Perhaps you overestimate your discernments. No, my men

saw him leave the city last night. Then why ask if you already knew, maybe to hear what you would say, Grandmaster, you need to have a care for how you speak to them. You're ready to receive my embassy of advisors and officials or not. I'm waiting for an answer, Sultan. We are grateful for your kind offer, but I believe I can rule to Manbay without the help of the bellar.

We would, however, like to accept or even kinder offer to retreat from our city, go back to your fortresses and stand as a line of defense between two men Bay and Maya. You know that would require that we meet your demand for payment. Yes, and we are prepared to do so. You have the goal, we do. Where is it, my men? I at this very moment waiting to transport the gold bars to your ships, your men,

his men, officers of the Palace guard. Yes. Now, if that concludes our business, grand Master, I'd like for you to pack up your camp load, your soldiers and your horses back onto the ships, sail back to your fortresses, and get started on the work we are paying you to do very well. Sultan, Shall I escort? Have you ever had that nightmare where everyone you're a secret except for you? Who's the ranking man? I am so. But we're moving the gold to the port this evening, Yes, sir,

what the full contingent of men escorting it? Every man who can be spared, of course, But only it has been done. What has transport of the gold studied? It's been arranged by whom? Greg welcome from my office? Your office? Are you out of your mind? On the contrary, I'm very much in my mind, and it seems in my appropriate position as master of the palace guard. And just like that, every piece of the puzzle suddenly falls into place. On whose authority I was hoping for a bit of outrage,

some gnashing of teeth, on whose authority? Working out for yourself, Gregor, it's an awfully short list. You should consider it a kindness. Really, you haven't been yourself lately. That's understandable. We've all been through so much these past months. Maybe it's time to take your brother's advice my brothers to take a nice long rest. I mean, as he's urged you to do so many times. You've been spying on us, merely remaining open to the many currents of information passing through Tuman

Bay every day. This isn't over. I'll take good care of your men, Gregor. I don't think they'll miss looking for my eye in every shadow. But your majesty, Gregor, I gave the order myself. You're siding with Cadari and Alkin and your own brother. You're at your wits end, Gregor Or. Anyone can see it still work to do, Majesty, maas A. Agents are still here, Maya. Gregor, Still you don't understand. I understand. You're in the grip of an obsession that's taking every ounce of attention you should be

devoting to the crisis our city is facing right now. Honestly, you haven't been yourself since we reclaimed the city. That's just what I'm saying. I don't think we have reclaimed it. Have you been taking something, taking something to cool? It would be understandable. This is you, isn't it busy? You've been plotting against me from the very start. No, Gregor. This is entirely you. I can do my job. I don't think you can, Uncle, or you would be already.

And if you're being honest with yourself, you don't think you can do it either. If I'm being honest with myself, why start now from yelling? You can't catch me, don't hear us? Let them? Frog? Frog? We need to land there? Why the port? Why? But not too close? Who are we prepared? Sergeant? Yes, Grandma Frog? And we should say say why did we come down? Gear Frog? Who were

those men? They're called the ball Iraq? They're frightening. He said that the fascest of all fighters Matilla, their fortresses all along the coast. The leader, that one there, he's called the grand Master. It's the most frightening of all. They say, he's blin. What's the matter? I recognize him from where? From my dreams? Do you really think it's possible to change the future? Change the future you foresaw in your dream? Yes? What do you want to change? Frog?

You're scaring me. That look in your eyes it's more frightening than a hundred balls? Where are you going? What are you trying to change? You said it was impossible. Wait, you're going too fast. I'm amazing you from season three, episode three of two. Mun Bay The blind Man, featuring Rufus Wright, Anton Lesser, Matthew Marsh and Olivia Popka, was written by Mack Rogers, with music by Sasha Putnam and

editing and sound design by Eloise Whitmore. Toumanbay is directed by Me, John Scott Dryden, created by Me and Mike Walker, and produced by Emma Herne and Nadir Khan. For more details, including scripts and cast list, visit to Munbay dot com