RQ Network Feed Drop – The Penumbra Podcast “Second Citadel” Knight of the Crown Lord of the Swamp (Part 1)

Billy Hindle / Alex

Hi there, Billy Hindle here, the voice of Alice Dyer in the Magnus Protocol. As part of the Magnus Archive's 10th anniversary, Rusty Quill is hosting a special Magnus Live show at the upcoming Crossed Wires Podcast Festival in Sheffield. Join co creators Jonathan Sims and Alexander J. Newell on 5 July for a new iteration of our live show. Statement Begins, where you can hear fan favorite statements such as Anglerfish Red live and gain exclusive insights into the creation and history of the show straight from the creators themselves. You can buy your tickets now, including limited numbers of meet and greet tickets from Crossedwires Live or the link in the description of this episode.

Kareem

Hi everyone, it's Kareem, the voice of Simon Fairchild of the Magnus Archives. Today we're sharing an episode from one of the podcasts on the RQ Network, the Penumbra Podcast. This episode is called Night of the Crown Lord of the Swamp Part 1 and is from the second season of Second Citadel, a fantasy epic where friendships and romance are forged across enemy lines. The Festival of the Three is the most important day of the year in the Second Citadel, or the most important three days as the case may be. Battles and music and drink run free in Citadel Square, and nearly every knight is in attendance, which leaves very few to guard from the monster's constant threat. Luckily, Sir Damian is on guard tonight, standing outside the Queen's chamber with his trusty bow in hand. But Sir Damian is injured, and when a monstrous threat crawls in, he may find that it's a very different sort of challenge from what he's used to. Find other brilliant episodes in this series by searching for the Penumbra Podcast. Wherever you listen to podcasts, click the link in the show notes or find more information@rustedquill.com or thepenumbra podcast.com have fun and enjoy the episode.

Narrator / Host

Ah, good evening, Traveler, and welcome to the Penumbra. Take your seat, please take your seat. The junction lies just ahead. Traveler, if you'll allow me just a moment. Well, next stop, the Second Citadel. Ser Damien is the most accomplished, accomplished knight in the Second Citadel. Or tied for it at any rate, in the name of keeping his monster slaying record to the same height as his friend and rival, Ser Angelo. Ser Damian has fought monsters while sick, comatose, and, as is the case tonight, with a broken leg. But it won't be the broken leg that gets in Ser Damian's way this evening. There's something very special about the monster slithering into the Citadel tonight, and it's going to take more than strength to defeat Him. Our next stop, Knight of the crown, Lord of the swamp.

Ser Damian

It was late at night, the first hour by the clock, my love. And the beast had me by the throat, its claws digging into my.

Rilla / Amarylla

You saw the scar, Damian. You showed me this morning.

Ser Damian

Oh, but surely I didn't tell you this part, Rilla.

Rilla / Amarylla

Is this the one about the monster's claws? Which were full of poison so thick you could see it in your veins?

Ser Damian

Well, yes. All right then. Did I tell you that my leg was broken?

Rilla / Amarylla

You were in the infirmary and the foul beast had its tail wrapped around your shattered femur.

Ser Damian

Well, did I? You must not know.

Kareem

What?

Ser Damian

What is it? Is there something on my face? Have I done something foolish?

Rilla / Amarylla

You told me all about the bedtime basilisk this morning, Damian.

Billy Hindle / Alex

Remember?

Rilla / Amarylla

I made you the antidote to its poison.

Ser Damian

Oh, yes, I suppose I did. Well, I'm just ecstatic.

Lord Aram

What luck.

Ser Damian

A monster trying to kill me in my sleep. And when Angelo nearly broke our tie with that soggy parrot in the cage.

Rilla / Amarylla

And that'd just be the end of the world, huh?

Ser Damian

It would.

Rilla / Amarylla

Look, Damian, I know you're worried about your contest with Sir Angelo.

Ser Damian

I have no reason to be worried. I never think about it. Never.

Rilla / Amarylla

But going back to duty two days after breaking your leg seems just a little hasty to me.

