#art


"Mother Cuckoo and the deputy" is probably the most well-known and beloved opera to come out of the Holy Infernal Empire, at least in recent years.

This opera premiered just a few years ago (953 Anno Accordi) during the Winter Sabbath of Paimon, the capital of the Malabolge Principality. It is considered the masterpiece of composer Malthos of Ronwe (usually referred to just as Malthos or Master Malthos) and the first installment of the unfinished "Misfits Trilogy".

The opera had a big impact on composers and audiences alike, and time will tell if, as it seems, this work is a watershed moment in the history of theatre and music.

THE PLOT

"Mother Cuckoo and the Deputy" is the story of the titular Mother Cuckoo, a thief, leader of a vast criminal syndicate, and her doomed romance with Deputy Karakas, the guards' vice-captain, sworn to arrest her. Our heroine has spent a life of crime and mischief, during which she used so much illusion and transmutation magic that now she has no face or memory of her name. The Deputy sees the beauty in her, first metaphorically and then literally as he rip-off one of his eyes to get an enchanted one, able to see through her disguises.

After many attempts, the Deputy catches Cuckoo: Holding her, he feels she is a good person and lets her go, making her swear to never commit a crime again. Mother Cuckoo soon breaks the promise, but for a good reason: if she steals the eight emeralds of Berdea she could regain her face and memories and, maybe, be with Karakas. After all those chases and escape, the thief grew fond of the guard.

The emeralds heist works. Cuckoo takes the jewels but is caught by the Deputy who was standing guard. He stabs her, torn and conflicted: he loves her but he is resigned that she, having broken the promise, could not be redeemed. Cuckoo confesses the truth about the theft and her love for Karakas. Now, thanks to the emeralds, she can show her real self and remember her past. She asks Karakas in tears to not forget her name as she did. It's too late: she dies before telling him.

The day after the deputy is promoted chief of the city guards. He can't rejoice as he lost his love. He walks into the hide of Mother Cuckoo's henchmen, letting himself be murdered by them.
https://www.reddit.com/r/worldbuilding/comments/n339l0/codex_inversus_mother_cuckoo_and_the_deputy_the/