Fire Bird
Vladibear for Tsar Bilibin Tsarevich
Once a respected and powerful ruler, now in his twilight years. Bilibin loves his sons in equal measure but relies on the support of Ivan in his old age. Easily confused and rumoured by some to be in a declining mental state, he fixates on a tree in his garden that produces golden apples.
They don’t believe me, but perhaps you will. (Intense) Yes, you’ll listen won’t you boy? Not like my other sons or the doctors they send to poison me with those tonics and potions.
(A hint of sadness) The pair of them plot and scheme behind my back while they think me too old and weak to do anything about it. (Pause) but their own schemes will be their undoing this time.
You’ve lived a relatively sheltered life here in the palace gardens my child, but this journey will take you past our borders, out into the wilds where traces of the old world still linger. There are things there that are as powerful as they are ancient, waiting out of sight to devour you. Gird yourself boy. And know that wherever your journey takes you my faith and love travel too.