Ser Damian

Oh, it's only guard duty. The Queen's private chambers practically guard themselves.

Rilla / Amarylla

Shouldn't you be in bed?

Ser Damian

Oh, is that your concern? My duty has nothing to do with the wager Sir Angelo and I have. Rilla. No, no. You sound just like the Queen.

Rilla / Amarylla

God, I hope not.

Ser Damian

I was speaking to her just this afternoon, Sir Damian. She said. What are you doing out of the infirmary? You've broken your leg into eight pieces. But, ah, my Queen, I said there you are wrong. I've only broken it into five pieces, three of which have nearly half way healed. And what sort of a knight would I be if I let a little fall prevent me from my duty?

Rilla / Amarylla

This is not reassuring.

Ser Damian

She commanded me back to the infirmary. And so I declared my Queen. I must speak my heart. Demons of sloth and idleness beset me in that bed. I will be victim to the torments of a thousand monsters of the soul. Corruptress which will surely place my heart within a pot and boil it until it beats no more. I must do my duty. I cannot lie still while those demons draw breath.

Rilla / Amarylla

You were worried you'd be bored?

Ser Damian

Of course not. O my Rilla, My Amarylla's my forever flower. I must speak my heart. Okay, I've acted A terrible fiend. Just now I have lied to you. Yes, I was worried I'd be bored. Yes, I was concerned about my competition with Sir Angelo.

Rilla / Amarylla

I know. It's all right.

Ser Damian

I just think sometimes that I met him because our monster slaying records were tied. And they have been for as long as we've been friends and rivals. And if either one of us were ever to break that record, then would we.

Rilla / Amarylla

Would we still be friends with Sir Angelo? The Sir Angelo who heard you were in the infirmary and brought you a get well tree?

Ser Damian

It was more of a bush, really. Hardly two men tall.

Rilla / Amarylla

Damian, Stop. Breathe. Think. Come on, hold my hand. We're going to look out over the Queen's balcony.

Ser Damian

But I'm only supposed to guard, not enter them.

Rilla / Amarylla

Rilla, nobody will notice. The Queen's going to be out waving at crowds and kissing babies for hours. And you don't want to miss the whole festival, do you?

Ser Damian

No, but.

Rilla / Amarylla

Oh.

Ser Damian

Alright. Saints above. It's beautiful.

Rilla / Amarylla

It is, isn't it? They really outdo themselves every year. I don't like to admit it, but I always look forward to the Festival of the Three. The flags, the fights, even those goofy looking tents.

Ser Damian

It's St. Aaron's night tonight. You should go see some of the fights in the square.

Rilla / Amarylla

I don't think so. I think I'd rather be here with you.

Ser Damian

Rilla. I must speak my heart.

Rilla / Amarylla

Shh. I think you just did.

Ser Damian

When. When will we be married?

Rilla / Amarylla

You know that, Damian. Soon.

Ser Damian

But why not marry during the festival?

Rilla / Amarylla

You want to get married tonight?

Ser Damian

It wouldn't have to be tonight. The festival lasts three nights. We have two full days to prepare.

Rilla / Amarylla

Damien.

Ser Damian

It would be perfect. The Festival of the Three is a ceremony of building. We could build our life together. Just as the Saints built our second citadel.

Rilla / Amarylla

Alright. Sell me on it then.

Ser Damian

It happened hundreds of years ago. Our first citadel lay in ruins. Every knight in the kingdom was slain. Our king devoured.

Rilla / Amarylla

I know the story.

Ser Damian

Shh, shh, shh, shh, shh. You don't know this version?

Rilla / Amarylla

Alright, go ahead, sir poet.

Ser Damian

The human race was on its final breath. And the monsters began their assault. The beasts sent three parties to destroy humanity over three days. One by land, one by sea and one by air. And they would have succeeded if it hadn't been for three brothers, lowly workmen in a village by the sea.

Rilla / Amarylla

Our saints. Right.

Ser Damian

On the first day, the monstrous hordes came by land, riding over the mountains to the north. Until they were met by the oldest brother, a Mason, St. Aaron the Resolute. Who struck the earth with his hammer again and again and again, until the ground opened up and swallowed every foul beast to the shadows below. On the second day, they came again, this time by sea. And who met them in the sea, my love?

