The Graveyard Called 'Sanctuary'
Hello everyone and welcome to the latest chapter of A New Crusade! First off, a quick apology for getting this out a day late, been something of a busy week. But it's out now and hopefully you'll all enjoy it. And of course a quick shout out to Noble Eight for suggesting the story and character in the first place and for everyone who's supported the story up to this point. Now then, no guest review questions this week so let's dive on in!
Unknown Hilly Plain
So here he was at last, face to face with one of the witches of legend. Her name was Echidna, the Witch of Greed, and currently she was sitting at a table with tea and smug expression on her face. "Please Sir Knight," she said in a sweet tone, "it hurts to have you looking at me with such an alarmed expression. I may be a witch but I am still a tender young maiden you know."
"Do you really expect me to be anything other than alarmed right now," Ulric asked as he tightened his grip slightly on his sword, "you spirit me away to a completely different location and then reveal that I'm facing none other than the Witch of Greed. I doubt any sane individual wouldn't be alarmed."
"You make a fair point," admitted Echidna with a tilt of her head and a slow blink of her eyes, the smile never once leaving her face, "though you're mistaken about one thing. You were not 'spirited away', as you put it. At least not physically. You were merely invited to my tea party."
"So that means this is all an illusion then?" Questioned Ulric.
"In a manner of speaking," replied Echidna, "It is more correct to say that your mind or soul is here instead of your body. Now then, are you going to stand there all day? At least sit down. The tea is getting cold after all."
"Since the lady is insisting," said Ulric with a sigh as he sheathed his sword and walked towards the available empty chair. As he was about to the table he 'stumbled' a bit, before drawing his dagger and slashing at the Witch's neck. But he felt the blade pass through nothing as Echidna and the entire furniture set were suddenly gone.
"My, my," he heard the amused voice of the Witch of Greed as he turned to find he was back where he started, "pulling a knife on a maiden, such poor manners for a kni-." Her sentence was interrupted by a ball of light fired from Ulric's hand. But just as before it hit nothing, and didn't even seem to detonate against the landscape as Echidna was once again unharmed. "I suppose I should at least commend you for not vomiting before me."
"Even I am forced to admit that I've seen far worse sights than you," said Ulric as he sheathed his dagger and drew his sword, "but you are far from being a fair maiden either. I shall feel no guilt in cutting you down."
"As entertaining as your attempts would be to witness, I'm afraid it'd be futile trying to kill me," said Echidna with a sigh as she rested her chin on one hand, "given that I have already departed the plain of the living."
"All evidence to the contrary," said Ulric, "how is it you managed to bring me here then?"
"You actually entered here of your own accord," Echidna replied, "And I can easily send you back. But are you sure that's what you want?"
"You speak as if there's some sort of benefit to me remaining here," Ulric pointed out as he finally sheathed his sword and approached the table. Though he kept his hand on his dagger out of habit.
"Right now you have an opportunity to speak with me, the Witch of Greed," explained Echidna, "that is not something that just anyone, excluding you, can earn. The only real requirement to have a dialogue is for both of us to exist. Let's start by removing everything unnecessary from the picture." As she said this, all of the land, the umbrella and table before them and even the sky itself began to disintegrate. "We need only our words, so let me reaffirm the greed, desires, and curiosities that you seek to satisfy with answers."
Everything resembled the night sky now, but with numerous clouds that seemed to be outlined in various different colors. "What would you like to ask me first? You seem to have an interest in Gluttony, shall I tell you about the witch Daphne then," a dark cloud moved from behind Ulric and took the form of a feminine silhouette with short pigtails, "who created beasts that attempted to defy God's will to save the world from starvation? Perhaps you'd like to know about Carmilla, the Witch of Lust who attempted to fill the world with love by granting non-human beings emotions?"
