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Satisfied, Prospero says, “Do that, and I’ll give you your freedom in two days.”

Excited by this news, Ariel gets up and hurriedly exclaims, “Tell me what I should do and I’ll do it!”

“Make yourself invisible to everyone but me and yourself. Do it carefully.”

Ariel leaves to do this while Prospero goes back in the shack to wake Miranda.

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“Yet you continue to complain and complain. You know what? If that complaining continues, I’ll split an oak tree in half and lock you inside for twelve more years. How about that?”

Ariel falls to the ground pleading, “Forgive me, I’ll do whatever you say with no complaints.”

Satisfied, Prospero says, “Do that, and I’ll give you your freedom in two days.”

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“So, you must have forgotten about that awful witch Sycorax? The hag who was left on this very island by sailors. And because you were to kind and sensitive to carry out her deeds, she locked you away. You were imprisoned for twelve years, stuck there even after she had died. Then, no one was left on the island but her son.”

“Yes, Caliban, her son.”

Prospero rolls his eyes, “I know, I just said that. When I arrived here, it was my magic that saved you.”

“And I thank you for that, Master.”

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“Sir,” Ariel begins hesitantly, “I must remind you of what you promised me.”

“And that is…” Prospero trails off.

“My freedom. I’ve done good work for you. I’ve been loyal and have made no mistakes. You, Master, promised to shorten my time as servant by a full year.”

Irritated, Prospero gets up from the boulder, “Oh, you must’ve forgotten who freed you from torture.”

“No, I haven’t.”

“Yeah, apparently so. But now you think what I ask of you is far too much.”

“I don’t sir.” Ariel says worriedly.

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Prospero digs, wanting to know more about what happened, “Wonderful! Surely everything was chaotic on that boat.”

“Everyone except for the sailors jumped into the sea to escape the fire. The king’s son, Ferdinand, was the first one to jump.”

Prospero asks, “And they’re all safe?”

“Not a hair on anyone’s head was harmed. As you told me to, I’ve scattered everyone from the ship in a few different groups around the island.”

“Well done.”

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Prospero picks up his magic cloak and drapes it over his shoulders, “Luck seems to have brought my old enemies to this island. This gives me an opportunity to act. But sleep now, Miranda.” Prospero compels Miranda to sleep and she does, resting her head on her arm.

Walking outside of the shack, Prospero calls out, “Ariel, come here now.”

“Master,” Prospero’s servant appears, “I’ve come to do whatever you like.”

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After a long silence, Miranda asks, “Well, how did we make it here to this island?”

“A kind nobleman named Gonzalo was responsible for abandoning us at sea. Out of kindness, he gave us some supplies. Knowing how much I loved my books, he stashed some for me on the boat.”

At the mention of a boat, Miranda immediately remembered the shipwreck, “Father, why did you start that storm earlier?”

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“How sad!” She gasps. “But wouldn’t it be easier to just kill us?”

“Great question. Since I was so loved by the city, they had to keep their actions bloodless. Anyways, they rushed us onto a ship and sailed a few miles out where a derelict, old boat waited for us. And we were left out there.” Prospero crosses his arms.

Miranda slides down the wall and sits, “I couldn’t imagine going through that with a child!”

“Oh Miranda,” Prospero says sympathetically, “you were the only thing keeping me alive. You gave me the strength and courage to face what was coming.”

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“So, Antonio was playing the role of Duke, but I was the only thing standing in his way of actually becoming one. Having decided I wasn’t able to rule my city effectively, he allied with the King of Naples to get rid of me. Tell me, is that someone you would call a brother?”

Miranda shakes her head, “Not at all.”

“Exactly. Here is what happened next. Antonio asked the King of Naples to remove me and all of my immediate family from Milan and Antonio would pay him. So they raised an army, opened the gates of Milan, and chased me and you out of the city.”

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“Yes I am.”

“Well, continue paying attention.” Prospero shifts his weight, “I admit, I neglected my duties to the government and isolated myself only to further my knowledge. But by doing this, I awoken an evilness in my brother; he lied to me, but I remained trusting in him and his leadership. When he established his position of power, he began to believe he was the rightful Duke instead of me. Listening?”

“It’s impossible not to listen to this story.”

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“Okay, listen carefully. I was the Duke of Milan, the most powerful city at the time. I was renowned for my knowledge and always needed to know more. Because I was so interested in my studies, I let my treacherous brother, Antonio, run the government. He was the one person I truly loved other than you. Your lying uncle-” Prospero pauses, “Are you still listening?”

Intrigued, Miranda quickly answers, “Yes.”

Prospero continues, “Antonio started to become good at the art of manipulation. He knew exactly who to promote and who to hold back in order to get what he wanted. He turned my people against me while controlling everything and everyone. He was like a leech, sucking the vitality out of me.” Prospero looks to Miranda, “You couldn’t possibly be listening.”

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“Of course,” Miranda responds, “but the memories I have seem more like a dream. Though I don’t remember how we got here.”

Prospero takes a deep breath, “Twelve years ago, I was a powerful Duke. You, Miranda, were my heir and would’ve been a princess. But because of the crimes committed against us, we were forced here.”

“What!” Miranda exclaims, so many thoughts running though her mind, “I need to hear more. Please, continue.”

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Prospero removes his magic cloak and lays it on the rotten, wooden floor.

“Pay close attention to what I’m about to tell you, it’s very important.”

Miranda nods, anticipating what the truth might be.

“Do you remember the time before we came to this island?” Prospero asks.

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Prospero walks over to her, “I’ve told you, they’re not dead. I’ve controlled the storm in such a way that no one could’ve possibly died.” Prospero places his hand on Miranda’s shoulder, “But I believe it’s time to tell you who you are.”

“What do you mean?” Miranda looks up at her father, eyes puffy and red.

“You don’t know where I came from or why we’re here on this island. I am more than what you think. And it’s about time I told you everything.”

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“Father!” Miranda cries as she busts through the door of her father’s tiny, shack home. She points towards the shore, “Don’t you know what’s going on? Don’t you see that ship being torn into pieces? Don’t you hear those cries?” Miranda pauses, realization setting in, “Oh my god! They must all be dead!”

“Relax, Miranda, no one was harmed.” Prospero calmly assures.

“This is insane!” She says with heaviness in her heart and tears streaming down her face, “If you saw what I just saw, you would know that’s impossible.”