Rilla / Amarylla

Someone with a dumb name and even dumber followers.

Ser Damian

My divine lord and namesake, St. Damian the Tranquil, met them there. And he stared into those gaping maws beneath the waves. And he did not move an inch until precisely the right moment. Then he threw his fisherman's spear into the waves at just such an angle and just such a. Such a force that a mighty whirlpool spun and shredded the demons to jump.

Rilla / Amarylla

And on the third day, they came by air. And no one was there to stop them.

Ser Damian

No one at all. Until the child, Saint Ferdinand the Brave. And while the people ran screaming from the shadows above, St. Ferdinand held his ground, and that bravest of boys held his slingshot high. And just as the first blast of fire came from the first of those terrible creatures in the sky, Saint Ferdinand leapt forth. And through his courage, his pebble became a thunderbolt which struck every dragon from the heavens. And the world was clean once more.

Rilla / Amarylla

Exciting story, Damian. But it was the same exciting story that gets told at this festival every single year. I thought you said this would be different.

Ser Damian

Well, I haven't gotten to the ending, have I? Because after that day, when humanity survived our citadel's fall, we began to rebuild. Centuries passed. A new and greater citadel was formed. And in it were born two people. One a knight, one a genius herbalist, one a man and one a woman.

Rilla / Amarylla

Come on, Damien.

Ser Damian

And they fell in love. And they resolved to live a life together. A life of love and opportunity that the saints would have wanted for those to come. Two in union, simple, strong as we were meant to be. Amaryllis, will you marry me?

Rilla / Amarylla

I said yes months ago.

Ser Damian

I would like to hear it again.

Rilla / Amarylla

Yes, Damian. I'll marry you.

Ser Damian

What was that? A monster. A demon.

Rilla / Amarylla

It's midnight of the festival's first day. Damian. Those are just St. Aaron's drums.

Lord Aram

Right?

Ser Damian

Of course. Of course. I should return to my watch.

Rilla / Amarylla

I should probably go check on my experiments back home. Have a good night, Damien. Don't strain yourself.

Ser Damian

I won't.

Rilla / Amarylla

You will. But I thought I should say it anyway. Come over to my place tomorrow and tell me how it went. All right?

Ser Damian

I will. Good night, Rilla. Saint Damian above, give me your tranquility. She has been gone but seconds and already my heart begins to ache. She said she'd marry me. Saint marry Me? It's enough to make a knightly heart burst with joy. With Rilla, my Amarylla's little flower. My, my.

Lord Aram

But she.

Ser Damian

She never said when. Did she? Did I ask her? When? I don't recall. Did I ask her? And she didn't answer? What does that mean, St. Damian? Does it mean she doesn't want to marry me? That she doesn't love me? Perhaps she doesn't today. Perhaps she never has. Oh, what if. No, no, that's absurd. St. Damian above, give me your tranquillity. Your tranquillity. But then why wouldn't she answer? Have I pressured her too much? No, no. But what if I have? What if I always have? I'll have to ask her. I could go right now. It would just be a moment. But what if some foul beast should come when I am tending to my weakness of the heart? What if.

Lord Aram

What in the world?

Ser Damian

Saints above. Something in the Queen's chambers. O Tranquility, fill this arrow with your calm. Your strength. Has it disappeared?

Lord Aram

If you think that was a disappearance, human, I'm afraid that says more about your eyes than my speed.

Ser Damian

Step back, beast. A knight of the Queen will not tolerate a monster in Her Majesty's chambers.

Lord Aram

I'll give you one chance, little knight. Three seconds to step back out that door and pretend you never saw me here.

Ser Damian

A tempting offer.

Lord Aram

One.

Ser Damian

Though I must say, I do find this spectacle fascinating.

Lord Aram

Two.

Ser Damian

I've never seen a lizard count before. Even one who walks on two legs.

Lord Aram

Three. Very tricky, little human. Your arrow almost struck me.