The cloud reformed to a silhouette of one with an abnormally long scarf, then shifted again to one that had a single side pigtail as Echidna continued to speak. "Though you also desire to visit wrath upon certain individuals, so maybe you'd like to hear about Minerva, the Witch of Wrath who healed people by striking them while lamenting the state of her own war-torn world? How about the witch of Sloth, Sekhmet, who drove a dragon past the great waterfall merely for a chance to rest? Then there's Typhon, the Witch of Pride, who judged criminals one after another out of her own youthful innocence and cruelty?"
"You could also ask more about me, Echidna, the Witch of Greed who embodies the thirst for knowledge and who has done a number of things she regrets, even now in the realm of death, all in the pursuit of knowledge? Or, the Witch of Envy herself, who killed all the other witches and used them as sustenance while making the world her enemy in the process. Truly, the most detestable of all." Then, as suddenly as it had begun, it was over. The picturesque hills and sky had returned as well as the table and other chair.
As for the Crusader, he was currently trying to take in all that he'd just witnessed as he breathed heavily where he stood. "Oh dear, it seems I've frightened you a bit too much," said Echidna in mock regret, "the nature of a witch really is quite bothersome at times." Ulric would've replied to that if not for a sudden pain in his chest that forced him to grab onto the chair for support while his other hand gripped his stomach. "Oh, that took slightly less time than I expected. It really does help when one is compatible."
"W-what have you done to me, witch?" Ulric managed to growl out.
"I merely strengthened your resistance by enhancing the Sloth Witch Factor within you," explained Echidna, "now you and I can talk at leisure." She rested her chin on both her hands as she said the next part, "so, what would you like to ask me?"
"What did you mean when you said the Sloth Witch Factor within me?" Questioned Ulric.
"It is one of the reasons I find your existence desirable," replied Echidna before getting a bashful look on her face, "it's actually a little embarrassing for me."
"That still fails to answer my question," Ulric pointed out with a slight tone of annoyance in his voice.
"Not so long ago, as in the past few days, you killed the one who possessed the Sloth Witch Factor, correct?" Asked Echidna.
"And I made damn sure he was dead," said Ulric, "are you saying he isn't?"
"He is dead," affirmed Echidna, "you see when he died, the Witch Factor that formerly inhabited his body chose you as its new dwelling. It's also the reason you were able to enter this graveyard unscathed."
"You mean this temple, is like a mausoleum?" Questioned Ulric.
"Correct," affirmed Echidna, "it is known as the Witch's Graveyard, where my soul is currently being held prisoner…though you know it as the Sanctuary."
"So we really have arrived then," said Ulric, "does that mean the village we sought is beyond these ruins?"
"Just outside them, actually," confirmed Echidna, "now then, what else would you like to ask me?"
"I have quite the assortment of questions I would like to ask you," said Ulric as he turned to leave, "but duty demands I be elsewhere. You said you could send me back if I desired to leave?"
"Well yes I, wait, you want to leave already?" Questioned Echidna with more than a hint of surprise.
"Had I time to waste I would have you indulge my curiosity," replied Ulric, "but as said, I must meet back up with my lady and my mount Spiegel. And I suppose I should make sure that merchant is unharmed as well."
"But I am the Witch of Greed," said Echidna, losing her earlier calm demeanor entirely as she stood up, "people, powerful people from around the world have come to me in search of knowledge! So…um, relax! I'm certain your charges are fine so stay and let's talk! I have knowledge you could greatly benefit from!"
"And what price would be entailed to obtain knowledge from a witch, I wonder," said Ulric as he glanced back at her, "besides, seeing one such as yourself so flustered makes me want to ask a question even less. Now then, are you going to release me from this place or not?"
"OOOOOH," groaned the Witch of Greed as she collapsed onto the table in defeat with her head in her arms, "very well, I've almost never had a tea party like this." With a quick wave of her hand, a black and blue, swirling portal opened up just a few feet from the knight. "But question or not, I still must take my compensation."
"And there's the greed I was expecting," said Ulric as he turned back to her, "how does one compensate a witch? I'll have you know here and now that I will not hand over my blood nor my soul."
