4.05 - The Watchers

Signor Piero. Grandmaster. The Grandmaster doesn't speak much. He spends most of his time prayer. Yes, what, I spend most of my time running Tuman bay. We have come to see you, Grandmaster Marik the night of the falling fires. This event so important to you, will be recorded for all time by Master Piero. Here you agreed to see him so that he could make sketches for his great canvas. Yes, very well, it's um it's dark in here. May we open the blinds? U sure? Well open mhm ah. So

the stories are true. You have a fine face, Grandma, master heroic face. Your empty eye sockets with the flames in the sky will be I won't see your painting, but the world will and you will be mortalized. Make your pictures, artists. I do not have time to waste. Yes, this may take a while, my lady. Perhaps you would care to amuse yourself. Otherwise, yes, you may leave us if you wish. They will show you the army quarter. We have nothing to hide. My general will the sky.

I have my own general, barbarressa mistress. So what do you see, General, as a soldier? Are they preparing for war for this celebration? What do you see? No signs of mobilization, No engines of war, nor battle training, or stockpiling of arrows or lances, or getting men up to the mark. However you try and conceal it. You can't hype no urgency, not for war. And my forces what ready for war? As you saw the exercises mistress a few days ago, they are ready to fight. So if

we had to make a move, could we do it? Well? Yes, but we would have to act soon. Explain the men. No gold has been secured for the city for your army. They have been promised their back paper. Any deserters are to be hanged. These are men who fight for money. Are promises, and you will have gold a plenty if you serve me well. General, thank you, Mistress. I wonder, yes, I think really as strong as they say they are.

Have we been led on a merry chase? They arrive at our gates not more than a few hundred, and we, like frightened children, we believe all the tales of their greatness. It's the position in the city now, this day. They have taken over the city gates. They have the center and most of the port area. Two of the five hills they they control, who goes in, who goes out. I'm sick of this. Go back to your troops now and prepare to attack. I'm not used to repeating myself. General,

they are unprepared. Will surprise them. Even so. From General, they are the Balaron, they are mortal, and they can die. I'm going back in there. If you hear nothing by the fourth glass of the afterno in and surround the army quarter and wipe them out. As Mistress to Monday, season four, episode five, The Watchers by Mike Walker. But you're man, surely they need some relief. Do they find it with each other? The flesh is evil unless it's insistent your nights are young fat If we fail we

have the discipline? Why is that not a temptation in itself? All matter is a temptation. That is why it is best to leave it behind. M we are a disciplined order. I am a man. You are a man. We both know that. Known as that disciplined, I am not a man, and yet I see very little of your discipline, Grandmaster and mal Rick. I wonder if you're like all men and promise much and deliver very little. I think the moment has come for us to speak clearly to one another. Position.

Have you done very well? Very little? Apart from take our gold, controlled the law courts, you're going to hang a thousand people on the night of the falling stars. All very well and good, but it seems to me you take and you do not give. You were invited into our city as guests after the terrible deprivations of the occupation of Maya. Well, we thank you for your help where it has been given. You have been paid well, and now we think we can manage on our own.

How how what how will you manage without our advisors or administrators. I can advise, and I have secured loans for the city trade will flourish. My army is at full strength. It is time, respectfully for you and your brothers to pack up and go back to your castles on the coast. And do you speak for the sultana manel? We speak as one. Are you throwing down a challenge? Madam? Very well? We shall be gone after the night of the fires, what after the festival of fires, which is

of great importance to us? As you said we shall be gone. We shall leave behind us a great gift, the aqueduct, which our engineers are working on tirelessly. And you will place your seal on this promise Heaven send for the scribes. Very well, Grandmaster, you will have the document this afternoon with my seal attached. Is there anything further you would wish to discuss? If you would excuse me, I have to speak to your general. Indeed, you are very shrewd amarek as are you? Madam? We are all

here to serve. But which cause we comma? Did I tell you I was a commander? You told me you were not. Then that seems that so everyone else addresses you in these lodgings. Good commander, May I fetch your coffee? Breakfast. I'm no longer a commander. Coffee, yes, bread and olives, dumpy breakfast, Commander, I'm not I'm off now where my job mar with uncle? Building gallows for the big show. All the folks they didn't execute during the month of fasting get done on the night, got to go. First

