The King's Players

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The King's Players

ACT ONE

Scene One

Tea

Wednesday, 15 December, 1937

Essex, London

Greta Sawyer clung to her mother's hand. She'd never been out of Hogsmeade before, and she could hardly believe all the sights around her. They were in London. The Ministry was here. Diagon Alley was here. And best of all, they got to play dress up! She got to wear silly Muggle clothing. And those things that Daddy was wearing! What would he do when he had to go to the toilet? She giggled at the thought.

"Look at all the Muggles, Mummy!" Greta pointed at a passing woman. The woman was wearing clothes as funny as hers and Mummy's. She carried flimsy packages in her hands, and headed toward one of those horseless carriages that Muggles had, even though they didn't have magic. Greta figured that they borrowed them from wizards.

"Don't point, Greta, it's rude! And don't draw attention to yourself. We have to blend in, remember what Mummy told you?" Mrs Sawyer took hold of Greta's other hand and held it close.

"But Mummy..." Greta looked up.

"Listen to your mother, dear." Mr Sawyer ruffled Greta's hair lovingly. "Mummy and I promised we'd take you to see the building where Mummy works when you're old enough, and now you have to show us what a big girl you can be, all right, pumpkin?"

"Arright." Greta mumbled.

"That's two words, dear. All and right. Not arright." Mrs Sawyer sighed, but Greta wasn't listening. Her eyes were still alight taking in all the sights, and she really wanted to see where Mummy went when she Disapparated every morning. All those people scurrying past. All those buildings, so big, like castles!

"Mummy..." Greta tugged her mother's hand. She started to point at a man across the road when she remembered that she wasn't supposed to point. "Mummy... that man over there looks funny."

"Yes, dear, you'll get used to it. Muggles don't look like we do. The way they dress!" Mrs Sawyer kept walking straight ahead, muttering something about lack of dignity. Greta wasn't listening anymore; she couldn't tear her eyes off the strange man who had altered his stride to keep up with the Sawyers.

"No... Mummy... Daddy... look..." Greta tugged harder. She looked up pleadingly at her mother. Flicking her eyes across the road, she saw the man looking at them. "Mummy... the funny man... I think we know him..."

At this, finally, Mr and Mrs Sawyer looked over discreetly. They caught a fleeting glimpse of the man before he vanished into the crowd.

"Oh, Earl. You don't think it could be him, do you? Not here, not now, not with Greta." Mrs Sawyer's eyes wrinkled with worry.

"Just keep walking, Claire. We're in the middle of Muggle London. He's never been so rash before, has he?" Of course, both adults knew that to be a complete lie, but Earl wrapped his arm around his wife, shielding Greta between them. He herded the two of them into a nearby café. Greta looked from one to the other, wondering what had them worried so. It was only a man, right?

As Earl walked through the door, he felt a hand on his back.

"Grindelwald."

"Have a seat with me, and there's no need for a scene, now is there? You have a lovely pair of girls, I must say." Frozen with fear, he felt a foreign hand draw his wand out from his pocket. "I'll just hold on to this for safekeeping, why don't I? And yours, Madame?"

Grindelwald moved around and reached into Claire's sleeve where she had secreted her wand and drew it out with ease and fluidity. It vanished as he twirled it in his fingers. A good many wizards would give their wand arm for that trick, he knew.

Grindelwald knelt down to the floor in front of Greta, who was still very confused about all this.

"Who're you?" she asked him.

"Ah, who am I? I'm your new friend." He laughed, and a bouquet of daisies appeared at a snap of his fingers. Greta started to laugh as he handed her the flowers.

"I like daisies! They're my favourite flower! How did you know?" Grindelwald laughed with her.

"I have to know those things if I'm going to be your friend, now don't I?" He scooped her up into her arms and swung her around. Earl and Claire Sawyer let out simultaneous gasps, but a dark glance from him silenced them both. "What do you say we have a seat and have some hot cocoa, eh, Greta?"

"How'd you know my name?" Greta was still laughing and clutching the daisies that he'd handed her.

"Never you mind, my dear. Never you mind. Come." He sat her down in a chair, and gestured that her parents should also sit with them.

"Waitress!" A young woman who looked to be in her late teens came over carrying a pad of paper. She had snowmen for earrings.