"It's nothing so dramatic as that," said Echidna as she stood back up with her smile on her face once again, "what I require, good Sir Knight, is a vow. You are to tell not a single soul what has transpired at this tea party."
"You'd ask that I hide something from my lady," said Ulric.
"That is my condition if you wish to leave," replied Echidna as she stood up and approached him, "but I'll send you away with a souvenir of sorts. I shall grant you the right to face the trial of the Sanctuary."
"I fail to see why it would be necessary for me to face a trial in the first place," said Ulric.
"You will understand soon enough," said Echidna as she placed her hand over the Knight's heart, "and once you know of its worth, I wonder what sort of feelings you shall have towards me. The mere thought of such beautiful expectations is truly exquisite to me." She emphasized this by licking the back of her hand, apparently savoring the taste.
"And now, you look like a witch," said Ulric as he witnessed the sight before him.
"Indeed I am," replied Echidna as she stepped forward slightly, "I am a very, very evil magic user. Farewell for now, good Sir Knight." With that, she lightly tapped him on his forehead. Despite it just being her finger, Ulric still lost his balance and fell into the portal as everything was once again engulfed in darkness.
He awoke with a start as his eyes readjusted to the dim interior of the temple before landing on the exit. 'What was that just now?' Questioned the Knight as he began making his way towards the entrance, shaking his head to clear it. 'I feel as if I should remember, a conversation?'
It was yet another mystery which would have to wait for the knight as he exited the temple, his eyes adjusting to the light and the sight before him. "Wait a moment, Otto?" Questioned Ulric as he took in the sight of the carriage being pulled by Spiegel and Otto, more than a little roughed up, lying spread eagle on the ground. "Otto what happened, are you hur-?" Ulric started to ask before another, unfamiliar voice, interrupted him.
"Well look at you just waltzing out of there," said the voice, which Ulric registered as coming from his back left just in time to avoid a swipe from a man wearing long black pants that covered down to his toes with a purple, skirt-like decoration hanging from it. He had black bands on his arms and his upper body was covered only by a black vest. "You've got some nerve, outsider."
"I did not come here seeking a confrontation," said Ulric as he noted the 'x'-shaped scar, short blond hair and green eyes of his attacker.
"Too bad!" exclaimed the unknown enemy as he leapt up and brought his foot crashing down towards the knight. Ulric quickly leapt back and was glad he did as the impact kicked up a good bit of dust. "I'm gonna throw you guys outta this forest half-dead! But don't worry, I'll leave you alive enough to swear you won't tell a soul about this place!"
"Why must I repeat myself!" Exclaimed Ulric as he unhooked his sword, sheath and all while dodging to the side of the first blow. He then ducked under the next and spun right to avoid the follow up before swinging his sheathed sword with a good bit of force against his opponent's neck. To his shock, it felt like he'd just hit a tree or a large stone!
"You're not half bad," said his opponent with a smile, exposing his sharpened teeth, "this'll be more fun than I thought!" Ulric quickly reacted and pulled his weapon away before it could be grabbed, but it left him nearly no time at all to turn his head and dodge the next punch from the blond man. It was so close in fact that Ulric felt a scratch on his cheek as he backed away and struck his enemy in the side. As before, it did little more than agitate his aggressor as he ducked out of the way of another kick.
It was then that he saw it, a familiar blue diamond necklace. Thinking quickly, the knight said the first thing that came to mind. "Do you know Frederica Baumann?!" The next punch that had been thrown stopped just short of his face.
"Why in the world did I just hear her name from your disgusting mouth?" Questioned the blond man.
"Because she was the one who told us how to find this location," explained Ulric as he reached into his pocket and withdrew the necklace she'd given Emilia, "she even gifted us this to get beyond the barrier."
"Heh," said the blond man, "well my name's Garfiel. If you know her then she surely mentioned that name."
"More than once," replied Ulric, "though now that I actually have a chance to take a proper look at you, it's pretty obvious you have a few traits in common. Are you related by chance?" The now named Garfiel merely 'harrumphed' as he crossed his arms and sighed in disappointment.
