(We open in a beautiful rose garden. The stone walls of the castle pull out to reveal the exterior, walls surrounded by rose bushes and other lovely flowers. Daphne wanders among them, following the path and looking for the person who summoned her.)

Soft Voice: Psst! (A tree above Daphne's head rustles) Hey, Daph!

Daphne: *stops* Can't be... David?

Davy: Yeah, its...whoa! (He falls out of the tree and lands flat on his back)

Daphne: Are you okay? *low so only he can hear* I don't remember that being in the script.

Davy: I'm fine, luv. (so only she can hear) It wasn't. I just fell like a bloody fool.

Daphne: *still low* I don't think the audience knows the difference. *normal* David! How did you get here?

Davy: Snuck in on a carriage, luv. I can't stay long. The carriage will be leaving for Silver Moon Inn soon!

Daphne: *smiles* I'm just so happy to see you again! What about Michael? Is he with you?

Davy: (Shakes his head) No. He stayed behind at the Inn to work on a few things with our men. (Softly) We're not supposed to tell anyone this, but I can trust you. We're...luv, we're going to help the people of Lone Star Manor.

Daphne: *nods, taking his hands* Just please be careful.

Davy: You too, luv. (Soft growl) I wish I could take you with me. I don't like you stayin' here. We were almost killed by some of the king's guards.

Daphne: Oh dear! *sighs* There's something very terrible going on.

Davy: What, luv? Tell me about it. Have you seen anythin' here?"

Daphne: The problem is, I’m not really sure. I fear it has something to do with Lord George and Lady Lauren. *shakes her head* I don't trust them.

Davy: Nor do I. (Looks at Daphne) Could you...I hate asking you, but could you do something? Somethin' dangerous?

Daphne: For you, I'll do anything.

Davy: Could you keep an eye on the Lady and Lord when they're here in the castle? You can send your reports with our men or with me. (Sighs) I'd give any excuse to come see you. Even just the hours we've been apart...I've missed you so much.

Daphne: *nods* And I you.

Davy: I shouldn't even be here. Lord George probably thinks we're dead.

Daphne: Please be careful, David.

Davy: I will, Daphne. Michael has promised I can have your hand in marriage when we can clear ourselves of this crime. You know we would never harm the other advisors. George planted that evidence, but we can't prove it.

Daphne: *smiles* You'll figure something out, I know you will.

Davy: You have to help us clear our names! (He takes her hand) I was going to ask you to marry me on Michael's wedding day, but now... (Frowns) Does Emily still believe...

Daphne: It doesn't look good.

Davy: (Sadly) Poor Michael. He's trying not to show it, but he's heartbroken. He says Emily has betrayed him, and now he wants no part of any woman.

Daphne: I think once this whole ordeal is sorted out, Emily will go back to him as long as Michael will take her back.

Davy: Have you talked to Emily about it? How does she feel about Michael?

Daphne: I think she's unsure and is putting on a front.

Davy: Michael said he's proud of your defending us, and that he doesn't mind if I still want to marry you after we clear ourselves... (sighs) but he never wants any woman ever again. I wish there was a way of bringing those two together!

(Suddenly, there's the sound of footsteps coming over the flagstone paths.)

Emma: (Off-stage) Daphne?

Davy: Yikes! I have to hide!

Daphne: Oh dear!

(Davy manages to duck behind a rose bush and hide in plain sight of the audience...but not of Emma, who comes on stage carrying a staff.)

Emma: Oh, there you are! What was that message about?

Daphne: *shakes her head* I don't know! I've been wandering around out here, but haven't seen anyone!

Emma: I know I heard a man's voice...

Daphne: There is a wind today. It could be carrying.

Emma: (Sighs) That's true. Some of the King's Guards are sparring today. (Shrugs, then) I came to ask you if you wanted to join the other women and I. We're going to be practicing for the rest of the afternoon. It'll take my mind off (sighs) events of the day.

Daphne: *nods* Yes, I think I would like to join you. (Sighs herself) For the same reasons.

Emma: I can't believe Michael would do that. I thought...I thought I could trust him.

(Davy rustles the leaves of the rose bush, trying to get Daphne's attention. He has to go soon.)

Daphne: *nods* I just don't know what to believe. I just wish this was some horrible nightmare so I could be back in David's arms for good.

Emma: How could you believe them? Didn't you see the evidence with your own eyes? Didn't you see the blood in Michael's chambers at Lone Star Manor?

Daphne: I saw...I just don't understand WHY they would do it. That's why, I just...I feel like there's something very wrong going on.

Emma: I agree. (Narrows her eyes) I saw Lady Lauren doing SOMETHING to Queen Valeria. It looked like the same trick Lord George did on King Peter this morning in the throne room. She was rubbing her head. She claimed to be calming her, but I think it was something more than that. I think she may have been hexing her, putting her under some kind of spell.