"Hi, welcome to Christine's Café. My name is Serena and I'll be your waitress. We're having a special for the holidays. Peppermint tea." She dropped her voice conspiratorially. "Please don't order it. We're trying to convince Christine never to get it again." The cheerfulness returned to her voice as if she'd never broken off.

"Other than that, it's all on the regular menu, and I recommend the tuna. It's freshest. Quite good, really, I've been surviving on it myself. Oh, and don't eat the ham. Just take my word for that."

"Serena, was it? Yes. I'd like a hot cocoa for me and another for the little lady here. With extra sugar, if you please." Grindelwald winked at Greta before he looked over at Mr Sawyer. "And for you? My treat this time, don't you worry."

"That peppermint tea... is there alcohol in that?" Earl's voice was shaking. Claire's head snapped around to glare at him. Her look held volumes. Why would there be alcohol in tea? Are you trying to draw attention to us? Earl apologised with his eyes, but the waitress chattered on without noticing any of it.

"Oh, don't I wish," said Serena. "Would do us all some good, wouldn't it? But we don't serve alcohol here, I'm afraid. No, it's got your standard black tea and some peppermint oil in it, but nothing stronger. They didn't even think to steep the actual mint leaves; that might have been, well, equally wrong."

"Can't win them all, can you? I'll have a regular cup of tea, in that case. And you, dear?" He looked over to Claire, desperately trying to sound normal. A look passed between them, We had to get the only perky waitress in the whole of England now, didn't we?

"Tea sounds perfect."

"All right, that'll be two hot cocoas, with extra sugar, and two cups of tea, no peppermint, got it. Anything else, something to eat?" Serena was busy scratching the order down in her pad.

"Oh, do you have any pears?"

"No, sorry, sir. Not this late in the year. I can get you a list of our desserts, if you like."

"Shame, that. No, I just was hoping for a good pear. The cocoa'll do very nicely, though." He smiled at her, and her eyes glazed over just a little before she smiled back.

"I'll be right back with your drinks." She hurried off.

"Right, then. Let's get down to it, shall we?" Grindelwald sat with a pleasant smile on his face. He took out from his coat pocket a small figurine and laid it on the table. Claire let out a small, terrified sob when she saw it.

"Look, Mummy! It's a lady!" Greta squealed with delight as she reached for the red carving of a tall woman.

"Greta, no!" Her father caught her hand before she touched the figurine.

Grindelwald laughed. "Oh, let her. It doesn't bite, and she certainly can't hurt it." He picked up the woman and handed it to Greta. She started tracing the intricate detail with her finger ever so delicately.

"I take it from your reaction that you recognise that piece, Claire. Tell me about her."

"It's... It's... the major red queen from your set." Claire reached out her hand to Greta, who only very reluctantly gave up her prize. "She's... the first piece you lost. About five years before the game even began."

Grindelwald's face darkened, and his eyes grew dangerous. "Why do you know that? Who told you that?"

"I make it a point to know things. That's what archivists do. Besides, I knew Morrigan Marvolo. She was my dearest friend before she vanished into the Muggle world..."

"...never to be seen again, I know the rhetoric, do spare me, please. You know where she is, and you will lead me to her."

Claire clutched the red queen until she thought it might shatter.

"So, a hot cocoa for the little lady here, and one for you, sir, and tea for you and you. And, as luck would have it, we actually did have a pear in the back, still ripe and everything. It was like magic." Serena started setting drinks down in front of each of them, oblivious to the tension at the table.

"If you change your mind about that dessert list... try the tart. My God, it's delicious."

Claire waited until the waitress was out of earshot once again before looking up from her cup, hardly even noticing the girl's flippant and borderline-blasphemous use of the Lord's name. "Morrigan ran away from a lot of things, most of all people like you. People who would treat her like some sort of Dark queen. She never understood that. She never wanted any part of it. Just because she was a Marvolo. Doesn't make her Dark, does it. She's just a witch like any other." She took a sip of her tea.

Grindelwald stared at Claire. "You really don't know, do you? She never was a witch like any other. There was never any such thing as 'Just a Marvolo.' You have no idea what that bloodline is, do you? I thought that you were just taking pride in how you people down in Archives knew."

Greta giggled as she got cream on her nose. Grindelwald smiled. "But it doesn't really matter after all this time, does it? All that matters is that you have what I want, and I have," he wiped the cream off of Greta's nose and let her lick it off his finger, "what you want. Greta here does not leave my side until that woman is delivered to me. You understand?"