"And here I was hoping to have some fun today," he remarked, "alright knight boy, get your driver up and let's get going."
A Short Ride Later
"I got beaten to a pulp for nothing," whined Otto as he drove the carriage while Garfiel, Ulric and the still unconscious Emilia sat in the back, "what am I supposed to do with all this anger now?"
"Are you ever gonna shut up about that, trader," said Garfiel with a nonchalant wave of his hand, "I already apologized, didn't I?"
"If you think 'hey, sorry numbskull I kinda jumped the gun', passes for an apology," said Otto.
"Whatever," said Garfiel as he leaned back with his hands behind his head, "if you'd shown me that thing sooner that woulda done the trick. Gotta act on a ganglion before you think about it."
"Where you even attempting to make sense with that statement?" Questioned Ulric with a raised eyebrow.
"And lookin' at that hair," continued Garfiel, unimpeded, "I'm guessin' that's the famous Lady Emilia? Or more specifically the silver-haired half dev-."
"Do not address her in such a way," warned Ulric as he sat forward a bit, "she has done nothing to earn your scorn and more to the point she is not that witch Satella!"
"Oh, you can put some energy into your voice after all," said Garfiel as he clasped his hands in front of his face and cracked his knuckles, "and to say the dreaded witch of Envy's name so casually. I think you wanna know what a bazomazo feels like when it's bein' flung back an' forth."
"If that was your attempt at a threat it's no wonder you prefer to attack first," said Ulric, "can anyone even be frightened when they can't understand a word of what you're saying?" Garfiel tilted his head in slight confusion at that but any further conversation was halted by the light groaning of Emilia waking up. "Your Ladyship." The knight moved and helped her orient herself, "are you alright?"
"Ulric," groaned Emilia as she held her head before noticing Garfiel was in the carriage. She immediately jumped up with her hands in a defensive position. "Who are you, and how did you get inside the carriage?!"
"There's no call for alarm Lady Emilia," said Ulric as he put a reassuring hand on her shoulder, "this is Garfiel, the one Frederica told us about."
"You should listen to your knight," assured Garfiel as he went back into a resting position, "I don't want Ram givin' me the business later."
"Oh, you're Garfiel, and you know Ram?" Said Emilia as her expression turned from serious to more curious.
"He's showing us the way to the Sanctuary this very moment," said Ulric before switching over to Garfiel, "and Ram and the other villagers from Arlam should still be there, correct?"
"Believe me or not it's your call," replied the half-beast man, "either way, ain't no turnin' back now that we're past the barrier."
"So we're in the Sanctuary right now?" Questioned Emilia as she looked out the window.
"Ah give me a break," said Garfiel, "didn'tcha fall asleep as soon as you got close to the barrier?"
"Come to think of it," recalled Emilia, "when that stone glowed, it was at the exact moment Otto said we'd arrived."
"Which means this stone was set to react to the barrier," Ulric further surmised as he pulled said stone out and examined it. "But that still begs the question as to why Lady Emilia was the only one to pass out."
"You should know damn well why the barrier reacted to her and not to anyone else," scoffed Garfiel, "the barrier reacts to more than just half-elves. It reacts to me and lots 'o others 'cause-."
"You also have mixed blood," Emilia finished the explanation for him.
"So the Sanctuary isn't specifically for demi-humans, but those who have mixed blood," surmised Ulric.
"You got it!" Exclaimed Garfiel as he stood up, "and we welcome you, Lady Emilia, and your two escorts to our humble village!" He pointed behind him, which Ulric and Emilia took as a signal to slide open the carriage window and peer out of it. There was indeed a village with numerous brick and mortar houses sporting brown-tiled roofs. Unlike Arlam, there was more overgrowth and some houses were almost completely hidden by small trees.
"Roswaal likes callin' it the Sanctuary," said Garfiel, "but it ain't a nice enough place for that kind o' name." And as they approached it became obvious why. Many of the houses were old and slightly decrepit. And the inhabitants themselves all had worn clothes to one degree or another. "Nothin' much here but a hodgepodge of half-wits, a dead-end testing ground."
