Of the kingdom...me? A mere playwright led astray?

[ Not to mention the king. He won't mention him yet. He slips into the silence, fine at first...but then he thinks he hears a rustle in the bushes, and he steps closer to his 'queen', squeezing his hand before letting go to brandish the racket. ]

Whatever the case...we're getting out of here alive.

[ He creeps forward, and there's an answering rustle. He swings at it, and---nothing. ]

Come closer with those wings, my queen. I can't see.