I’ve started writing sample dialogues to prepare myself for writing the comic’s dialogue. It’s good practice for finding my characters’ voices and personalities. They also help pass the time on my walk to and from work each day. I installed Evernote on my phone and I tap out stories, plot info, and dialogues with my thumbs the whole way. If you see any bizarre typos, that’s probably because of a bad autocorrect that I didn’t catch in my edits.
One of these days, all this typing while walking is going to be the death of me!
Since I need to make a blog post, I thought I’d share one of these dialogues with you.
This story takes place after Osoron has become Caliph. He quickly learns that life as a nation’s ruler is a lot different from life as a skyship captain.
“All right,” said Osoron. “I’ll take my ship. It can be ready for an extended mission before the week is out.”
“Majesty,” the Chancellor said. Osoron hated the tone in the Chancellor’s voice. Usually, that tone meant the young Caliph was on the verge of committing a faux pas.
“We have a royal flagship,” the Chancellor continued. “Why not use that? It has everything you will need for your journey and is kept ready in case the Caliph wishes to fly.”
“Can’t we just have the flagship come along for the ride?” Osoron asked. “I prefer my own ship.”
“Mm.” There was that tone again. “As you are aware, the flagship is designed to function as a mobile palace and fortress. It was created to allow you to conduct your official business while you are traveling and gives members of your court a place to stay while they accompany you on your expeditions abroad. This royal survey is not a vacation. It is official business.”
“It’s big enough to let them all continue to annoy me whlie I am on the survey, you mean.” Osoron scowled at his desk. “I have a perfectly good ship sitting in skydock now. It has the latest in Ropoldi weapons and Aremite design. Why not use it instead?”
The Chancellor gave a look. This one meant Osoron just said something too stupid for a proper Caliph to say.
“As you know, being Caliph requires you bear certain badges of office for the sake of ceremony. The people expect you to maintain certain traditions and it eases their minds to know you uphold these customs. Using the flagship is one such custom.”
“But I’ve been captain of my ship for seven years,” Osoron protested. “I know my ship. I know what she can and can’t do. Plus I was the Royal Cartograpgher. My ship was made for surveys.”
“This is not a simple mapping expedition, Majesty. This is also a diplomatic effort. The flagship is a symbol of your position and is a show of encouragement–”
“A show of power, you mean?”
“I am pleased Your Majesty understands politics at least a little,” the Chancellor said dryly. Osoron bristled.
“Yes,” the Chancellor continued. “A show of power. It also symbolizes the arrival of the royal court and. It is expected. In addition, the flagship is much better armed in case you are attacked.”
“I’ve flown the same ship for seven years and never got in a fight I couldn’t get out of,” Osoron pointed out.
“But you were not as valuable a target then. Then, you were a fifth child, and a sorcerer. None of our enemies would see you as useful a hostage as your father or the crown prince. Now you are Caliph and far more people will attack you given the chance for that reason alone.”
The Chancellor paused and took a sip of his tea. “Besides, you would not be captain of the flagship. The ship has a captain hand-picked by General Asom himself.”
“Why would I fly on a ship I’m not captain of?” Osoron demanded. “I have years of experience and I’ve been trained in combat by the Musians!”
“Because, Your Majesty,” the Chancellor said, “you are not a skyship captain any longer. You are now ruler of a nation. That role comes with certain obligations and expectations.”
Osoron slid down in his chair. “I don’t want this,” he confessed. “I was happy being on my ship and flying around the world. This new job is like a cage.”
“I am sorry, Osoron,” the Chancellor said. “But we are all making sacrifices for Aremshah.”
The Chancellor took a deep breath. “For what it is worth, you are trying, and it shows. I see it and I believe others do as well. The people know you care and that is enough for them right now.”
Osoron nodded absently and stared at his desk. It had been his father’s desk once, and his grandfather’s before that. Osoron never dreamed he would be sitting on this side of the desk.
“All right,” Osoron said. “I will take the flagship. But I want my crew hired to fly it. I have lived and worked with them for years. I trust them and I have earned their loyalty and respect.”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” the Chancellor said.
“I also want my ship docked or tethered to the flagship. I intend to take it out from time to time. Even a Caliph can have hobbies. My father enjoyed hunting and glassblowing. My hobby is skyship flying.”
The Chancellor considered, then nodded.
“Finally,” Osoron said, “I reserve the right to assume command of the flagship if I feel it is needed.”
The Chancellor sighed. “You are confident in your skill as a captain,” he said.
“I have every right to be. I have been one most of my life.”
The Chancellor pursed his lips, then nodded. “I suppose it is the Caliph’s prerogative to take command of the flagship if he feels it necessary. However, I encourage you to give the current captain a chance. He, too, is experienced and knows his ship.”
Osoron nodded. “That sounds fair,” he said. “Do we have an agreement?”
“We do, Your Majesty.”