Birth of a New Planet

by Venomous Blade

Most of the Lostbelts had been intended to provide something better than normal human history, but this one was fighting for the very right to exist. And as a previous unknown is thrown into the vicious cacophony of war and blood, he will end up fighting for both his right to exist, and to prove his story is worth sharing.

36. A Quiet Before the Wail

Alright, so the Lostbelt 6 Part 1 is out, parts of it surprised me, parts disappointed, but I wouldn't call it bad. In any case, here's Chapter 34, and it's easily the longest chapter I've ever done, no lie there. This is definitely the starting point for where the story gets more serious, both in the past and in the present. There's no stopping the train now.

Without further ado, here is Chapter 34, I thank you for your patience and I hope you have an amazing day.

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"I tell you, next time we face off, it will be you falling off you steed, Accolon." Guiomar boasted as he slammed his goblet on the table, now empty of wine. Guinevere giggled while Sadoine was exasperated, King Accolon's face a smug form of arrogance. During the jousting part of the tournament, Guiomar had made it to the semifinals before handed a defeat by the ruler of Gaul, who would then proceed to defeat his last opponent in the final match, winning quite a bit of gold and a majestic wreath which he then gave to Queen Morgan, another insult to Guiomar.

Accolon smirked, "If you wish to bequeath flowers to the finest lady in all of Britain then by all means, do so, she deserves them. Only so long as in the case you speak of, you let her know that they were given to you by me for her." He sighed as he parted some of his dirty blonde-hair from his face, "She should know that even while she's chained with a rotting corpse in armor, there is a man who views her with the respect she deserves, one willing to be there for her when he will not."

"King Accolon, Queen Morgan is both married and her husband is very much alive." Guinevere replied innocently, "It is wrong to speak in such a manner, especially about an esteemed ally of my father." The newly made Queen was aware Lot had tried to take the throne of Camelot from her friend but being the naïve soul Merlin had marked as the one to be Artoria's wife, she assumed they were now friends.

A dark look came to Accolon's face as he took a sip of wine, his eyes on the young Queen, before he set it down on the table. "Young girls would do well to stay out of the conversations of adults. As for that 'esteemed' man your castrated father is allied, I personally saw him coughing up blood earlier. Likely due to die sometime soon. And I should say I will drink much more happily knowing he no longer blights the land with his existence." He chuckled at her shocked face while Sadoine and Guiomar stood in front of her, both glaring at him. "Relax now, this is no place to fight, and I have no wish for one. Please, calm yourself, for we are not savages."

"Perhaps you should speak to the Queen of this land with better respect King Accolon. As a Knight of the Round, all I need from her is the order, and I can slice off your head with no guilt attached." Sadoine growled, Guiomar holding his goblet as if to smash it in the King of Gaul's face.

"How sweet," Accolon replied unaffected, "A spoiled girl given everything thanks to her noble lineage, never needing to strain herself to get it. Praise to King Leodegan for his efforts, and more praise to Uther Pendragon for his vision that Arthur now tries to make reality." His face lost his smile, a more haunted look in his eyes, "Pray that the vision be so blinding, that you only see the light, and not the shadows cast upon those who stood in the way of that vision through no fault of their own." He sighed, "But enough of this, I feel we are scaring her now."

Guiomar and Sadoine turned to see Guinevere with a terrified expression, taking a moment to reach out and take 1 hand from either cousin with one of hers, gripping them tightly. Accolon sighed, "My apologies, I suppose." He then turned his gaze to look through the crowd of people before groaning, "Well look who comes." Guiomar, Sadoine, and Guinevere turned their heads to see King Leodegan walking towards them, an older man with a limp beside him. He had grayish hair and brown eyes, his legs feebly keeping up as he kept up with a walking stick. Accolon sighed, "Fool probably still wants to convince me to marry his daughter."

The 4 bowed towards the older kings, and the one with the cane smiled, placing a hand on the table before speaking with a surprisingly deep and strong voice, "Bless my soul that I can still partake in such celebration, especially for the new Queen." He bowed towards Guinevere, "Greetings, I am Learn Harrow, ruler of Lahia. Although," He rose and smiled at the young Queen, "I would say that my own daughter will soon need to take her place, and she be only a few years older than you." He sighed, "Still, peaceful days of celebration such as these are hard to come by and may bring blessings in the future." Looking at her and her cousins with wistful eyes, he then said, "Well, do not stay here. Enjoy yourselves and your youth while you have time, you do not know when you will not have it again. As for us," He turned his head to King Accolon, who nodded, "We must preside over the future."