(Davy's eyes widen.)

Daphne: *frowns* That's exactly what I mean.

Emma: We MUST be alert at all times. The Queen should never have fewer than two of us by her side, and there should always be two or more of us guarding hers and the King's rooms at night and her chambers during the day. I fear George and Lauren may try again.

Daphne: As do I.

Emma: I will return to the other women. We need to hone our skills to a fine edge if we're to protect our queen. (Frowns) Are you sure you weren't seeing any men out here? That voice reminded me a great deal of David, Michael's little ward. (Makes a face) I hope you aren't seeing him out here. I don't want you involved with a possible criminal.

(Davy makes a face of his own behind the rose bush.)

Daphne: I'm positive, Emily. I haven't seen anyone out here.

Emma: Very well. I'll leave you. (Shakes her head) I know you must think me hard-hearted, Daphne, but...it's for the best. You're too good for a criminal. Until he and Michael can clear their names, I want you to have nothing to do with him.

(Emma goes to Daphne and takes her shoulder.)

Daphne: *nods* I understand.

Emma: Good. I'll take my leave. Please join us when you are ready.

(The moment she leaves, Davy springs out from behind the bush.)

Daphne: Well...

Davy: Daphne! (He goes to her) Did you hear what she said?

Daphne: How could I not?

Davy: Well, that settles it. Michael and I MUST clear our names! She'll never let us wed if she believes us to be false.

Daphne: There has to be a way to find out what truly happened to Andrew and Lorrena.

Davy: Follow Lauren as discreetly as you can. George is frequently out and about in the kingdom, but she doesn't leave the castle as often. Not only may she try to harm the Queen again, but she may lead you to Lorrena and Andrew. I suspect they may not be dead...or if they are, George and Lauren know where their bodies are hid. (Thoughtful) You know...did anyone ever find their bodies?

Daphne: *eyes widen* Come to think of it, I don't recall anyone ever saying they did!

Davy: You may want to mention this to the Queen and King. Even if King Peter is under George's control, Valeria has some power. She could order all of you to search for the bodies.

Daphne: *nods* The very first chance I get, I will tell them.

Davy: Just watch out, Daphne. I fear that if Lady Lauren and Lord George catch you spying, they may try to control you too. I don't know what I'd do if...if they... (He pulls her closer to him)

Daphne: I will be extremely careful, David. I promise.

Davy: I love you so much, Daphne. (He sings "Love to Love," which turns into a short dance duet. The dance number is interrupted by the sound of footsteps.)

Davy: Luv, I can't stay. (He takes her in his arms again) You'll await my messages. They'll always come from one of the woodsmen who work in the area of the Haunted Woods. They're on our side. We'll meet here, in the rose garden, where we loved to walk together.

Daphne: *lays her head on his shoulder* Take care of yourself.

Davy: (Kisses the top of her head, and then her lips) I will, luv. (He manages to duck behind the bushes again and offstage as Lauren enters)

Daphne: (Touches her lips; half to herself) Darn, he's good.

Lauren: Daphne?

Daphne: (Whirls around; gasps) Lady Lauren! You startled me! (She puts a hand on her heart) What are you trying to do, make a poor maid keel over?

Lauren: No, but I am wondering what you're doing out here. Other than talking to yourself, of course.

Daphne: Me? Oh, just walking in the rose garden. It's the most beautiful part of the castle. I love being here.

Lauren: Mm hmm. And that's why you were talking to yourself. I get it.

Daphne: Talking to myself? Me? (Shakes her head) That was just the voices of the King's Guards sparring on the Practice Grounds. They do spar rather loudly.

Lauren: Perhaps. *motions* Why don't you come inside? It's starting to get chilly out here.

Daphne: (Shakes her head) No thank you. I'm really rather warm. I think I'll join Emily and the other Queen's Guards on the second practice field.

Lauren: Alright. As long as it's constructive.

Daphne: Oh, it is! We need to hone our skills, you know.

Lauren: Then you'd better run along!

Daphne: I will! (She hurries off, blushing)

(Lauren goes in the other direction as the Rose Garden set slides off and the Throne Room set slides on. Micky sits in one of the thrones, sprawled in it, basking in the glory of sitting in the big chair.)

Micky: Now, THIS is the LIFE!

Lauren: Enjoying yourself, dear?

Micky: INCREDIBLY!

Lauren: I wouldn't enjoy myself too much if I were you. There's something going on with the Queen's Guards. I think they may be catching on...or one of them is. (Frowns) I just spoke to Daphne, Lady Emily's ward, in the rose garden. I could have sworn I heard male voices with her, but when I finally found her, she was alone.

Micky: *raises an eyebrow and pauses in his basking* Did you see anyone?

Lauren: No. Whomever was there disappeared before I arrived.

Micky: I don't like this.