Ser Damian

If you think that was a trick, friend lizard, I'm afraid that says more about your eyes than my speed.

Lord Aram

You may prove to be the quickest witted human I ever killed.

Ser Damian

And you may prove to be the most cultured corpse I ever claim.

Lord Aram

I didn't think knights were such cowards. With that bow keeping you at a distance, you can move long before I ever reach you.

Ser Damian

And with those four knives in your four hands, you could cut me to shreds in seconds. But if you can never approach and I can never hit you, Stalemate.

Lord Aram

I don't have time for this.

Ser Damian

Then I suppose we'll have to come to some sort of agreement, won't we?

Lord Aram

All right, my terms. First you stand still, then you die.

Ser Damian

Declined my counter proposal. You drop three of your knives immediately. Why not four minus three is one. And one weapon against one seems perfectly so.

Lord Aram

You humans have finally gotten around to mathematics, have you? Only 1,000 years after us.

Ser Damian

Do you accept my terms?

Lord Aram

I will not entertain your insults. A knife Against a bow? Never.

Ser Damian

Well, I've no knife to use. Whoa.

Lord Aram

There's one.

Ser Damian

So there is.

Lord Aram

Well, drop your bow now.

Ser Damian

I will, if you throw your knives onto the balcony.

Lord Aram

What?

Ser Damian

I intend to have a fair fight, monster. Throw your knives and I will throw my bow.

Rilla / Amarylla

There.

Lord Aram

Are there any other rules? Can we fight now? Or do I have to draw a card first?

Ser Damian

No cards. Except the ones fate deals us, demon.

Lord Aram

And the quaint little prayer cards they'll print for your funeral.

Ser Damian

Approach me, beast, and we'll see who dies. By the saints above, I am tranquility itself.

Lord Aram

And proud of it, Aren't you? You hold my knife like a butcher, little knight. Treated with some respect.

Ser Damian

I may not have your skill with a blade, friend lizard, but I'm twice your stamina winded already?

Lord Aram

Stamina? You start dueling right after you scaled a 40 foot wall? The rocks you humans threw together to build this tower are as slippery as they are structurally irresponsible. Ha.

Ser Damian

Structurally irresponsible. Is architecture one of the lizards hobbies. Then you read floor plans while you sit on your eggs and bask in the sun.

Lord Aram

You may waste your time with hobbies, little knight. I have only craft.

Ser Damian

A master architect cum burglar. Sneaking into people's windows and then criticizing the molding. These monsters think of everything, don't they? Everything except boxing lessons. Evidently. You're likely to give yourself a concussion if you keep careening into corners. This. Perhaps the concussion has come earlier than expected.

Lord Aram

And you, little knight, Are you a master of anything besides prattling on and on?

Ser Damian

No.

Lord Aram

Well, at least you're honest.

Ser Damian

I'm a poet by trade, friend lizard. My words can strike at a heart with all the speed and power of my arrows. When I'm not beating, evil counts. I'm counting holy beats. I am just as likely to disarm with a compliment as my blade. That cape looks quite handsome on you, by the way. It matches your eyes. Violet as amethyst.

Lord Aram

A poet. Delicate as honeysuckle, aren't you? And your blood will be just as delicious, I think.

Ser Damian

What is it? What's that noise?

Lord Aram

I warned you, didn't I? Completely unstable these stones. All it took was a few blows in just the right places.

Ser Damian

When you hit the walls. You didn't miss, did you?

Lord Aram

I never missed, little knight. And I've never lost either. With the correct stones out of place, the collapse will begin soon enough. First, you'll hear cracks grow in the walls. Ah, there they are. Then perhaps things will start to crumble from the ceiling or the furniture. Might start to fall.

Ser Damian

You're bluffing. Your tail struck that.

Rilla / Amarylla

Perhaps.

Lord Aram

But are you certain? Is it really worth the risk?

Ser Damian

Beast, Fix this. You've started this collapse. You must be able to fix it.

Lord Aram

And why should I do that? Better yet, what makes you so certain there's a way to stop this at all?

Ser Damian

I'll kill you where you stand, demon. There must be a way to fix this.

