The Firework-Maker's Daughter by Philip Pullman

Author:Philip Pullman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oberon Books Ltd.

12 - RAZVANI’S GROTTO

LILA’s fall ends as she lands in the grotto of RAZVANI the Fire-Fiend. She’s stunned for a moment. Standing over her is the terrifying figure of RAZVANI the Fire-Fiend, the God of Fire. LILA’s startled and scared by him.

LILA: (Recovering.) Is this the Grotto? Are you the Fire-Fiend?

RAZVANI: I am Razvani! The God of Fire!

LILA: I’m Lila, daughter of LalchandRAZVANI: Why have you come to this place of flames?

LILA: I want to be a Firework-Maker.

RAZVANI: You!

LILA: Yes... I’ve come for Royal Sulphur.

RAZVANI: Where are the Three Gifts?

LILA: What Three Gifts? I don’t know anything about them.

RAZVANI: What are you going to exchange for the Royal Sulphur?

LILA: I didn’t know I was supposed to bring gifts. I’m sorry. I have come quite a long way.

RAZVANI claps his hands. A burning, smoking crevice rents the stage in two. LILA screams as she recoils from the heat.

LILA: I won’t leave without the Royal Sulphur. Please, Razvani. I deserve it. I’ll do anything. Show me what you want.

RAZVANI moves to the other end of the crevice from LILA.

RAZVANI: You want Royal Sulphur, walk through my fire!

LILA: Through there? But how? That’s impossible.

RAMBASHI: Every true Firework-Maker’s passed this test. Are you a true Firework-Maker?

LILA walks towards the flames.

LILA: It’s too hot. I’ll burn to cinders.

RAZVANI: Where’s your magic water?

LILA: My what?

RAZVANI: No Three Gifts and no magic water?

LILA: I don’t know about magic water or the Three Gifts. I will be a Firework-Maker. A good one. I invented self-igniting Crackle Dragons and Shimmering Coins. I’ve learned nearly everything my father could teach me.

RAZVANI: You haven’t learned enough! Ghosts!

GHOST 1 appears.

GHOST 1: I too came without the Three Gifts. I burned so badly...

LILA backs away in fear. GHOST 2 surprises LILA.

GHOST 2: Take heed. I hadn’t worked at the craft. I wasn’t ready. The fire licked my limbs... The pain... Help me...

GHOST 3 appears.

GHOST 3: Maiden, turn back! You’re like me. Headstrong. I had no water from the Goddess. I died... In flames. Don’t join me... Turn back!

LILA’s terrified.

LILA: I’m not like them. I don’t care what anyone says. I am ready. Give me the Royal Sulphur.

RAZVANI: Receive it from my hands. Submit yourself as they did.

LILA’s hesitating. She holds her hands in front of her face as the heat scorches her.

RAZVANI: Your father did it. Why are you waiting? I thought you wanted to be a Firework-Maker?

LILA: That’s all I want.

RAZVANI: Then you must prove yourself.

LILA girds herself.

RAZVANI: You want to be a Firework-Maker? Walk into my flames!

LILA screws up her courage and walks into the flames. She immediately screams out in pain. She’s starting to burn.

LILA: Help. Help me. Razvani? I’m burning.

She’s surely dead.

HAMLET and CHULAK fly into the Grotto. The heat is too much for them. CHULAK runs as close as he can.

CHULAK: Lila! The water! Catch it!

CHULAK throws the flask of magic water. LILA catches it, but it’s too late. She sinks into the flames. RAZVANI disappears. HAMLET and CHULAK stand back from the roaring heat.

CHULAK: Lila!

There’s no sign of her.

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