The 3 bowed and made their leave, exchanging a wave with Leodegan, who gave his daughter and nephews a smile. Once they were out of earshot, Guiomar whispered, "Don't let him frighten you. Next time he tries to talk down to you in your own kingdom, we'll make sure he learns respect." Sadoine nodded at that statement.

Guinevere clenched her fists, "How could I be so weak before someone at the start of my time as a Queen. I'm not a child anymore." She grew sad, "Lady Morgan would have held herself better against a scoundrel like him, she would have been able to keep him silent instead of letting him throw such insults at her lord." Guinevere looked down at the ground, "It seems I have a lot to learn."

Guiomar gave her a smile, "Do not worry, you're not alone here, Guinevere." He saw 'King Arthur,' Sir Kay, and Bedivere approach them, "Well, it appears my liege be looking for you. How about I find Lady Morgan so you and her can talk later, and she can give you guidance?" Guinevere's face brightened and she nodded, causing Sadoine to laugh. Making his leave, Guiomar waved goodbye to his brother and cousin and waded through all the people at the feast to find the older sister of the King of Knights.

It took a bit of time because of the crowd, and he got sidetracked speaking to a few knights and 1 or 2 women, however, he finally did catch sight of her. However, upon catching sight of her, Guiomar grew worried at what he saw. Her face was a mix of fear, anger, and agitation, her face somewhat red, possibly due to too much wine as he glimpsed her drink a whole goblet straight before putting it down. She looked at her surroundings with paranoia before departing through a side hallway. Deciding to follow her, Guiomar made his way out of the crowd and into the hallway that was lit only by the torches hanging around the left and right side. It got cooler and cooler the further he went, this hallway likely led to the outside.

He felt a frigid breeze hit his body as he saw the torches up ahead go out, meaning Lady Morgan must have went outdoors for some mad reason. Upon reaching the door, he paused as he heard Lady Morgan's pained voice, as though she were talking to somebody, but who was there with her. By the sound of her voice, this other person could not be good, and Guiomar knew he had to act. Opening, the door, he braced himself from the cold wind as he saw Lady Morgan back turned towards him. But nothing prepared him for what she then yelled as he closed the door behind him.

"I'LL NEVER FORGIVE HIM FOR KILLING OUR DAUGHTER!" Guiomar froze as she then stumbled a bit, "I will not, I will never…" She panted with rage, having not noticed his presence.

Taking a moment to gather himself, he then spoke, "Queen Morgan?" He saw her freeze before moving to her side and turning her head to stare at him with horror, as though he were a carnivorous predator. "What are you speaking of?!" He asked, still somewhat shocked.

Her eyes widened as she stared at him like he was a monster, slipping on the icy ground as she tried to meet his gaze. Not sure what to do, he extended an arm for her to grab, and she gripped it so hard, he swore she may tear into the cloth as well as his skin. "You heard, you heard!" She panted, as though she was about to be killed by madmen. Drunkenness inhibiting her, she ended up slipping while trying to get up, causing Guiomar to catch her and hold the Queen in his arms.

He tried to console her, "Take heart, Lady Morgan. Let us get out of the cold. I'll find my liege and get a servant to-" Guiomar stopped as he heard her breathing become more rapid.

"No, please no!" She quivered in his embrace, "No one can know, no one, I can't let anyone…" She seemed to be having a deep quarrel in her mind, only able to grip Guiomar, quietly begging to not see anyone.

Not knowing what to do, Guiomar secretly took Morgan through the castle to reach one of the smaller rooms that guests may have used, like the one Gareth had been in upon being ill. He sighed with relief as he got Lady Morgan to a bed, no one having followed them. The only source of brightness being the dim light of torches from outside the room. He turned to Morgan with concern as he saw her slowly regain her wits, though fear and paranoia were still etched in her face. "How much did you hear?" She asked him quietly, questioning how many of her inner thoughts she may have accidentally spoken aloud without meaning to. Depending on how much, she may wipe his memory of them.