'Well I won't deny the part about half-wits,' thought Ulric with a glance at Garfiel, deciding it better not to voice his thoughts aloud for the moment. "Um, where should we," Otto began to ask before stopping the carriage in front of a familiar little girl with pink hair and a maid's uniform.
"So you're back," said Ram as she stood in front of the carriage, her arms expectedly crossed, "it took you long enough."
"Ah Ram," said Ulric as he stepped out of the carriage, "how I've missed your sharp wit."
"I can only express disappointment in how long it took you to get here," said Ram with a sigh, "but I suppose I was a fool to expect more from a lackluster knight."
"A thousand apologies," said Ulric with a mock bow, "I was trying my hand at whaling and the time got away from me. Frederica also sends her regards about the mansion's desolate state." Ram simply 'hmphed' before resuming her normal formal posture and bowing to Emilia.
"I welcome you, Lady Emilia," she said with a bow, "Lord Roswaal is waiting inside. Please allow me so show you the way." She turned to Garfiel then. "Garf, take the carriage and liger somewhere suitable."
"Is that any way to treat me?" Questioned Garf with a bit of irritation in his voice before smiling suddenly. "But that's just the way I like it. Yo cabbie, follow me!"
"Am I a cabbie now?!" Exclaimed Otto in slight dismay, "that's the worst name you've called me yet! And do I have to really be alone with him?!"
"Just don't mention any strange sounding animals and you should be fine," said Ulric reassuringly.
"Oh why am I being treated so roughly?!" Exclaimed Otto.
"You needn't worry so much Otto," said Ulric, "if anything I owe you and Spiegel for keeping her ladyship safe after I was whisked away. So you have my thanks for that."
"W-Well as long as you're being appreciative," said Otto as he snapped the reins and led the carriage away. Ulric had meant every word of what he said too. Ram was right in one part of her assessment, he had been a little lackluster in keeping Emilia safe this time around. Though now that he looked back at Ram, he was immediately reminded of her sister.
"What is it?" Questioned Ram, noting the small bit of sadness in his gaze.
"I, should thank you as well," said Ulric, "for keeping the other villagers safe. It is also good to see you are alright."
"I'm as healthy and beautiful as I've ever been," said Ram with a genuine smile, "and you'll find the villagers have been well taken care of. You can be at ease."
"You should also know," said Ulric as he rubbed the back of his head, "we've, uh, hired some new maids at the mansion. I think you might know one of them." Ram looked a bit confused for a moment at the last part of his statement before Emilia interrupted.
"Ram," said Emilia, "this probably isn't the safest place to stand around and talk. Would you kindly show us inside?"
"Certainly," said Ram with a respectful bow before turning and heading in. Emilia came into step next to Ulric before whispering her next question. "Are you alright Ulric? I'm sorry if I interrupted."
"You needn't apologize," said Ulric with a sigh, "in all the commotion it had slipped my mind that Ram no longer remembers her sister. Finding a way to bring it up is going to prove somewhat difficult I fear."
"Well come what may, you should know that you can count on me to help you," said Emilia as she took his hand in hers in a reassuring gesture, "we'll fix what happened to Rem and everything else along the way."
"Your optimism is inspiring as always," said Ulric with a light smile, "So we've no choice but to soldier on. Deus Vult."
Night Time: Main Cottage of the Sanctuary
"Aaaaaaaaaah, Emilia and Sir Ulric," said Roswaal in his usual drawling tone, "it feels like it's been so veeeery long since I last saw the both of you."
"I'm not sure whether to condemn or commend the one responsible for reducing you to such a state," said Ulric as he looked upon the most powerful magic user in the land's current state.
"What exactly hurt you so badly?" Asked Emilia with her usual worried nature. Though it was more than justified as Roswaal was currently sitting up in the bed provided to him without his trademark flamboyant clothing or even his makeup on. The reason for this being that he was covered almost head to toe in bandages.
