King's Quest VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow (1992 Video Game)

Linda Gary: Oracle, Red Chess Queen, Mother Ghost, Queen Allaria

Quotes 

• Prince Alexander : [If the player clicks the mirror icon on Lord of the Dead]  If your existence has been all that you say it has, then truth alone shall be my sword.

  Narrator : [Alexander holds the magic mirror for Lord of the Dead to look at]  The mirror's surface swirls with darkness for a moment, then fills with images even blacker. Reflections of despair, of wailing souls, of shackles colder and more immutable than any forged by man, of a world of thirsts that can never be quenched. Alexander feels the mirror tremble in his grasp and is glad that he cannot see its face, but the Lord of the Dead is transfixed to the mirror, to the screening of his life.

  Narrator : Things long forgotten are once more uncovered: his enslavement to this throne while still a man, the years of watching misery and horror and growing ever more numb to it, the seep of his own humanity, the slow growth of a new thing altogether which became that which he is now. His is an existence that has no possibility of redemption, no end. The surrounding spirits draw away in pain. The truth is so sharp, it stabs, so intense, it sears.

  Man Spirit , Woman Spirit : Gasp! Aeiii! Take it away! Make it stop!

  [Then the magic mirror shatters and Lord of the Dead sheds a teardrop from his face] 

  Narrator : The mirror of truth cracks from the strain... And Death sheds a single, gray tear.

  Lord of the Dead : Truth is, indeed, a terrible thing. I have worn this mantle for so long, I had forgotten its dreadful weight. You shall take the souls and leave, as I agreed. You have been granted a stay from this inevitable reality. I almost... envy you. Find the souls he has claimed and bring them to me.

  [Then the camera pans out to the throne room and the spirits of King Caliphim and Queen Allaria floats down] 

  Lord of the Dead : King Caliphim and Queen Allaria, I presume. Your hero has won you a few more years of mortality. May your souls be more prepared for their rest when you return.

  [Then King Caliphim and Queen Allaria are brought back to life] 

  Queen Allaria : Thank you my lord. I hope that they will.

  Lord of the Dead : And you, man of flesh. My steed shall take the three of you back to the land of the living. Tell her where it is you wish to go.

  [Then Nightmare the winged horse lands in the throne room] 

  Lord of the Dead : Until we meet again, then. I assure you, we WILL meet again.

  Prince Alexander : No offense, my lord, but I hope that it will be many long years from now.

  Lord of the Dead : It is never as long as you might wish, mortal. Now begone.

  Prince Alexander : Yes my lord.

  [Then Alexander, King Caliphim and Queen Allaria all get on the winged horse Nightmare and the horse takes off and flies to the Land of the Green Isles] 

• Winged One : Hail to thee, great Oracle! Lord Azure sends you this wingless male. It appears that he solved the Cliffs of Logic, and...

  Oracle : Defeated the Minotaur in his lair. So I have seen. So this is the one that haunts my pool of late. Welcome, young seeker. What knowledge do you desire?

  Prince Alexander : Princess Cassima. Whatever you can tell me, great Oracle.

  Oracle : Ah, of course, the princess. That explains my images. Let us see what we can see.

  [the Oracle swirls a finger in her pool and an image of Cassima appears] 

  Oracle : I see a maiden, lovely and pure, but surrounded by evil. She is a rose set amidst bitter thorns. It is her fate to be the pawn of dark powers, and yours to try to redeem her.

  Prince Alexander : How? How do I redeem her?

  Oracle : Fate is not like the cut of a blade, young one, but rather like the myriad of paths formed when a hammer cracks ice. I will tell you what I can, but what will actually come to pass is up to you. I see that any attempt to reach the girl will force you into battle, a struggle against a dark force. If you lose, your life will be forfeit.

  Prince Alexander : Who must I fight?

