Who’s this Sterling we’ve heard so much about?
Transcript is below the cut!
HANNAH
Hi everyone. Hannah here. A quick content note before we begin. You’re about to meet Knowles, who is a sergeant in the guard, the same guard that Sterling becomes captain of at the end of season two. The guard is a body of law enforcement under the direct orders of the throne, which makes Knowles a fantasy cop.
I realize it’s a lot to ask for many of our listeners to call a character like this a hero without question. I could talk about how I didn’t write this story to make a greater political statement, but politics are borne of ideology, and no art is free of politics, and furthermore, calling the current issues with law enforcement a political issue is a pretty privileged position anyway. I could talk about how the worldbuilding of this particular story does not require a body of law enforcement based in racism, but the guard was created by the monarchy to protect their interest and the interests of the nobles, and classism isn’t better.
Here’s what I will say. These ideas are not going to go unaddressed. It will take a while in the story, but it is going to happen, starting in season three and coming to a head in season four, God willing and the creek don’t rise. Knowles will, through the lens of individual character development, have to consider exactly what their power means and who it is used to protect, and they will have to take action. In the meantime, I encourage you to continue thinking critically about this show. I wouldn’t want you to just blindly accept what I say anyway.
Thank you for listening, and please take care of yourselves. Let’s go.
Brief silence.
Background noises of a wide, open space, muffled people speaking and thuds as if by metal objects.
TRAVER
I’m telling you, this… new captain is just going to be more of the same.
VIRA
Oh come now, Traver. How bad can he be?
TRAVER
Bet you five gold he’s terrible.
VIRA
I’ll take that bet.
KNOWLES
What’s going on here?
VIRA
(fumbling)
Oh, uh. Nothing, Sergeant.
TRAVER
No, it’s okay, Vira. Knowles doesn’t mind betting.
(conspiring)
They know all the odds.
KNOWLES
Oh, are we gambling? Without me?
(excited)
What are we betting on?
VIRA
We were just talking about the new captain.
TRAVER
Maybe you can shed some light here. Have you… heard anything about him?
KNOWLES
(yes)
I’ve heard a thing or two. Huddle up, guards! I’ll let you in on this.
(pause for drama)
His name is Lord Sterling Whitetower. Highborn, on the younger side and, if the word I have is correct, awfully stuck up.
He used to be a paladin, but then was kicked out because he thought he could break the rules of conduct! Denies the whole thing, even convinces King Broderick, may he rest in peace, to recommend his reinstatement. The order says no, of course, because they have a little something called moral fiber.
TRAVER
(dully)
Sounds like a real delight.
KNOWLES
Doesn’t he just? The only reason he’s been appointed captain is because he managed to find Dame Aveline, which, while impressive, doesn’t exactly speak to his qualifications of command, does it?
TRAVER
(clicks tongue)
No, it does not.
VIRA
C’mon, now. He can’t be worse than Captain Brindle.
TRAVER
(laughing, dry)
Of course not. No one was worse than Captain Brindle.
KNOWLES
Oh, is that what the bet was? That won’t do, that’s too subjective. You have to be specific.
VIRA
(will miss those five gold)
What do you mean?
KNOWLES
Well, for example, our Lord Whitetower is heroic, but can’t seem to follow simple rules like “don’t mess around with a married woman,” which tells me he thinks he’s above the law.
A safer bet would be that our new captain is found to be corrupt in the first six months.
(satisfied)
There’s a bet you can collect on.
VIRA
Alright. I see.
TRAVER
Still optimistic about your chances, Vira?
VIRA
I mean, not anymore.
KNOWLES
(chuckles)
I do have that effect on people.
Footsteps coming closer.
STERLING
Excuse me?
KNOWLES
(disinterested)
Yes, my lord?
STERLING
I’m looking for the officer on duty. Someone called… Teric Knowles?
KNOWLES
Ah, you’ve found them, my lord, that’s me.
(flatly)
How can I help you?
STERLING
I’m Sterling Whitetower. Eh… Captain Sterling Whitetower.
KNOWLES
Captain– Very pleased to meet you, sir. You’ll be wanting to see your office I’m sure?
STERLING
Actually, if possible, I’d prefer to address the guards. As many as we can manage at one time.
KNOWLES
Oh, well, we’re between shifts right now. Two thirds of us are here.
STERLING
Splendid. How do you recommend I get their attention?
KNOWLES
(shouting to the rest of the room)
Hey, shut your gobs! The new captain wants to say something!
Room quiets down. Background noises stop.
KNOWLES
(at a normal volume)
Sir.
STERLING
Thank you.
(clears throat)
My name is Sterling Whitetower. I’m sure I’ll meet you all individually later, but for now I’d just like to say this:
Your duty is to protect the people under your care, whether by word or sword or… with your very lives! My duty is the same, but I have the additional task of looking after each of you, ensuring that you can protect people in every way I know how.
I promise you that I will take this duty seriously and enact it to my utmost ability, as long as I have the honor of being your captain.
Thank you for your attention. You may go about your business.
Background noises slowly pick up.
STERLING
I’ll be addressing the next shift as well, as soon as they get back. But I’d like to see my office.
KNOWLES
Right there, sir. That door.
STERLING
Ah, good. Will you please come by in fifteen minutes? I have questions for you.
KNOWLES
(a little more respectfully)
Yes, sir.
STERLING
Thank you.
Footsteps going away.
KNOWLES
Hm.
VIRA
Well… you can certainly tell he’s highborn.
TRAVER
Doesn’t strike me as a fun-loving sort.
VIRA
No, he does not.
KNOWLES
I like him.
TRAVER
What?
KNOWLES
Is a person not allowed to change their mind?
(sucks in breath)
I’ll bet you five gold he replaces all the rusty armor we’ve got in the first month.
VIRA
(incredulous)
Oh, that doesn’t seem likely.
TRAVER
We’ve had that armor for years! There’s no way.
KNOWLES
So, you’re taking me up on it?
VIRA
Yeah, I’ll take that bet!
TRAVER
Let’s be honest, it’s kind of a longshot.
KNOWLES
Maybe so… but I like those odds.
Background noises fade and stop.
Theme song starts.
OUTRO (4:53):
HANNAH
This bonus episode “What Are the Odds?” was written and directed by Hannah Wright with assistant director William Wright. The show is produced and edited by Katherine Ayers.
The voice of Sterling is Marquis Dijon Archuleta. The voice of Traver is Kalen Grinell. The voice of Vira is Ria Couoh, and the voice of Knowles is JV Hampton-VanSant.
Our theme song is by Eli McIlveen and our artwork is by Gabrielle Buxman.
Transcripts for this and every episode can be found on our website, thegoblinshead.com.
Find and follow us on Twitter, @inn_between_. Or support us on patreon, patreon.com/thegoblinshead.
Thanks for listening!
Theme song continues, music spikes then fades out.
Music ends.
Episode ends.