"Oh dear," said Roswaal, "where shaaaaaall I begin on this turn of events?"
"It seems fitting given your apparent abandonment of your duties," said Ulric, "you should thank God that an alliance with Lady Crusch managed to result from all of this."
"I am quite pleaaaaased at the outcome," said Roswaal with a smile, "I truly, truly am. Your presence here has been the once-in-a-lifetime windfall I've loooong been hoping for."
"So you say," responded Ulric with his arms crossed.
"Roswaal," said Emilia with her hands clasped in front of her, "what exactly is this place? Since we've arrived, or rather ever since we made contact with the barrier, I've been unable to relax because of this anxious feeling in my chest. This place doesn't seem like a sanctuary to me at all."
"Does it make more sense to call it by its other name, the Witch's Graveyard," asked Roswaal with a slightly more wicked smile.
"W-what do you mean by that?" Questioned Emilia with a hint of worry in her voice.
"Exactly as I said," explained Roswaal, "long ago, this place is where the Witch of Greed, Echidna, met her end. In my mind, it is worth calling a 'Sanctuary'."
"The Witch of Greed, Echidna," said Ulric as a strange feeling passed over him upon hearing that name.
"Is something wrong Ulric," asked Emilia, noticing how he was staring off into space.
"Uh, my apologies your Ladyship," said Ulric, "I was merely wondering why Lord Roswaal is overseeing such a cursed place?"
"It's quite simple really," replied Roswaal, "the heads of the Mathers family have been overseeing this land for generations."
"So your family and the Witch of Greed have-," Emilia started to say before Roswaal interrupted her.
"Echidna," he corrected with a bit of sternness in his voice before returning to his usual playful tone, "please do use her name when you speak of her. The title 'Witch of Greed' makes her sound soooo evil. It's not very nice, is it?"
"Even if Echidna herself would acknowledge that she is a very very evil magic user," Ulric suddenly asked. Roswaal didn't answer immediately, creating a short but awkward silence in the room that was quickly broken by Emilia.
"Um, so the Mathers family and Echidna have been acquainted for a long time," said Emilia, "and that's the reason they oversee this place?"
"It is a bit of an exaggeration to say that we 'oversee' it," replied Roswaal, "you see Echidna's barrier prevents entry to outsiders who fail to follow the forest's proper procedure. In addition to that, it has certain effects on those whose blood meets certain conditions. I imagine you experienced this yourself, Lady Emilia." The half-elf girl nodded in answer to that.
"None of this so far has answered how you wound up in your current state," Ulric pointed out. Ram, who'd been standing on the other side of Roswaal's bed the whole time spoke up to answer this question.
"Did you not find it at all strange, Lady Emilia," questioned Ram, "that all the people who fled here to the Sanctuary, including Lord Roswaal and myself, remained instead of returning to the mansion?"
"One would think it'd be because of your injuries," said Ulric as he indicated Roswaal, "not being able to be moved due to their severity. But seeing as you're sitting up now, I have to ask if you received them trying to leave here?"
"To put it simply," said Roswaal, "we are all being held here under hooooouse arrest." Emilia gave a gasp of surprise while Ulric himself grunted a bit in surprise himself.
"Myself, Ram and the people of Arlam," said Roswaal, "aaaaaand before I forget, you two are now included in that count and have been from the moment you entered here." Ulric was going to respond to this until the door opened behind them, prompting him to turn around with his sword half-drawn.
"What the heck," said Garfiel in only mild surprise as he stood in the doorway, "You're all still flappin' your gums in here?"
"Garfiel, are Roswaal's injuries from-," Emilia started to ask.
"Not me," said Garfiel with a toothy smile, "he got messed up because he was rejected by the trial."
"The trial, of the Sanctuary?" Asked Ulric, not sure why it sounded so familiar.
"You've seen what happens when you come in contact with the barrier, Right?" Asked Garfiel, "Any mixed bloods that come here after going through that, are never allowed to leave."