  Oracle : A great darkness surrounds your adversary, preventing me from seeing clearly. I can only make out the shape of a black cloak. But before this final struggle, I see an infiltration - a dangerous game of hide-and-seek in corridors filled with enemies. The risks are high, but it's the only way to reach the one you seek. There is more than one way into this place. Your choice will dictate much.

  Prince Alexander : What else do you see, mighty Oracle?

  [she swirls her finger in the water again, but this time, a skull flies out] 

  Oracle : Oh! Oh, such pain. I see two restless spirits crying out for revenge. These shades could help you destroy the dark force if they were to be brought back from their spiritual form. Yet this is only one possible path to your destiny. I'm afraid this is getting beyond me. I know very little about the afterlife. I can only advise getting counsel from the Druids. Be warned, the Druids are reclusive and dangerous. They might aid you or they might destroy you. Like their island, the Druids' nature is hidden in the mists. There is nothing more I can do for you except to give you this.

  [she fills a vial with sacred water and gives it to him] 

  Oracle : It is water from the sacred pool. That and my blessing go with you.

  Prince Alexander : Thank you, great Oracle.

• Chess Knights, Additional Voices : [If Prince Alexander tries to enter Chessboard land, the two red and white knight horses will block his way]  Checkmate, only chess pieces allowed in Chessboard land.

  Chess Knights, Additional Voices : That's right. Humans aren't allowed in and never will be, Stay out!

  [Prince Alexander backs off and the red and white Chess Queens hops over to the gate and they look at each other] 

  Red Chess Queen : I must insist your highness, I shall send the lump of coal to the vizier and the princess as a present for their wedding and that's the end of it.

  White Chess Queen : And I suppose you'll leave me with only this stupid spoiled egg to send your highness, I want to impress the new king and queen of the realm as much as you do. As queen of this island, I have every right to that lump of coal

  Red Chess Queen : Who isn't queen of this isle, the lump of coal is in my possession, therefore, I shall do as I please with it, besides, there's nothing wrong with that spoiled egg.

  White Chess Queen : The egg, they're delightfully spoiled, it's not nearly so valuable as the lump of coal and you know it. Your highness always got to carry the singing stone. It's not fair that you get the coal too.

  Red Chess Queen : That doesn't count, the singing stone was stolen by that horrid beast, I shall get to keep the coal because my stone was stolen.

  White Chess Queen : It wasn't your stone! It belonged to the Isle of Wonder treasury, your highness always thinks that everything is hers!

  [both queens turns and looks at Alexander] 

  Red Chess Queen : Excuse me my good man, but could you settle an argument for us?

  White Chess Queen : Which of us should get to carry the coal and which the egg, remember, white is the color of deserving truth and virtue.

  Red Chess Queen : Quiet your highness! And let him make up his own mind. I for one shall be more proper, and not even mention the fact that red is the color of love.

  Prince Alexander : I'm sorry your majesties, I'm partial to both red and white, but I'm afraid that I don't know how to solve your problem, one of your will just have to be gracious and allow the other the lump of coal.

  White Chess Queen : What a ridiculously stupid idea!

  Red Chess Queen : Quite ludicrous!

  White Chess Queen : He was a lot of help wasn't he?

  Red Chess Queen : Oh yes, obviously a man of high intelligence's.

  [They both turn back and hops down the path but the red queens scarf drops on the ground] 

  Red Chess Queen : The lump of coal goes much better with my gown anyway. Black and red are imperial colors,

  White Chess Queen : That's the silliest thing I ever heard. Red does not go with anything being much too self conscious, white is the perfect accompaniment to any color.

• Red Chess Queen : [as Alexander walks to the front steps of Chessland, A red and white Chess Queens hops over to the steps where Alexander is waiting. Two Chess Queens face each other]  Your Highness may as well spend her royal time contemplating something else. The Lump of Coal shall be send to the Castle of the Crown under my name and that's all there is to it.

  White Chess Queen : No it shan't!

  Red Chess Queen : Yes it shall!

