Upon returning to Coastall, Miriana was true to her word. She immediately started arranging various sorts of entertainment for Roden to experience. Her first attempt at cheering him up came with a trip to a magic theater. As the name suggested, Roden was not surprised to be treated to a play accentuated with magical effects. However, he found the play itself a bit surprising.

"What did you say was the name of this play?" Roden said in a whisper toward Miriana.

"I never said the name, but this is the Lionkin King."

Roden couldn't help, but chuckle, "no fuckin way."

Miriana just nodded, "yes way now shush people get really excited about the opening number."

A chorus rose and lights illuminated the stage in the deep golds and oranges of a bright sunrise. Soon the stage was populated with a varied collection of different Beastkin. Roden recognized many from art created for the many fantasy games back home.

The stage was first set to appear as a lavish garden of sorts and each pair of actors came onto the stage dressed in their finery. They were greeted, to Errrkkkk's delight, by a colorful tropical looking Birdfolk dressed as a butler who ushered them from the left of the stage to the right. On the right of the stage stood a massive castle edifice, where each disappeared.

When all of the guests had left the stage and only the butler remained he was joined by an old wizened simian-man who spoke the first audible line.

"It is time."

From that moment on, Roden was engrossed in the performance. The story followed a Lionkin king who ruled over the vast and prosperous Sun kingdom. The king's rule was widely respected and many even loved their king, especially those closest to him in the capital of Priock.

Shortly, into the narrative the focus shifted to the arrogant son of the king named Kimba, who aspired to be king, just like his father despite lacking any of the qualities necessary to be a great king. Roden watched the play anticipating the story as he knew it, but still found himself surprised and intrigued by the various inconsistencies.

The first significant change that piqued Roden's interest was the changes made to the king's brother. In the play he was shown to be a devious and secret wizard who consorted with dark forces from the Void lands beyond the Sun kingdom.

His big musical number about being prepared was punctuated by his raising of many skeletons of the dead denizens of the Void lands who lived and died in squalor outside of the prosperity of the Sun kingdom. His message is one of rising up against the tyrant who was responsible for their plight and building a better world for everyone.

Unfortunately, it is revealved the king is blind to his brother's machinations and is eventually tricked into a battle against his brother that results in the king being cursed by the treacherous wizard and transformed into a tree at the edge of the Sun kingdom. The only witness being Kimba, who runs away knowing he has no chance against his uncle.

The last scene before intermission is that of Kimba running through a desert being pursued by skeletons commanded to kill him.

During the break in the play, they all took the opportunity to step outside for some fresh air. Once outside Miriana produced three lengthy cigars and handed one to each of the men.

"While I may not partake in them myself, I assumed you boys would enjoy a nice smoke."

They all thanked her and immediately set to enjoying their gifts. After a few moments Miriana turned to Roden and asked, "So what do you think of the play so far?"

Roden took a long drag of his cigar and allowed the smoke to linger in his mouth. The notes of nuttiness, chocolate, and tobacco danced across his pallet.

"I'm loving it, I've never seen–it performed like this." Roden said catching himself, remembering he had already admitted to knowing about the Lion King to Riakon long before.

"It is a phenomenal production, I only ever saw the humble street version." Riakon said, between puffs.

Errrkkkk nodded while struggling to smoke his cigar without lips.

Miriana looked pleased. "Good I am glad you are enjoying it."

"Not to look a gifted sword on the edge, but this is quite a lavish evening. Is there some occasion we are supposed to be celebrating?"

Miriana glanced at Roden, "Yes and no. It is great to be back home and that is always a good time to celebrate." she tilted her head in Roden's direction, "I thought you all could use a quiet night out where you could just escape from adventuring for a bit."

Errrkkkk and Riakon looked at each other and shrugged.

"I can't say it's not welcomed." Riakon said seemingly speaking for both of them.

She turned her gaze and smile to Roden who smiled back, "Absolutely, I dare say it's been a much needed distraction."

"That is exactly what a mother wants to hear!" something inside the doors of their patio drew her attention, "oh I think intermission is almost over. Best get back to our seats."

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Once back in their seats, it wasn't long before the lights dimmed once more and the stage was transformed into a desolate wasteland of dry cracked dirt. The only figure on stage was that of an exhausted Kimba dragging himself along.

The skeletons had finally caught up to him; he was too weak to fight. They attacked him viciously causing a slash across one of his eyes rendering it useless. The undead were prepared to finish him when a different figure galloped in and bashed the skeletons to pieces.

The scene introduced two lycanthropic human characters, one cursed to a life of gluttony as a wereboar and the other punished to live in the shadows as a wererat, both were cursed by a spurned witch to live out their days within the bounds of a hidden oasis. Their curse forced them into their animal forms whenever they left their oasis thus becoming a prison of sorts.

The two lycanthropes were comical characters who abandoned the outside world and defended their oasis from outsiders. They invited Kimba to join them in their exile as they saw him as a kindred spirit. It was there Kimba lived and grew to adulthood as they sang songs that expounded on the joys of frivolity, instant gratification, and a general abandonment of all responsibility.

The magnificence of the oasis was accentuated by a myriad of illusory effects to create a lush sanctuary filled with plants and animals of every color. The magical scenery created a display that could only be described as a utopia of splendor. A stark contrast to the harsh desert surrounding it.

After the time skip, it was clear Kimba has embraced the carefree lifestyle. He rapidly adopted the lifestyle of his two friends including their curious diet of fruits, flowers. and honey. The story picked up with the three on a casual walk while they gathered their lunch.

Riakon elbowed Roden, "here comes our song." he said in a whisper.

Sure enough a few moments later, Kimba left the stage and the two lycans sang the catchy ditty about lions sleeping.