of all, we could use a bit of cheer. Will you gentlemen, be going? They say it will be quite something. Fires in the sky, No executions for me. I don't want to see that, not at all. But the rest that could be interesting. Fires in the sky. I say, how do they know? Astrologers? Offended? They know everything. That's why these astrologers see it seems I came to the city at a good time. Oh how was your banquet

at the palace? Commander? I love then, always impresses in great city where the streets must be cobbled and paved. Just the up keep mind you step. All the drain covers have been stolen under the occupation myers people sold them and they haven't been replaced yet. In the days of Sultan and Augury, no one would have dared. Everyone was being watched all the time. You never knew who was spying on you. Now, was that your job when you were a commander keeping watch? Was it? It was? Yeah, yeah,

something like that. You'd be surprised what goes on behind what you see. I can imagine the city is like a beautiful garden, every flower, every blade of grass, kept perfectly in place. And you were a gardener and a tribe of war dogs came trampling over everything. Mind your step mother missing drain cover. It's a long way down the sewers and drains and something of a wonder, and beneath them there's a whole other world, people living down there, the city, under the city, That's what I mean. I

don't want to see what the tourists see. How do people get down or up? The city is full of tunnels, and there are secret entrances everywhere, the Eastern Market, the old Temple of Solitude. Oh what her thesis palace? Why didn't I think about? But wait, where are you going? Commander? Are we going out again today? Slimy worm? You are claiming me. Once I would have killed you for that. Once I would have seen through it. It's time you told me the trap. There's another way out of here.

Isn't there a passage? That's how he went to her fist. No, he just vanished. I swear he's lying. Who are you? I always know when someone's lying infallibly. In my business a paste and those such things. What exactly is your business? Buying and selling? You have to know if a man will honor his debts? M Now is the water? Ah m, a bowl mhm, and a needle here in my tunic collar always carry one as a traveler. Indulge me, commander, I can help. I'm here to help help. Who what's

he up to? Very well? So? Needle in the water, and my friend, bellow, is it? Yes? Is it the same who wrote the chronicles of Sultan Algory? Yes, you've read them, read them, almost know them by heart. Now were you telling the truth? Just now? I was? Yes, there it is. The needle moves, and the point points that you, my friend, never fails. The needle knows you're a fine writer defending, but a bad liar. I won't cut your throat this moment. If you don't tell me everything,

that would be a loss to literature. And I fear the commanders telling the truth. You see, if not, the needle would have moved huh h before he disappeared to have. He told me to stay away from his chamber. That was when I saw the woman three days past. And when I finally entered, he was gone, much as you told me before. Bellow, it doesn't impress me. I left something out somewhere behind this wall. There's a passage. I don't know how to open it. Let me try. Ah

many skills, my friend, far too many. You see, I said I could be of help. We need a lamp. Hello, you're going first. I can't. I hate tunnels. I would do as you're asked, my friend. He does not look pleased with you. Yes, keep going, Bellow, the lamp high. Are we heading for the palace? As Fatima had him all the time? Bellow? Why would he lie to her face? He believed that the Padda Lack are the servants of evil. He thinks they need him for their ceremony to work.

What ceremony? What evil? He said. In the days before he left, he talked about the balance of our world. It was confused. There are people here who should not be here. People the watchers ring yes, yes, And he said something about tattoos, lizards and snakes always on the left behind the ear. Their sign, Why did you lie? Something is going to happen. I wanted to keep him out of it. If I lied, it would give him time to hide when the woman? Was that a lie to? Oh? No, no, no,

she was there. I saw her with my own eyes, and I saw her before what when when they hanged her? And then when they cremated the body and sent the ashes out to see alkin the same It was always her from the beginning. But now where have you been? I was looking for you, I was, It doesn't matter. I was busy. Sit down, we have some news. I have secured an agreement with the Bataraq. They will depart Human Bay the morning after the festival of the Fires. Now, am I truly the savior of the city? Or am