  White Chess Queen : If the coal is sent in your name, I shall royally decree a ban of all red on this isle.

  Red Chess Queen : You do, and I shall royally decree that white shall be henceforth used for all mopping up of cabbage stew.

  White Chess Queen : You wouldn't dare!

  Red Chess Queen : Oh wouldn't I?

  [the 2 Chess Queens face Alexander] 

  White Chess Queen : Oh it's you! Have you thought of anymore of those brilliant ideas of yours?

• Prince Alexander : [If the player clicks the coal icon on one of the Chess Queens]  I found the two of you another Lump of Coal so that you can stop fighting over the one you have.

  White Chess Queen : Oh let me see! A Lump of Coal and what a beauty it is too! Ooh marvelous! Now we can stop fighting sister, your highness can just keep the old Lump of Coal and I'll take this new one.

  Red Chess Queen : Quite right, that settles everything.

  White Chess Queen : As a token of our endless esteem and royal favor, please accept this magnificent and truly incredible spoiled egg.

  Prince Alexander : Err, err, e thanks.

  [Alexander gets the spoiled egg and the 2 Chess Queens hop down the path] 

  Red Chess Queen : Let me see that Lump of Coal your highness.

  White Chess Queen : It is a beauty isn't it?

  Red Chess Queen : Why, it's bigger than my Lump of Coal! Let me have it immediately!

  White Chess Queen : Over my dead body your highness! It's my Lump of Coal, and it is indeed larger and much grander! Just look at that sheen.

  Red Chess Queen : I demand you exchange with me immediately!

  [Alexander shrugs his shoulders] 

• Prince Alexander : Who are you, grieving spirits?

  Queen Allaria : I am Queen Allaria of the Land of the Green Isles, and this beloved spirit is my husband, King Caliphim. We were murdered in our beds by our trusted vizier. Like a viper, he snuck in during the night and stabbed us in our sleep! Now my husband's soul is broken and he will not speak.

  Prince Alexander : Then you are the ones I seek. Are you not the parents of Princess Cassima?

  Queen Allaria : Our daughter! Have you news of the princess?

  Prince Alexander : I know that she is alive and safely back in her kingdom after being rescued from Mordack. But I'm afraid I have not personally seen her. Alhazred is keeping her in her room in mourning for you.

  Queen Allaria : I am glad to hear of her return, but she will not be safe alone with that devil! Oh, that we could be there to protect her!

  King Caliphim : Cassima! How I've failed thee!

  Queen Allaria : My poor husband will never rest while our murder goes unavenged and our daughter is in danger!

  Prince Alexander : I came to take you back with me. Your people are still loyal to you. They need to know about the vizier. Cassima needs you too.

  Queen Allaria : But this is the Realm of the Dead! We cannot leave it! Nor, for that matter, can you. The only one who might be able to return us all to the land of the living is the Lord of the Dead, but he would never help us. He has no mercy.

  Prince Alexander : I might be able to convince him. I must try.

  Queen Allaria : Then, take this. It is my ticket to the Underworld. There you will find the Lord of the Dead. I cannot use the ticket as long as I'm chained here, and if we cannot be avenged, I will never be unchained.

  Prince Alexander : Thank you. Perhaps it will save us all.

  [Queen Allaria gives the ticket to Alexander] 

  Queen Allaria : Be careful young man. If you can ease my husband's torment and help our daughter, we will be most grateful.

  Prince Alexander : I will do my best. Goodbye, Queen Allaria.

• Mother Ghost : Ali! Where is my little boy? Ali!

• Prince Alexander : Why do you not rest, sad spirit?

  Mother Ghost : Rest? I cannot rest! My son is lost!

  Prince Alexander : Lost? You mean in this realm?

  Mother Ghost : No! His spirit is stuck in the land of the living- probably looking for me! But I cannot leave to go show him the way! My poor Ali!

  Prince Alexander : Is there anything I can do?