"Claire..." Earl whispered frantically. "Tell him!"

"Earl, you don't understand." Claire's voice was filled with fright.

"What doesn't he understand? Oh, do enlighten us all." Grindelwald folded his hands and rested his chin on them.

"Sh... she's been dead for ten years. She died in '27." Claire nearly knocked over her tea. She pushed her cup away.

"Pray tell; how did she die?"

"In... in..."

"Yes?" He took a bite of his pear.

"In childbirth." Grindelwald stopped chewing mid-bite.

"And who was the father?" Greta looked up as he swallowed the bit of pear still in his mouth. He did not smile down at her.

"A Muggle man. I never knew his name. He threw her out when he found out she was a witch. She was already pregnant. That's all I know. I swear it. Please."

"Please?" Grindelwald laughed again. "Please what? It sounds like you're asking for something. Are you asking for something?"

Earl looked at Claire, his eyes full of pleading. She looked down.

"I would never presume to ask something of one so great as you."

Amusement lit up his eyes as he said, "Oh, but you do amuse me. What is it that you aren't daring to ask me?"

Claire stared at Greta, but did not say a word.

"Ah. Yes. Well, you see, I am a man of my word, am I not? I asked for Morrigan. Did you give her to me?"

"I told you all I know." Claire's voice had an edge of trepidation. "I swear it. I swear it on my life that's all I know."

"It's not your life I'm interested in. I did not ask you if you told me all you know. I asked you if you gave her to me."

"I cannot. She is dead. I don't know where she is buried." She clutched the red queen for dear life.

"Then I'm afraid that I cannot give you what you want. Our business here is concluded. Come. We'll walk out together, shall we?" Tossing a few coins on the table, he got up from the table, and the four of them walked out onto the street.

"Greta, would you like to come see something very special?" Grindelwald knelt in front of Greta once more.

"Mummy? Is it arright?" Greta liked her new friend, but seemed to sense that something wasn't right. She glanced from her daisies to her mother.

"No, honey. Come to Daddy." Earl finally tried to take some control of the situation.

Claire never saw Grindelwald draw his wand; she never heard the spell he whispered. She only saw her husband clutch at his left arm, clamp his jaw, and fall silent.

"If I were you, dear, I'd start making a fuss. Muggles don't like it when the wife doesn't make a fuss. Makes 'em suspicious, it does. And then where would we be for the secrecy of our kind? Oh, and I'd like my chess piece back." He held out his hand expectantly.

Claire held out the red queen in shock. Grindelwald handed it to Greta.

"Here you are, my dear. You can hold onto this for safe keeping for me, how does that sound? We're going to go see some really special things while Mummy takes care of Daddy, all right?"

Greta looked from Earl to Claire to Grindelwald.

"Go, Greta." Claire bit her lip.

"You are a wiser woman than I gave you credit for, Claire. You never had a daughter. Remember that. Never. When anyone asks, you never had a daughter. I tell you that for your own benefit, and only because I like you. If you find me Morrigan's child, things may yet go well for you. If not, you may see me again. I may be the last thing you ever see."

He took Greta by the hand, and the two of them left as Earl let out the first real cry of pain. Claire caught him as he fell, and found that not making a fuss would have been much harder than screaming for help.

"Help, help, oh help!"

But she knew that no one could. No one could save Earl Sawyer.

Serena rushed out of the café at the commotion, snowman earrings swinging as she ran. Claire cursed the girl for being so damned nice. Why couldn't she be like all the other waitresses she'd ever had? They were in it for the money, and made sure Claire knew it. That was the way things were supposed to be. Why did they have to have this girl who cared today of all days?

"Oh, God, I'll call the police. Where's your little girl? Is she all right?"

"The little girl? She wasn't mine. She was the other man's daughter. They left already."

It was the hardest thing she'd ever had to say in her life, and the words came out flatter than any Claire had ever spoken. Collapsing over her dying husband, she started to sob uncontrollably.

--==[[<]]==--

"Is Daddy going to be arright?" Greta tugged on Grindelwald's hand as they walked.

"Your Mum is taking care of him, isn't she? Aren't you always all better after she takes care of you?" He smiled down at her.