Lord Aram

Of course there is. A single brick could stop it all, if stabilized. But that brick lies behind you.

Ser Damian

Behind me?

Lord Aram

Where?

Ser Damian

I don't see. Where are you? Show yourself, beast.

Lord Aram

He must be crawling.

Ser Damian

The shadows along the wall and ceiling could be anywhere.

Lord Aram

No.

Ser Damian

No.

Lord Aram

Collect yourself. Breathe.

Ser Damian

Oh, Saint Damian, you of patience, of calm, of the quiet waves and gentle breeze. Grant me your tranquility, the strength to wait when I must, to let the world flow through me.

Lord Aram

Die, little honeysuckle.

Ser Damian

And to strike when the time is right.

Lord Aram

So you've pierced my arm. It's nothing. As soon as I get my knife again.

Ser Damian

You mean this knife? You don't seem in a terrible rush, friend lizard. The tower isn't collapsing, is it?

Lord Aram

Of course. Of course it isn't collapsing, you idiot. You can't topple a tower by kicking the bedroom walls with the foul things you creatures do. In these rooms, you'd all be living in rubble.

Ser Damian

But you didn't know enough to make the walls crack, to make the foundation rumble. A very special sort of monster, aren't you?

Lord Aram

Don't patronize me. If you're going to kill me, then do it.

Rilla / Amarylla

I.

Ser Damian

Of. Of course.

Lord Aram

Well, you do know how a knife works, don't you? You just hold the sharp end to my throat and push.

Ser Damian

No, no, I don't think I will.

Lord Aram

Oh, no, no, no. If you expect me to sit through another sappy little poem, first hand me that knife and I'll kill myself.

Ser Damian

No poems. Here. Bandage that arm tightly and the bleeding should stop.

Lord Aram

Is this silk?

Ser Damian

One of the Queen's headscarves? Her collection is priceless, they say.

Lord Aram

Your Queen. How interesting.

Ser Damian

Yes, she is certain to be furious with me. But it is to be my punishment and my penance. I challenged you to an unfair duel, the Queen. I insisted we fight to my advantage. Half of my hands were armed and only a fourth of yours were an advantage two times over.

Lord Aram

I'm not sure your numbers line up, honeysuckle.

Ser Damian

I am a poet, friend Lizard, not a mathematician. Besides, it is clear from the cunning in your lips and the deep intelligence in your brow that hand to hand to hand to hand combat is not your Greatest strength. You are a builder? No. An inventor. An architect. A very good one, I suspect.

Lord Aram

The greatest.

Ser Damian

And if I finish you here, I'll never know how great will I.

Lord Aram

What are you doing?

Ser Damian

Giving you your knife. You will need it tomorrow.

Lord Aram

Tomorrow? What sort of trick?

Ser Damian

No tricks, friend lizard. I will not kill you until I've beaten you at your best. Today we fought in my domain, by my rules. Tomorrow night, you will choose the location and the time of our duel.

Lord Aram

A very interesting offer, little knight. Very interesting. You know you will not survive that fight.

Ser Damian

It is possible. You are a very capable beast.

Lord Aram

Fine. Then you know Rakshakala. The oldest willow in the forest.

Ser Damian

Not offhand. I'm afraid I've left my census of trees in my other armor.

Lord Aram

Stupid. Fine. It's the grove just outside the western gate of this citadel. Just beside the. What do you creatures call it? The bells.

Ser Damian

The St. Damian's bells. Beneath the Gate of Tranquility. I know it well.

Lord Aram

You humans take paragraphs where syllables would suffice.

Ser Damian

The grove outside the bells, then. I imagine you will stalk it with every trap of which your foul mind can conceive.

Lord Aram

You say foul, little knight, but you don't mean it. The word is not in your heart. Why?

Ser Damian

A healthy rivalry keeps a knight at his best.

Lord Aram

No, no. No more poetry. No more dancing around an answer. You do not spare every monster. We both know it. So why me?

Ser Damian

I am not certain I have the words for it.