I not? Come? Come and your mother and say, is how we do things in the provinces. We pull up our sleeves and get things done. Cadali show her majesty the seal of the Grandmaster. Am and do you believe him, my darling. If there is one thing we know about the ball Iraq, it is that they do not lie. I was there, I heard his voice. I can tell when someone is lying. And yet we know the ball Iraq are controlling the city gates. No one goes in

or out without a pass. I believe that you are their prisoner just as much as you think I am your prisoner. Stop now, why it's the truth, Fatima, isn't it time for that? Now the truth? I'll leave you, mistress. Wait when this is all over, when the Ballarak have left, when trade resumes, then this city will need strong, decisive leadership. Indeed, indeed, and do you think the Sultana can provide such leadership? Well, well, no, I don't believe she would. She has been erratic, confused,

not herself recently. True, true, But if I may speak, mistress, fear is not enough. Whoever rules needs the support the love of the people. The Sultana has that love. She's a hero of the fight to have through Maya, the daughter of the great General Cooler and also beloved of the people. I came to tuman Bay in its hour of need with mine own army to defend it against

the Ballaraq. Yes, Mistress, but that, if I may be so bold, the Ballaraq, well, they are still here, they are going I arranged it, yes, and the people will undoubtedly, I'm sure if it feel great affection for you, of course they will. But mm hmmm, and perhaps, yes, perhaps a regency. A regency, Yes, yes, I like that. Go on, it might help solve the problem. I have looked into the histories, and there is president. Some years ago, hundred or more, the mad Sultan was replaced by a regent.

How did that work? Well? He was brought before a council of prominent citizens of Touman Bay and examined. The records show that he was clearly seen to be incompetent, unable to rule effectively, And and a regent was appointed and the Sultan was retired. Actually he was bricked up in a tower. Are the one along the coast. It's still called the Mad Sultan forty years he was there until well, he wasn't m Mad Sultan, the Mad. I

believe the Sultana has been overworked. She's becoming hysterical, irrational. Why should she turn on her beloved Fatima? Otherwise, absolutely, you've put your finger on it. She cannot see what is obvious that you have saved to the city. In years to come, this will be recorded in the annals as one of the great victories of two men baby one without the cost of blood. Why wait, why not write it now? Kadali, you are a man of many talents. You may write the chronicle of my life. Did you know?

I came from a tiny village where my parents and brothers and sisters died of the plague when I was no more than six years old. I followed their bodies to the communal burial pit. And then when I turned away, brokenhearted, lost alone, a shaft of sunlight broke through the dark storm clouds and fell upon a gold coin, half buried in the mud. I picked it up and held it in my mouth to keep it safe. I knew that with this one tiny coin I could build a future

so beautiful, so true, so heroic. It must be told for the ages. So go then and have your scribes write it down. Oh and Gondali, let's just send me the physician. Yes, so, not the palace, not the under city, but an escape passage to the western market, and who knows what else. Look for the tattoos behind the left ear. If you see that, you'll know they're here. They've taken on the feast, so only they can show us that there there that tattoo. Stop him, stop, stop, citizen fellow,

don't move, I kill with me. Moved out of my way. I need to get come back. I'll stop you there. Did you see way? Wait? Yes? In there he went in there in the carpet sell us. Man came in. Just now? Where is he? Oh? There? If he went through there? I think nothing? Look there, carpet moved. Citizen come out, come out? Now? Should I pull it down? Yes? Well? Ah, I wanted adventures. It seems I've got them. Is it some sort of group here street magicians? I've heard of

such things? You give was all trickery. Well, I don't trust that bellow from start. Maybe he did away with this a feast person and wants to lead you off in a different direction. But that maun vanished in plain sight. This is what conjurs make you believe. Commander. I've I've done a little of it myself, just for amusements. Look, I'll show you gold coin in one hand, gold coin in the other hand. Ah, no gold coins? So where can I know? The skillful Commander Gregor has them in

his pocket? Please look stealing my money. I've got to hold them more carefully. Otherwise you two and pay tricks us all steal them again, very good, well done. But what's the man? I'm puzzled. Oh it's magic, And here they are again, coffee on me. I think I know not about the coins. I know how you did that? About something you asked me of a breakfast this morning. Yeah, you asked me how the banquet had gone at the palace.

But I'm surprised. It's perfectly normal questions, surely, But you were there not looking like you do now I'm more like a slave offering food. Who do you work for? This is awful conjecture. No, I love these tiny coffee coats so delicate. I'm at this moment holding a spike. Can you feel the touch of the point on your leg? If it breaks the skin, you will die. I suspect you know enough about poisons to believe me. All right, this is some of the best coffee I've ever drunk.