"Yeah, I s'pose so, she jus' seemed so scared." Greta looked doubtful.

"That's Mummy's job, to worry. It's our job to enjoy ourselves and play while she makes things better. Sound good to you?" Grindelwald stopped and took both of Greta's hands.

"Arright." She seemed satisfied.

"Excellent. Do you like games?"

"Oh, yes! I love games! I have lots of games at home!" Greta's eyes lit up.

"I have games at my home, too. Do you want to see them? I have games and puzzles and all sorts of things." There was a glint in his eye that Greta was too young to see.

"What kind of puzzles?" She was caught already.

"You like figuring things out?" He smiled as she nodded enthusiastically. "There, you see, Greta? I told you we'd be great friends."

"Where do you live? Can we go there now?"

Taking out a silver pocket watch engraved with a black kitten on one side and a pair of gloves draped over a closed fan on the other, he nodded.

"Soon. In fact, we'd better start moving. It'll be dark soon. All sorts of people come out after dark. This way, follow meeeee!" He broke into a mock run, Greta on his heels screeching with delight.

The pair did not slow down until they reached a narrow alley. Grindelwald stopped at what seemed to be a blank wall, except for the way he stared at it with intense concentration.

"Two over... six up..." He counted bricks, though Greta couldn't tell where he was starting. "Ah, here it is. Stand back." He tapped the brick he wanted with his wand. Greta waited. Nothing happened.

"Whassit s'pposed to do?"

"It's just being temperamental. Hold on." He tapped the brick again. This time, it slid out of its place and into Grindelwald's waiting hands. "There we are. There's only thirty seconds to spare. Take hold of the edge."

Greta put her hand on the brick just in time to feel a hook pull behind her navel. She closed her eyes.

"Go on. Open them."

"Where are we?" Greta looked around with wonder.

"My home. Shall I show you around? You'll be here for a while."

"What's that?" Greta went straight to the table with the fateful chess pieces.

"Ah, you have an eye for the important things in life. You'll serve me very well, indeed. That, my dear, is the world. Don't touch it! All those pieces are people!" He joined Greta at the table, pointing out a white pawn. "Do you see that pawn?"

"What's a pawn?" Greta scanned the table in confusion.

"The short ones. They're rounder than the other pieces, see? Less detailed. They're the ones that your eyes might pass over." Grindelwald moved his hand over the board in demonstration. "Here, look at this one. See this white one right here?"

"Uh huh."

"I moved this piece just last night. This piece is your Mum. And now your Mum is moving along," he traced a line with his finger, "this path. That's what these pieces do."

"So where'm I?

"You? You're right here!" Grindelwald picked her up and carried her over to the couch.

"No-o-o-o!" Greta giggled. "I meant over there!"

"You're not over there. But I suspect that you may yet get a piece of your own."

Greta's laughter died down, and she became very serious. Looking up at Grindelwald, she whispered, "What about..." Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out the red queen. "What about this one?"

"Ah. That's the major red queen. That piece represented a woman by the name of Morrigan Marvolo. Your mother informs me that she is dead."

Greta's eyes lit up once again. "Morrigan! My middle name is Morrigan! Mummy named me after a friend she used to have. Maybe it's the same lady!"

The world froze for Grindelwald as Greta babbled on.

"And my grandmum is Greta, too. That's why my Daddy wanted to name me Greta. So I'm the second Greta Sawyer, but she's Greta Alice Sawyer, and I'm Greta Morrigan Sawyer, so it's not exactly the same, but we like to pretend sometimes, and..."

"Hush for a moment, sweetie."

Perhaps he could still find this mysterious Marvolo child. Greta started to look frightened.

"I'm not s'pposed to tell anyone my middle name. Mummy says that people should forget her friend. 'Specially when I get to Hogwarts, she said. But you already remember her, so I guess it's arright."

Hogwarts. Morrigan had died ten years earlier in childbirth. The child would be in the incoming class. Merlin's beard, it was almost too easy.

"Yes, Greta. Of course it's all right. In fact, I think you will have a piece in the game. Would you like that?"

Nodding enthusiastically Greta asked, "What do I have to do?"

"Absolutely nothing." Grindelwald drew out his wand, and before Greta knew what was happening, there was a small red pawn sitting on the couch where an instant before there had been a little girl.

--==[[<>]]==--