Lord Aram

Aren't you supposed to be a poet? A professional prattler? If you want me at my best tomorrow, you'll have to find the words. Isn't that what you creatures call honor?

Ser Damian

There's. There's something human in your eyes.

Lord Aram

Of all of the overblown. You'd never consider that there might be something monstrous in your eyes, would you?

Ser Damian

You asked, I answered.

Lord Aram

I will delight in exploiting your every weakness. Honeysuckle.

Ser Damian

I look forward to it. Tomorrow then.

Lord Aram

Tomorrow.

Ser Damian

Wait. One last question, friend lizard.

Lord Aram

What is it?

Ser Damian

What? What is your name? I would like to know what to call the beast. I'll duel tomorrow.

Lord Aram

If I had it my way, little knight, everyone would stay quiet and I wouldn't have to be called anything at all. I am Lord Aram, who rules the Swamp of Titan's Blooms.

Ser Damian

And I am Ser Damian, Knight of the Crown.

Lord Aram

I'll be sure to write that on your tombstone. Until tomorrow, Sir Damian.

Ser Damian

Until tomorrow, lord aram.

Lord Aram

Kind of girl.

Narrator / Host

If you've enjoyed this tale, please consider donating to the penumbra on Patreon. Our artists work tirelessly to bring you these stories and if you have the means, we hope you will support our efforts. Every dollar helps. You can find that page at patreon.com ThePenumeraPodcast if you support us on Patreon at the $10 level or higher, you will receive access to commentary tracks like this one from actors Noah Symes and Matthew Zanzinger.

Lord Aram

And he is literally a lizard.

Ser Damian

Yes, he is. Key fact, yes. In the character's relationship.

Lord Aram

Yes. If you missed that, go back and listen because he's super a lizard

Kareem

but

Lord Aram

you know, so trying to find something that feels unhuman and sort of base in that way that we think of, you know, reptilian means base in certain contexts.

Kareem

Right.

Narrator / Host

You can also support the Penumbra by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter hepnumbrapod, following us on Tumblr Hepenumbra Podcast Telling your friends about us. Telling your friends to tell their friends about us and especially by rating and reviewing our podcast on itunes. Every rating, comment and kind word spreads our stories further and inspires us to keep creating creating more and better tales to come. We would like to give special thanks to all who support us on Patreon, but especially to Jamie Gunter, the Princess and the Scrivener and Elizabeth Miller for their incredibly generous contributions per episode. Thank you. This tale, Knight of the Crown, Lord of the Swamp, was told by the following Matthew Zanzinger as Ser Damian, Noah Symes as Lord Aram and Melissa Enulet as Rilla. On staff at the Penumbra, Kevin Vibridge is our lead writer and recording engineer. Sophie Kaner is our director and sound designer. Graham Turner is our script editor. Noah Symes is our production Manager. Alice Chung is our designer and Financial manager. Original music by Ryan Vibert Promotional art by Michaela Buckley. The Penumbra is created and produced by Sophie Kaner and Kevin Vibrant. I'm afraid this is the end of the line for today. Dear traveler. We hope you will ride with the Penumbra again soon.

Kareem

To listen to the next exciting episode, you can click on the link in the description or search for the Penumbra podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Or you can find more information on rustyquill.com or the penumbra podcast.com. thanks for listening.

Billy Hindle / Alex

Hi Alex here, founder and CEO of Rusty Quill Ltd. In case you haven't heard, there is now a Magnus Archives novel. The Library of Jurgen Leitner is set in the world of the Magnus Archives and written by Nebula Award winning author Premier Mohammed with our very own Jonathan Sims. The story follows Hugh, a university dropout desperate to find somewhere to belong, and his new job at an esoteric library. The books he must investigate for the enigmatic Jurgen Leitner are not normal. Normal because the library is not a vault sealed and silent, but a hive, alive, buzzing and ready to sting. The Library of Jurgen Leitner releases October 27, 2026, but you can pre order it right now in the US and UK from your local bookshop or by using the link in the episode description. If you live outside of the UK or us, you may be able to make an international order for this first publication, but it depends on individual retailers, shipping policies.