Who do you work for? I must buy some beans to take home? The question m whoever pays me? Who pays? At the moment, Mistress Fatima, what has she asked you to do? I was summoned to Mumbai for a job and this is done. I'm no threat to you, Commander. What are you? There is a castle in the mountains. It's not anywhere near. Here is far away. And in that castle there's a garden, beautiful garden. It's like paradise, some say, And young men and young women to go there.

And in paradise they are trained in certain arts and sciences, and some achieve m a mastery of their subject. Messengers come, messengers go, Money's offered, tasks are performed. Do you understand, Commander, I've done some jobs previously for her, her husband. You work for her husband. I helped her with the the problem of her husband, a hunting accident and inconvenient bankers. So tell me why I shouldn't kill you now. Look,

we're both the same kind of man, My friend. You know if I give you my word, I will stick by it. Look at me, You'll know if I'm lying. That's what you do, am I. All she has asked me to do is help you and report back to her. Obviously, I give you my word that if those orders ever changed, I will tell you otherwise. Use your spike and finish it. Now. Ah, my friend, my comfort, my lover, my soul delight? What do I do without you? Go away? Different? I have

told you do not disturb me while I'm working. Mistress Fatima is calling for you. Oh the deafens? What now? Very well, go away, go away, I am coming this way. Mrss, you confuse something me. I'm here. How do you unwill No, I'm in fine health, of course, Ah, of course, then how many I solve you? It's someone else, a friend. I need some help, Yes, this person is. It's not herself of late. She has been through a lot, and

her mind is showing signs of being overthrown. Do you see dr So she needs something to help her me calm, not calm so much as her feelings are full of exacting anger, the desire to do herself some deadly harm others too. Perhaps fury pent up inside directed it with someone who loves her very much, so very sad. I do have medicine that can help with such elements father's death.

Perhaps she's still mourning her mother too. Mistress, I have been here in the palace since the time of Sultan Allegori, and I have dealt with many such problems about of the body, end of the mind. Perhaps I could examine your friend and impossible such is her disorder that she will not see you. What we are dealing with doctor. It's a kind of madness, and you are close. I'm like her mother. I only want to help. Of course she doesn't know I'm seeing you. She would be It

would tip her over the edge. But I have to help her, of course, of course, Mrs something effective, something very effective. Yes, Mr me, I just I did I did I know you come up here? Sometimes I am, I admit, fascinated by the glasses. For all her mysteries, Dr Elkin was fascinating woman. Do you never cadally feel embarrassed at the visio? Who feels embarrassment Majesty is himself an embarrassment to those who wished to use his skills regrets sometimes m hm, Well I thought it better to

meet here where no one might suspect. Yes, yes, um hm, I see the work goes well with the aqueductor. It will be done by the festival, they tell us, and then we shall be done with them. Do you believe them? Belief majesty is a luxury visiers cannot afford nor sultans. So let us deal with the here and now, the ballarack. That is not what I wish to talk to you about. I am your grand Vizier, Majesty, I am here to help, to listen and advise. I don't trust you, I need you.

I think you care about two men bey, and I know you care about saving your own skin. And I'm trusting that you also know that you cannot trust Fatima. Mm hmm. You are the vizier. Tell me what is her legal position in this city? Could we simply arrest her? She has no position, Majesty. She is like any other ordinary citizen of Tuman Bay. She's powerful because she has an army, an army of mercenaries. There'd be loyal to

whoever pays them. And if I know Fatima, even though she has the loan, shall be reluctant to part with any gold. Could she simply take power? Have me murder of the people would not stand for it. If she wanted to take power, she would have to do it according to custom, someon a council of leading citizens and prelates, and they would have to consent without dissension. It wouldn't If we move fast pattern a cell to control of the money, then her army would come round. What imprisonment

would be unwise? Her personal guard remained loyal. Dally, you are lucky to be here. These are extraordinary times when things settle. If she is still around, you will receive punishment for what you did to her whatever she has promised. As for what you did to me, well, I will act like a sultana, and if you serve me well, there may be a way back for you. Thank you, sultana. I have learned many things through painful experience. I am a bad master, but a good servant. So do I