"So as of now, Emilia can't leave?!" Ulric said aloud as realization hit both him and the half-elf at the same time.
"To most people the barrier doesn't mean squat," explained Garfiel, "seems a bit unfair, doesn't it? And the only way to break through that barrier is to go through the trials of the graveyard, but if you're not a mixed blood and give it a go…" He let the statement hang as Roswaal's condition was a clear enough explanation. "All the villagers are rounded up in one place right now, and so long as they don't act up we won't lay a hand on 'em. We're even givin' 'em three meals and a nap every day!"
"Hostages," said Ulric as his eyes narrowed, "so I take it you have some demands?"
"We got just the one demand," replied Garfiel as he indicated Emilia, "break the barrier surrounding the Sanctuary. From what I hear the only one allowed to undergo the trial is you. We won't let any of the villagers leave until you can break it. And of course you yourself can't leave here right now either!"
Sunset: Old Church of the Sanctuary
It was a scene the Crusader was unfortunately a bit familiar with. An old run-down church with a few guards standing around it, keeping the civilians inside. He himself had stood guard once or twice under such circumstances when he and his fellow Crusaders were holding enemy combatants and noncombatants prisoner. So he wasn't surprised to see the villagers looking a bit downcast when he was allowed to approach and push open the doors.
But the mood lifted a bit upon them seeing who'd entered. "Sir Ulric! Thank goodness you're safe! It's wonderful to see you!" Said the villagers one after the other as they all gathered around the entrance where the knight stood.
"It's wonderful to see that all of you are well," said Ulric. His response to that was a few more questions: Are the others alright, how are the Lord's injuries, etc. "If you will all listen up for a moment, I'll explain the situation. The cultists and their leader are dead and the other group that evacuated to the capital has returned to the village. They're all waiting for you to come home."
The change from hopeful to somber told the knight something else. "It seems you've all been informed of the current situation. But fear not, we have a candidate capable of undergoing the trial and setting you all free."
"You mean, are you going to attempt it Sir Ulric?" Asked one of the villagers.
"Were it possible I most certainly would," replied Ulric as he stood to the side of the door and held out his hand, "I believe you are all familiar with her ladyship. She is the one who shall be undergoing the trial." Emilia entered then and took a deep breath before speaking.
"I-I'm sorry you all had to wait so long," said Emilia a little nervously, "but now that I'm here, I will undergo the trial in place of your lord, Roswaal. And I would appreciate all of your support!" She bowed then as the villagers took a moment to mull over her words. It was something of a tense silence until the old village chief stepped forward.
"Let me ask something," she said as she stepped forward, "why do this for us? You bowed your head to use the last time we spoke, yet we turned you away. If you're doing this so that we will back you in the royal selection, that's fine so long as you're honest about your intentions. But we would also like to know if it's for some other reason, so that we know you are not a witch beyond our comprehension."
"I could, and maybe should, easily berate you again for such an attitude," said Ulric, "being ignorant is one thing but being willfully ignorant is-." He was stopped by Emilia holding her hand up. The knight nodded in understanding and let her speak as requested.
"I don't have the confidence to give you a respectable answer right now," admitted Emilia, "no strong convincing words that will make all of you believe me either. But I spent a short time with your families who aren't here now and I realized, that families should be together. So I want to return all of you to your families. Even if I didn't make a promise to them I made a promise to myself. That is my only reason for doing this, though if possible, I'd also like to be friends with you all."
The Village Chief seemed to think on her words for a moment. "Lady Emilia, I know this will sound like we only care about what benefits us, but I pray you will accept our friendship." The old woman bowed then with the rest of the villagers following suit.
"Uh, I pray for the same," said Emilia after getting over her slight disbelief and also bowing, "I know I'm not worthy, but please accept my friendship!"
"I'd make an argument about that," said Ulric, "but out of respect I won't spoil this moment." He turned and exited the church then, only to be met by Ram of all people.
"Lady Emilia seems to have changed the slightest bit," observed Ram, "did you have something to do with that?"