Guiomar bit back the confusion and fear he felt at the sight of her glare and responded honestly, "Only the last part, which was confusing by itself." He looked at her with concern, "Are you alright Lady Morgan?" She did not respond, and merely chose to stare at the ground. Guiomar thought for a moment before speaking again. "Soon after Princess Gareth arrived here, she revealed herself to us during a feast, wanting to see her brothers Gawain and Gaheris. They, along with my brother and myself, question her and Sir Lancelot as for why she was here." He looked away for a moment before continuing, "During the conversation, Sadoine and I learned that you wanted young Gareth to be in a place free of King Lot's influence. We left after that, did not stay for the rest of the conversation." Guiomar stopped before going on, but Gawain later told us the rest of it." Taking a moment to look at her, a lump formed in his throat as his mind ended up going back to Accolon's earlier quotes, along with what he had just heard, and wondered if he should stop. However, Morgan's eyes were now on him with intent, so he could not stop.

He looked to the wall, "It must have been so hard for you, after your eldest child died, and at the hand of someone who should have protected her. I cannot imagine the burden." His fists tightened, not noticing the way Morgan's eyes widened, "To do something like what Ywain did to Teneu is sacrilegious, a sin of the highest order. I could never imagine doing that, or Sadoine acting that way, not to Guinevere. And to then kill her. It is a blessing that he is dead." Guiomar remarked with disgust.

"He's not dead…" He turned to look at her and noticed her haunted face. "But he may… I may…" She shivered as her mind spun around while she grabbed her arms and tried to calm herself down.

Guiomar knelt in front of her and clasped her hands with his own, "What is paining you, Fair Morgan? What are you speaking of?" He implored gently, looking at her in the eyes.

She stared him for a moment, her eyes a twisting bind of blue and green, "I'm afraid… I'm afraid I'll kill him… my husband."

Guiomar was shocked, "Why would you do that?" He saw struggle within her as she looked like she wanted to take back what she had said and was about to do something hasty, and he then said, "I'll not tell anyone, I promise you. But please, tell me. Why do you feel compelled to kill King Lot?"

She shook for a moment, quivering as the truth found its way off her tongue, "Because he was the one who killed Teneu…"

(3 and a ½ years ago)

"You think I'd let you toss her away like livestock to any loathsome lord for political gains?! I've told you in letter and word I'd do anything for her!" That is what Ywain spat at King Lot to his face as they stood near the edge of Traprain Law in armor and sword sheathed by their sides, Morgan and Teneu watching, a fully armored Lord Dura and 3 guards forming a barrier between them and the 2. "Any man you chose would have treated her terribly, and been unfaithful to her, I would be none of those things! I was not going to let her be taken away from me!" He shouted as he furiously tried to justify what he had done to his own cousin. "Why should I stand idle and meekly accept that she be given to some dog who would never appreciate her as I do, who would not see her kindness and worth and be grateful to have her in their life, see the sacrifices she has made! Who am I to accept that?!" He barked like a madman.

Teneu shook her head viciously with tears in her eyes, her hands clasped around the necklace her father had given her on her 18th birthday, while her mother wrapped her arms around her and glared at Ywain from behind the guards. The necklace had belonged to King Lot's deceased mother, one of the few objects of known sentiment he possessed. Morgan could recall him giving it to her in secret that morning, herself, and Lord Dura the only other people there when he did. He had told their daughter to keep busy that day, but she recalled how his eyes seemed to change when Teneu beamed at him. Cold and emotionless he may have been for much of their union, but Morgan truly believed he did care for them, and at that moment, she believed she had been right, and had been elated and carefree the rest of that day. Now she cursed herself. How, how could she not have been there? How could she have let herself get distracted and not protect her oldest child?!

She had known for a few years of Ywain's growing love for Teneu, 1 time he had told her, and not her husband, in person of it. He had later sent a letter to King Lot requesting to marry her and had declared to both his uncle and aunt about his feelings, begging for a chance to have his oldest cousin as his wife. Lot had denied him, citing it not being advantageous or necessary, and while Morgan had sympathy for his defeated reaction, she did not deny she was not against her husband's choice of not giving Teneu to Ywain, on the basis that she found such matrimony… unnatural, to say the least. She later told their daughter of this in private, and Teneu had agreed with her father. Ywain was dear to her, but never in that sense.