  Mother Ghost : Take this handkerchief. If you get back to the land of the living and find him, tell him that his mother is waiting for him here. By this kiss, he'll be able to find his way to the Realm of the Dead.

  Prince Alexander : I'll do my best to find him.

  Mother Ghost : Thank you, thank you! Oh, my Ali!

  [the mother ghost gives Alexander her handkerchief before she disappears] 

• Prince Alexander : [after Alexander, Allaraia, and Caliphim on the winged horse lands on the beach. Alexander dismounts off the horse]  Are you coming, Majesty?

  King Caliphim : Alhazred's treachery must be handled carefully, Alexander. Allaria and I must go gather our allies and form a plan. Watch over Cassima. Make sure she comes to no harm. We will return as soon as we can to take back all that has been stolen from us.

  Prince Alexander : I will keep her safe until your return.

  Queen Allaria : Thank you, son. Your love for our daughter must be deep indeed for you to have undertaken Death itself for our sakes.

  King Caliphim : Indeed. May we succeed in what awaits us, and live long together as a family.

  [Then the black winged horse flies off with Caliphim and Allaria] 

• Prince Alexander : Hold villain! You shall not marry the princess!

  [Alexander and Saladin walks over to Abdul and the fake Cassima] 

  Vizier Abdul Alhazred : Prince Alexander, here? This is an outrage! How dare you to allow this traitor to get past you Saladin! You stupid mutt! Can't you even keep the castle free of assassins during your own princess's wedding? Kill him! Kill him now!

  Captain Saladin : Grr. Lord Alhazred... With all due respect, you are not quite king yet. And this is a wedding ceremony, not an execution.

  Vizier Abdul Alhazred : What? How dare you contradict me, you flea-bitten mongrel? I gave a direct order. Obey me or feel my wrath!

  Captain Saladin : Mi Lady, I apologize for my behavior, but I am yours to command in all things. I wanted merely to hear your own wishes from your own lips. Tell me what it is that you wish me to do with this young man, and I will obey.

  Princess Cassima, Additional Voices : [the golden eyes reveals her to be the fake Cassima]  Why Captain, you heard my dear Abdul. If he wishes this atrocious young man's death, then I want nothing more than to see him get his wish. Obey thy liege now and always.

  Captain Saladin : As you wish princess.

  Narrator : Just as Saladin prepares to run Alexander through with his sword, a shout is heard from the direction of the grand hall...

  King Caliphim : HOLD! In the name of the true king!

  Narrator : King Caliphim and Queen Allaria burst into the throne room looking alive and well, and full of wrath! Behind them, a line of supporters look prepared to battle, if necessary, for their beloved royal couple!

  [Caliphim and Allaria both walks over to the fake Cassima] 

  Queen Allaria : Cassima! Darling, are you all right? Has he hurt you?

  King Caliphim : Hands off of her you murderous goat!

  Princess Cassima, Additional Voices : If I want your advice, I'll ask for it... MOTHER!

  Queen Allaria : But... Caliphim... that's not Cassima! I'd know my daughter anywhere!

  King Caliphim : What have you done with our daughter, you devil?

  Narrator : The lovely image of Cassima suddenly bursts into smoke and is replaced by... the vizier's genie!

  [the fake Cassima changes back to reveal Shamir Shamazel] 

  Captain Saladin : Why you... you conniving serpent!

  King Caliphim : Get him guards! Saladin, your sword!

  Vizier Abdul Alhazred : DRAT IT ALL! You may have ruined my plans, but you won't get me or your precious Cassima! Get them, Shamir! I Command you!

  [Abdul runs away in the back door] 

  King Caliphim : He's getting away! Stop him!

  Captain Saladin : Yes, Sire! As soon as I deal with this genie!

  [Shamir teleports from one spot to another] 

  Narrator : Shamir, the viziers genie, begins to throw balls of dazzling light at the guard dogs!