"Emilia made this decision on her own," assured Ulric, "I am but her knight. I will give my opinion to her when asked but what she does is up to her."
"I suppose you're right," said Ram, "I must admit I was mistaken this time."
"An admission that you were wrong about something," said Ulric with a raised eyebrow, "perhaps Emilia isn't the one who's changed."
"Hmpf, I am still right about most things concerning you, lackluster knight," said Ram, flipping her hair with her hand. Ulric merely chuckled at her response as the sun set upon that evening.
Nighttime: The Tomb
If the Witch's Graveyard had seemed somewhat foreboding during the day, the night only made it more so. Aside from the moon and stars, the only forms of light were a collection of torches set up around the outside. Emilia was preparing herself by communing with the numerous floating spirits around her. Once she was ready, their light disappeared as she opened her eyes.
"Do you require anything else for preparation, your ladyship?" Asked Ulric as he stood in front of the carriage with Spiegel and Otto behind him.
"I've gotten plenty of support from the lesser spirits," assured Emilia with a smile as she turned towards them, "though I wouldn't mind one of your prayers."
"I am no priest, but I shall do what I can," said Ulric as he accepted both of her hands. They bowed their heads and closed their eyes. "Oh holy Lord, grant my lady the strength she needs to face the obstacles ahead and guide her along the right path." The silver-haired girl opened her eyes then with a smile.
"Deus Vult," she said softly with a nod of her head.
"Deus Vult, Emilia," said Ulric. He released her hands then as she approached the temple with a determined expression. As she got close, the tomb glowed in a faint blue light.
"That light means she's approved as a challenger in the trial," explained Garfiel, who was standing to the side with Ram. Emilia gave a quick nod in understanding before proceeding inside.
"Since we're waiting," said Ulric as he turned to Garfiel, "I suppose now would be a good time for you to explain why you, a qualified half-blood, were unable to pass the trial? It's clearly not a physical test given your strength." The half-beast man grit his teeth at the question, but before he could respond the light from the tomb faded. The look of alarm that crossed his and Ram's faces told Ulric that something wasn't right. "What's happened?"
"The light's not supposed to go out as long as the trial is going on," said Garfiel with confusion on his features.
"But if the trial suddenly stopped it means, Lady Emilia!" Ulric shouted the last part as he put his helmet on and raced into the tomb with his sword drawn. Ram attempted to rush after him but stopped when the tomb began glowing once again upon the Knight's entry. He didn't think about the reason why he was able to enter as he looked upon the halls that were glowing with numerous small lights similar to Emilia's spirits.
Soon enough, he approached an ornate wooden door which was partially open. He shoved it the rest of the way open and found Emilia lying on the stone floor. "Your Ladyship!" he exclaimed as he went to see what was wrong. But as he approached, a strange feeling came over him as he felt his consciousness slip.
"The first trial, is to face your own past," said a voice in his mind as darkness suddenly overcame his sight. How long it lasted, he wasn't sure, but soon enough he heard a noise. Or rather a collection of noises which grew louder and louder. He knew those sounds.
The clanging of steel against steel, the thunder of hooves and armored feet trampling the ground in every direction, the battle cries of numerous voices in rage, pain, and everything in between. He smelled blood, iron, numerous burning materials and the all too familiar stench of death. His vision returned to him then as he realized where he was, a battlefield. 'How can it be,' thought Ulric as he looked to see his old armor and sword had returned to him, 'how did I return to the Holy Land? Why am I at war again?' And indeed it seemed he had returned, to the Crusades.
And so it has come, our fellow knight has stumbled into the first trial of the Sanctuary and must now face some unpleasant truths! And once again, an apology for getting this out later than I intended, been a slightly busier week than usual. But hopefully that hasn't made the latest chapter any less enjoyable, so as always feel free to leave a comment or review about what you liked/disliked or if you've got any neat ideas for future chapters. Be sure to stop in next time as Ulric questions his time being a knight. 'Til then.