- Brea: Mother always said that Vapra was the highest clan, but on two attempts, the Grottan symbol lit up first, which is ridiculous because everyone knows that the Grottan are the lowest clan. At least that's what we always say. But why do we say that? Perhaps we're wrong. "Thra's true balance will be found when natural order is sound." Except there is no correct order, because no clan is above any of the others. Ah! It isn't a puzzle. It's a lie.
- [the chamber rumbles]
- Brea: That's it. We're all one!
- The Emperor: General. You will take Chamberlain's place at my side.
- The General: I am honored, sire.
- The Emperor: No! You are *commanded*. Do what the Chamberlain has failed to do. Bring this crisis to a swift end!
- The Chamberlain: Is good thing we are not all so weak as to be scared of single Gelfling, yes?
- The General: [engraged] You question my bravery?
- The Chamberlain: Keep your robes on, spithead!
- [All the Skeksis except skekZok and skekSo erupt into raucous laughter. skekSil and skekVar get up and face each other]
- The General: Incompetent smipp!
- The Ornamentalist: How exciting!
- [skekLach laughs]
- The General: You only dare flap your beak because you sit at the Emperor's side! Let us see if your talons are half as fearsome as your tongue!
- The Chamberlain: I bring order! Peace!
- The Ornamentalist: [gleefully] There's going to be a fight!
- The Gourmand: [chortling] A meal and a show!
- [skekOk exclaims with delight and pounds on the table with immersive mirth. skekSo is too busy inspecting the pus oozing out of his finger]
- The Chamberlain: You! You are reckless, lead us into war!
- The General: I welcome war!
- [skekSo breaks off his fingertip. Purple smoke wafts from it]
- The Chamberlain: Because you are too thick-headed to use brain!
- The Emperor: The General is right. I need results, not talk!
- The Chamberlain: But, Emperor, my sire...
- The Emperor: Be silent, or I will silence you.
- The Chamberlain: But- but why? I did not start fight.
- [skekLach laughs]
- The Emperor: You talk too much. Talk, talk, talk! We rot while you chatter.
- The Chamberlain: Sire, my plan is working. I just need more time.
- The Emperor: More time, more words, more nothing!
- Gurjin: [asked if he's a good or bad Gelfling] I don't think it matters at this point, but you could have just asked around.
- Aughra: Upset balance. Seek life eternal. Bah! Everything grows old. Everything passes on. Hm. All, it seems, but Aughra. Ah, Aughra born old.
- The Emperor: [squeezing skekTek's Sidetic] So then, give me a number.
- The Scientist: Uh, a great many.
- The Emperor: A *number*.
- [He squeezes the small birdlike creature harder]
- The Scientist: [desperately] Fifty! Fifty Gelfling! Every trine!
- [skekSo tightens his grip on the Sidetic. skekTek yelps]
- The Emperor: Fifty it is, then.
- [He lets go of the Sidetic]
- The Emperor: So be it. Prepare the machine.
- The Scientist: [deferentially] As you wish, my Emperor.
- [skekSo departs. skekTek gently closes the cage door]
- The Scientist: Hush, now. Hush, now. All is well.
- The Scientist: Emperor, I beg you to reconsider. The more essence we consume, the weaker the Crystal grows, the greater the imbalance, the faster the Darkening spreads.
- The Emperor: [bellowing at such a volume that skekTek staggers backwards in surprise] There is no Darkening!
- The General: Where is the fugitive Rian?
- Gurjin: [sarcastically] Have you checked the Great Smerth? It's particularly lovely in spring!
- The General: Bad Gelfling!
- The Emperor: Scientist.
- The Scientist: [in a high-pitched surprised tone] Sire!
- [He clears his throat and repeats the address in a deeper tone]
- The Scientist: Sire...
- The Chamberlain: Look what General has done to my hand!
- [He presents his hand, which is wrapped in bandages and barely crippled]
- The Hunter: [sarcastically] Poor skekSil. Still consumed by petty squabbles.