"I had been asleep… I did not know… I'm sorry…" Teneu sobbed, Morgan hugging her tenderly and gently whispered to her child that it had not been her fault. She was not responsible for Ywain's actions, and Morgan refused to allow her daughter to blame herself. Despite the gentleness in her voice and embrace, Morgan's glare was furious, wanting to castrate her nephew for hurting her daughter and justifying it as love. Hearing her cries, Ywain seemed to wince for a moment, as though sense was trying to make him realize what he had done, but he then shook his head, and carried on with his self-delusion.

Lot's face was not noticeable to his wife or daughter, facing towards his nephew and his back to them. However, as he closed the distance slowly between himself and Ywain, one step at a time, Morgan could not help but smile at the fear and horror she saw in her disgusting nephew's eyes and face, quivering slightly before his uncle, before hearing something that shook her soul.

"GRRRAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUGHHH!" Lot roared like a wild animal, one that struck everyone who heard it with its depth and power, so strong one would think the ground would crack! Morgan's smile faded as her eyes widened, she had never heard her husband raise his voice, not once in his life, and held their daughter tightly as Teneu quivered at the manifestation of her father's rage. Even Dura and the guards were taken aback, while Ywain looked as if he had borne witness to the physical embodiment of death… before death then came for him.

Moving faster than his nephew could react, Lot grabbed Ywain's head and stuck his thumb right into the rapist's left eye to tear it out, blood leaking out as Ywain screamed, before Lot then threw Ywain to the ground with a powerful thud. As Ywain struggled to try and unsheathe his sword, Lot came upon him, his foot atop his nephew's hand, his fist upon his head. Lot roared like a demon as he gouged out the right eye with one hand, the other one ripping out an ear, taking it and the 2 eyes and stuffing it in his nephew's mouth, ripping out the other ear as well and stuffing it in. He then physically forced his nephew to chew his own body parts to quiet the rapist's screaming, snarling like and animal as he did so. Bringing his fists up, he smashed them into his nephew's face, blood and fractures dripping and marring the features that had left so many women swooning, now smashed, and broken. As his nephew gasped and choked in agony, Lot moved his foot off Ywain's arm holding his sword and pressed it on his chest, before then grabbing said arm and lifting it up as he kept Ywain down.

"RRRRAAAAAAUUUUUUGGGHHH!" Lot roared as he ripped the arm out of its socket, armor tearing as well as flung the dismembered limb behind him, blood, skin, and bone flying, Morgan and Teneu ducking as the arm almost hit them, Lot paying no notice as he continued his rampage. He proceeded to tear off Ywain's remaining arm and tossed it aside as well. Teneu choked and teared up, holding the necklace to her mouth, an agonized expression on her face as she shook violently at all that was happening, Morgan holding her tenderly as she glared at the carnage and brutality, a strange expression on her face.

"Beat him… break him…" Morgan whispered, her breath accelerating as her own face grew angrier, "Crush him… kill him." She did not notice Teneu's eyes turn to stare at her mother with quiet horror, her own gaze focused on the animalistic display in front of her. A smile slowly came to her face one more time. This… this was what Ywain deserved… for what he did to their daughter… this was justice. And Lot must have felt the same way… why else would he be in such a state of pure rage?! To act in a manner like this… he did love them… loved her and their children! She had been right! This confirmation in her eyes made Morgan smile even wider as she saw her husband tear off Ywain's armor, and she then shouted, "TEAR HIM APART! KILL HIM FOR WHAT HE DID HER!" Her eyes were gleaming as she saw Lot bring out a knife from his boot and stab it into Ywain's chest, cutting him up, "YES, KILL HIM! KILL HIM!"

Lot tore apart Ywain's upper body, ripping out and crushing rips, crushing his heart, there would be little left of his nephew's body to put back together at this rate. Morgan did not care as she had the guards move aside, glowering at the unmoving corpse of her nephew, someone she had almost come to care for as much as her own sons at one point. Part of her wished she were the one killing him, breaking apart the body in such a manner. The thought was so enchanting, she did not sense who was rushing forward from behind her until it was too late.