Lauren: Nor do I. I think she may be suspicious...and may have already passed on her suspicions to Lady Emily. If they put two and two together...

Micky: *sits up and smacks his palm on the arm of the throne* We have to do something about them!

Lauren: We can't do something about them without alerting the Queen. She's always with them, and they're always together.

Micky: We need to do SOMETHING!

Lauren: We'll have to distract them in some way. (Thoughtful) What if we used the King to distract them? If we can get him to distract the Queen somehow, it may keep them out of our hair as well.

Micky: *nods* I think the King is our best bet.

Lauren: Where is King Peter, anyway? With his dear Valeria?

Micky: Yes, he is.

Lauren: Good. He's already begun, then.

(Nyles and Jessie enter at this point, both of them looking a little worse for the wear.)

Micky: What happened to you two?

Jessie: We had a little fun at the Silver Moon Inn. (She hiccups and straightens her blouse)

Micky: A LITTLE fun?

Nyles: Yeah. *Puts his index finger and thumb together.* Just a little.

Jessie: Buncha roughneck woodsmen and musicians started a brawl.

Lauren: Oh, is that all?

Jessie: (Thinks) You know, the two musicians looked sorta familiar...

Micky: How familiar?

Jessie: I dunno. I think I've seen them somewheres before. (Looks at Nyles) Do you remember where you've seen them?

Nyles: Yeah, we saw 'em in the bar.

Jessie: I mean before that. I know we've seen them somewheres else besides the bar...

Lauren: Where?

*Nyles just shrugs.*

Jessie: You guys won't like what they were sayin'.

Lauren: What were they saying?

Jessie: I think...something about helping the people of Belgravia and stealing stuff. Or something like that.

Lauren: (Looks at Micky) Why would a bunch of woodsmen and musicians want to help the people of Belgravia?

Jessie: I think they were going to try stealing stuff. Or so our men said when they could stand up again.

Micky: I do NOT like the sounds of this.

Lauren: Would you two be able to sober up long enough to scout this out? (Smirks) Maybe what we need is bait.

Micky: *nods* An excellent idea.

Lauren: We'll send Nyles, Jessie, and some of our men through with a shipment of gold that's going to Lone Star Manor to finance our takeover there, and when those men come and try to take it...they'll get them.

Jessie: But I don't wanna hurt them! Some of them were cute!

Lauren: You won't hurt them. You'll just arrest them and bring them to us.

Micky: *smirks* And we'll take care of them.

Jessie: Sure! (Grins) Will it be fun?

Lauren: Loads of fun!

Micky: Tons.

Jessie: Ooh! (Grabs Nyles' arm) Let's go get those woods guys! I wanna have more fun!

Nyles: Okay, okay...

Jessie: Yay! Let's go! (She drags Nyles offstage. Lauren turns to Micky)

Lauren: Do you suppose those musicians...

Micky: *sighs* It better not be.

Lauren: I thought you said the guards killed them!

Micky: They were supposed to have killed them! *growls* They better have.

Lauren: Michael and David WILL interfere with our plans. That's why we wanted them out of the way in the first place.

Micky: I KNOW that! They HAVE to be dead! We need them gone to continue our plans!

Lauren: Nyles and Jessie will make sure for us. And if it is them... (she smirks) they'll be as good as dead when they bring them here anyway, if our men don't kill them first.

Micky: One way or another, they WILL be dead.

Lauren: And then, the kingdom will be ours!

*They share an evil laugh as the curtains draw together for a scene change.*

(We cut backstage as the stagehands and Larry ready the Parched Mountains/Silver Moon Inn set. Millie comes out, carrying a basket of props for the next scene.)

Millie: Hey Larry, have you seen Micky? I want to know where to put these.

Larry: (He's leaning over a fake tree, trying to fix the leaves) I think he was just coming offstage with Lauren.

*Emilio walks by, trying to untangle some wires and not really paying attention to who sees him.*

Millie: (As she starts over to the other side of the stage) Oh! (She runs into Emilio, nearly dropping her basket) I'm sorry, hon. I didn't see you... (Frowns) Micky?

Emilio: *eyes widen; realizes* I'm sorry! I should've been watching where I was going!

Millie: That's all right. I thought you were coming from the stage.

Emilio: Oh, I, uh, really needed to use the men's room.

Millie: Isn't it in that (she points the other way) direction? (Frowns thoughtfully) You know, Micky, you just don't seem like yourself.

Emilio: It's, uh, all the running around I'm doing.

Millie: Well, that makes sense. You do have a lot on your plate. (Smiles) If you need cheesecake and an ear to bend, you know where to find me.

Emilio: Thanks, I really appreciate that! Gotta go! *takes off, waving over his shoulder*

Millie: You're welcome. (Stops and thinks for a minute) Hey, you never told me where to put these! (And we fade out as Millie tries to follow him)