have your complete loyalty? Kadali A thousand times? Yes? Yes, so we agree. Agree Fatima has to die, Commander. I'll have tea mint and some food whatever that. I've got it right here. There was a bagger here earlier. I sent him away, so he gave me a coin, not the other way around. M hmm, what's the good of your soul? Give OUs for Cabrillo, my friend. You were at my lodgings, Yes, yes, I was. Tell this is like old times, Commander. I remember a woman came asking

for you my name, by name? What did she look like? She was covered? He too to hit her eyes from come on. She couldn't stay. I couldn't wait. I had to go. Did she say anything she said? That she'd be inside the middan and Suliman at sunset, and the old man the heavy Yes, she knows where he is. It's alkin. It has to be her hiding her eyes, shrouded like a ghost of the living, a spirit and the sun. What does she want? More to the point, what will she tell me? At last? Do I wait?

Do I search? Or what there alkin? You've You've left me a message Hello gregor heaven. I don't have lunk this way their face? Do you know where? I don't know. I said that because I knew you would come. I needed to see you. Why are you here with the battleach? You believe in their doctrine? You've announced your family. Did the Grandmaster send you? Know? He does trust me. He sends me on errands in the city. I want so badly. I want to see my child and I keep up,

but I can't. They watched the house. The Grandmaster is destiny to see if I'm true. I have to live for my family. You should understand that, Lyne to survive. This has nothing to do with me. Be quiet and listen. The Huffy is a part of this too. I don't know how, but he's important. When he went missing. I got you back to two when bay I helped you, and now I need your help. What help? I need you to save my family from what whatever's going to happen. The night of the fires is the end of it.

I'm the Grandmaster's eyes. I read the scrawls to him, and there is a garden somewhere in the city. It says before the city, the garden grew and was fruitful, and the garden abides. The men have forgotten it long since. I believe the garden is real. How will I find this so called garden here? I copied a map from the scrolls. It's screwed, but it will help you. Use your knowledge, Gregory. No one knows the city as you do. I'm not playing game seven. Why should I risk doing

this for you? I'm a busy man. Don't you see what a gift I'm giving you? Who knows the history of the city, who knows the scrawls. I believe that if you find the garden, you will find him. He's a key to everything I have to go. I trust you save my family. Enter Excuse me, mistress, I didn't realize we had a killer. If the killer, I will leave you all, mistress, m do offending pleasant fellow. Yes, he murdered my son. Now there's business with the her fees.

Should it concern me? A mere distraction? There is some wild talk out there about things street magic. It reminds me of the time that I was visiting. It really need not concern you, madam, unless you enjoyed magic. Have you not enjoyed being made to wait? Gregor? What of him? I think it's just spent force obsessed with some dead woman walking The dead always seemed to be walking into Mandy and Gregor. Shall I stay with him? If he's neither threat nor used, then you might as well kill him?

Then I shall m h m hm hm mm hmmm. Wellow mm hmm. How are you feeling, my dear? You were crying in your sleep. I was worried. What are you doing here? I couldn't sleep. I was thinking about today. I hate it when we argue like this. We should support each other. I miss having your clothes. I'm so sorry I upset you today. I was excited by what had happened, but m I was just thinking of myself, not of you. Ah, it's late. Can we talk in the morning for tomorrow? Mother. I'm your mother. I've been

neglecting you. I can see that. But I'm going to make it up to you. I want you to be better. There's nothing wrong with me, it's not. But this will make you feel better. Doctor h what is this one? What is going on? It's for your own good man, Now drink it'll soothe you. Let you sleep without weeping. I don't don't want it. Just a little stop. Let me go your own good help me so ah h mm hmmm, m hm, m hm. Is it done? It is done, mistress, good girl. Sleep now sleep cad Ali

watch her, make sure she sleeps well, of course, mistress. Yeah, look at you now, mar Now, daughter of General Coolon. Yeah. I always rather admired him, that m cool On. He never really acknowledged my existence. I was the dust beneath his sandal. Hm. And yet here you are, and he was in the ground and his brother Greg wor is looking for invisible pupil, and I could not I survive.

I flourish Season four, episode five of t Muan Bay The Watchers, featuring rufus Wright, Kirsty Bushell, Anton Lesser, and Olivia Popka, was written by Mac Rogers with music by Sasha Putnam and editing and sound design by Eloise Whitmore. Timan Bay 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 a full cast list, visit tumun bay dot com