Their song was interrupted when their oasis was invaded by another Lionkin who attacked, first Kimba's friend and then Kimba himself when he rushed in to save them. The fight nearly results in Kimba's death until Kimba recognizes his attacker as his childhood friend.

The two Lionkin have a small argument about Kimba running away and his uncle's actions as King that have resulted in the Sun kingdom being in a state of ruin. The argument results in both going off to separate parts of the oasis.

The argument had plenty of subtext. When the two reconvened and sang a fourth wall breaking duet asking the audience if they can feel the love tonight as the two danced and flirted. Just as the song neared its ending and the romantic tension reached its climax their argument was reignited.

Kimba's uncertainty about being able to defeat his uncle and shame at not living up to his father's expectations causes him to run away, but in his haste he unknowingly runs back to his father's tree at the edge of the Sun kingdom.

There he speaks to the spirit of his dead father, who instructs him to make a staff out of one of his branches. With the weapon made from his father's tree, he returns to Priock and challenges his uncle after accusing him of murdering his brother, the old king.

A line of loyalty was rapidly drawn between the two factions. First, those who supported the old king transferred their allegiance to Kimba, while the undead and inhabitants of the Void lands sided with his uncle.

To Roden's surprise the ensuing fight was vicious. The show took full advantage of the magic at their disposal to produce visceral special effects. Gone were the cheeky songs instead they were replaced by an ensemble orchestral score full of brass and deep bass.

The coup taking place on the stage was a mostly martial affair with the Lionkin smashing undead with their superior strength and coordination. Kimba chased his uncle all the way to the roof of the Priock Palace.

Their fight was the classic tale of sword versus sorcery. Kimba rapidly gained the upper hand, his uncle no match for his powerful strikes. Just when it seemed he would cast his uncle off the edge, he spared him in a show of mercy. Kimba banished him to the lands beyond the Void lands.

As his uncle began to slink off, he betrayed Kimba's mercy and attacked him with a spell of dark magic. Kimba was sent sprawling. His uncle berated him for being a fool just like his father. As his monologue rose to its peak, Kimba rose to his feet.

Curiously, a golden light began to radiate from behind him. The sun rose its corona giving him a divine aura. The fight was renewed that time Kimba did not fall for his uncle's tricks and no mercy was shown. Kimba cast his uncle off the palace roof with a powerful kick.

The play closed with a call back mirroring the beginning. Guests were arriving at the Priock palace. The Sun kingdom is shown to be prosperous once more. Kimba had made his childhood friend his queen and they presented their guests with their new born son.

The entire audience erupted into a deafening standing ovation that carried on long enough for each member of the production to take a bow. Roden found the inclusion of the special effects mages a novel part of his first theatrical performance on Mir.

By the time they returned home, it was far past their usual bedtime. Errrkkkk and Riakon quickly took off to bed. Roden intended to follow, but was stopped by a hand on his arm from Miriana.

"Care for a game before we turn in?"

Roden smiled, "sure."

They sat at the board and Miriana played her first move, pawn to D four.

Roden played pawn to F 5.

"I assume you wanted to talk about something?" Roden said, adjusting his pieces to be more centered on their squares.

Miriana paired her D pawn with her C pawn on the fourth rank.

"I was going to ask if you liked the show?"

Roden chuckled, "I have to say it was amazing. I love a good piece of theater then you mix in all the magic." he brought his fingers to his lips concluding his statement with a chef's kiss.

Miriana giggled at his gesture, "That's great! I hoped it would help get your mind off things for a bit."

Roden shrugged, "you know it's weird. I've been here for over half a year, the longest I've ever been away from my home or my wife. In the pit of my stomach I have a nagging sense of homesickness. I don't know how people do it."

"I suppose those people had a choice in what they were leaving behind."

"Ain't that the truth." Roden said, letting out a huff.

"Although, those people are probably doing it for less noble reasons."

Roden gave her a small laugh, "Touché, saving the world does feel like a pretty uncommon reason to metaphysically leave home for an extended period of time."

They played their next couple of moves in silence.

When Roden realized he couldn't remember the next move in the opening, he tried to stall.

"Hey, what is this opening called here?"

Miriana raised an eyebrow, "Oh that one is the Nether Defense. Although, I think it's had a few different names over the years."

"Hmmmmmm." was Roden's only response.

"What?"

"Oh it's just always interesting to me to see how things are different. Like with chess, hell even the play."

"Oh yeah?"

Roden furrowed his brow, "Oh yeah the play was quite different."

"That I assumed, considering it's adapted to mirror King Roderick's story."

"It is?"

Miriana nodded, "It's Roderick overthrowing Orvell the Dark Lich Wizard."

"Well ain't that something, I suppose it didn't take that much adapting."

"Did he really throw him off a roof?"

Miriana shook her head, "No and there is actually a lot of lore and rumor surrounding their final battle."

"Is that right?"

"Heavens yes! The one alluded to in the play is that Era helped Roderick in Orvell's defeat."

Roden eyed her suspiciously, "and what do you think happened?"

Miriana rolled her eyes, "there is no think son, I was there and yes that red cunt interfered."

Roden laughed at her insult, something about one god insulting another never got old.

"So the scheme with Rolen actually happened aye?"

Miriana clicked her tongue, "yep, she pretty much guaranteed Orvell would be dethroned."

"I noticed you didn't say killed."

"Of course he wasn't killed, just permanently exiled to the Shade."

Roden got a thoughtful look on his face as he remembered something from long ago. He ventured a guess at something from his old writings.

"What about Vol'ler?" Roden said, almost nonchalantly.

Miriana's face went stone cold. "What about him?" the slight twitch in her expression told him he was on shaky ground.

"Is he going to be a part of all this?"

Miriana's only response was to put a finger up to her lips in a show of silence hinting at a part of the story even Roden didn't know.

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