"FATHER STOP! HE IS DEAD NOW!" Teneu cried as she raced forward, passed her mother, and grabbed her father's right arm that was holding the now bloody knife. "HE IS JUST A CORPSE NOW, PLEASE MY FATHER!" Still in a blood rage though, Lot was only able to sense the presence of another, not who it was… and slashed out at his daughter…cutting her face with the knife coated in Ywain's blood, his left bloody fist then rising and punching his daughter in the chest, knocking the wind out of her as he shoved her down to the ground, said fist pressing her there.

Horror awakened Morgan's sanity, and she cried out a spell Merlin had taught her a year ago in secret, "VAASUNA DIMENTION!" A blue glyph appeared around her hand as a larger one manifested around her husband, pulling him off his daughter as he snarled like an animal. Morgan ran to their daughter's side and brought her into her arms, "Teneu, sweetheart, please, do not move!" Morgan gasped as she examined the wound on her daughter's face. The wound when from the left side of her daughter's chin up diagonally through the lips and nose and had almost slashed off her right eye!

"Mother…" Teneu said painfully, shuddering in pain and terror.

"Shhhh…" Morgan said gently, "I can heal you." She closed her eyes and placed a hand on Teneu's cheek before softly whispering, "Vweltro mingte viyu moor, aryen ier viyu cendiluar moor. Ivyren nemyader falchyun moor, aldeth bantyo girehni moor. Vweltro mingte viyu moor…" She kissed her daughter's forehead as the wound close, and she then tenderly wiped the blood off Teneu's face, "Do not fret my child, you will be fine now." Teneu shook painfully, holding her mother's hand tightly.

"Will you release our King now?" Lord Dura said coldly, which Morgan obeyed, releasing King Lot from the red glyph binding him, as it seemed as though he had calmed down from his blood frenzy, or was at least not snarling like a rabid dog. "My liege, are you alright?" He asked, concerned, leaving Morgan a bit annoyed, Teneu was the one suffering right now.

Lot did not respond, simply eyeing his wife and daughter with a cold expression, showing neither any anger nor any love, the only noise being the light drop of blood that fell from his sticky fists and knife, coated with Ywain's blood. Morgan gently held Teneu and helped her stand up, the girl quivering with shock and horror. Lot had his eyes on his daughter, or rather, her chest which was now stained with her cousin's blood. The white dress Teneu had been wearing was now stained red at the front from where he had punched her in rage, red on her chest… and on the necklace.

Teneu lowered her head before her father, "I… I am sorry… I could not… he had put me to sleep…" She began to cry once more as Morgan consoled her. "Now he's… now he's dead…"

"It isn't your fault dear child, none of this is." Morgan looked to her husband with a somewhat hopeful expression, "Right, my lord?" She waited for a moment before growing a tad worried. "My lord?" She asked again, and once again received no response. It was like her husband could not here her. "My liege, tell our daughter that she will be alright!" Morgan begged, but it seemed like her presence was not even noticed by him, as he then walked forward towards, her hand tightening within her daughter's.

Lot did not stop until he and Teneu were mere inches apart, his cold stare unchanging, only his eyes raised to stare at Teneu's. His daughter calmed her breathing as she looked back, as they looked at each other for several moments. "Father, are you alright?" Teneu said and seemed to reach forward with her free hand tentatively, concerned for the man, as she tried to reach for his bloody one. At that moment though, Lot caught her hand in a vice grip with his bloody hand, wrenching her out of her mother's and throwing her towards the edge of the cliff.

"AAAUUUGGHH!" Teneu cried out as she hit the ground, dazed, and shocked, fear drenching her as she heard her father's footsteps, "Father, what are you-" She was stopped as Lot grabbed her hand again and pulled her up before dragging her closer to the cliffside.

Morgan raced after them, "MY LIEGE, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" She shouted as she tried to cast a spell, "GAAAUUUGHH!" She cried out as hit the ground, Lord Dura holding down her head, "W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

"You will not interfere in the actions of our King. Hold her down!" She heard him shout, and she felt her arms and legs caught, being held to the ground before crying out as something smacked her back down as she tried to get up.

"R-Release me! I am your Queen!" Morgan croaked as Dura kept her down, "T-That is my daughter! Your eldest princess! Stop-" She cried out in pain when Dura slammed the blunt end of his sword into her head.

"FATHER! STOP PLEASE! I-I DIDN'T KNOW! SOMEONE! PLEASE! FATHER PLEASE STOP!" Teneu cried out as she pathetically tried to pull herself out of King Lot's grip, but there was nothing she could do as they neared the edge of the cliff, "MOTHER, HELP! HELP ME!"

Morgan's eyes widened, "GGAAAAAAUUUUUGGHHH!" She roared, her powers flaring by pure instincts, and Dura and the guards were thrown back several yards, one of them eve n tumbling off the cliff. Morgan did not care, her body racing after her husband. What was he doing… he would not…?!

"FATHER!" Teneu cried as Morgan eyes widened the shock stopping her in her tracks, failing to comprehend what she was seeing. Without saying a single word, Lot tossed his eldest child off the cliff, Teneu crying for help until Morgan heard a thud, and something cracked within her.

"NNNNOOOOOOO!" Morgan raced to the very edge and looked down, trying desperately to see where her daughter was! There was nothing on the rocks, the river was moving too fast, was she there?! "WHERE IS SHE?! WHERE IS SHE?!"

"She is dead now." Lot told her bluntly, and Morgan could not understand a single word, unable to even process it. "Without her purity no man would take her, there would be nothing of value in their eyes. Her spawn would be unaccepted, and Urien would likely demand retribution for his heir's death." There was no emotion in his voice, "She had no more reason to remain living." Morgan did not even answer, her mind was lost, unable to even comprehend. What had happened… what was even going…?

Morgan did not here her husband unsheathe his sword, but she did here the clang that came next, and a sword then fly over the cliff as well, "The next time you try that again Dura, I may need to come back here with you on another date." Lot said as he stood between his wife and the man, he had made his heir, his cold expression unchanging even towards his most trusted right hand.

"A student of that wizard cannot be trusted! She is too dangerous to remain, she killed on of our men with one mere attack!" Dura began but quieted in a moment as Lot stepped forward.

"Then perhaps the rest may care to join him." Lot stated, "Leave her be. Tell the 2 who are alive that they may shrivel and rive on this cliff or help us return to the castle." As Dura obeyed his liege's orders, Lot said coldly, "Rise Morgan, we have no reason to remain here." When his lost wife did not respond, he signaled for his guards to help her up, before departing back to his castle…

…

…

Guiomar was shocked, "He… he killed her? Just like that?!" Guinevere could not have been any older right now than Teneu was back then. "But… Gawain told us…"

"They don't know." Morgan whispered to Guiomar, shaking her head, "They can never know. When we returned to the castle, I lied to them and said that Ywain tossed her off the cliff, and that their father killed him afterward. They… they must never know the truth."

"What… why?!" Guiomar asked her. King Lot had killed his own daughter and walked across the land without penalty! Why was Queen Morgan protecting such a man from justice?!"

"What was I supposed to tell them?!" She began to cry, "T-That their father… killed their sister? How would they have reacted?" Morgan looked directly at Guiomar, "How would you react, if Guinevere suffered that, and Leodegan killed her? What would you do?"

The choice came instantly, he would kill him. And the moment he thought that he began to realize the depth of Morgan's dilemma. If anyone tried to hurt his cousin, he would respond with force, but against his uncle, the King of Cameliard… well, Guiomar realized he would still respond like that, he would never have been able to forgive. But if he did do the deed and killed his uncle, along with anyone in his way, what then. If he would rule, who would then support him? If he did so by subterfuge and manipulation, neither of which he was skilled in, who would he then trust. No matter how much he would have believed that it was the right thing to do, how ready was he for what would come about?

Morgan nodded at his expression, "Now you understand," She sobbed quietly, "I had no choice, I needed to lie to them and bring some sense of peace to their minds. It is better that than the truth that may destroy them. That is why I need to take them all here, and away from there. There is no future in Orkney, no future… with him. I cannot let him take any large influence in them. Here… in Camelot… they can be free." Quivering in pain, she covered her face with her hands and broke down in tears, Guiomar wrapping his arms around her, holding her in an embrace, "This is my home… this is my home… and I cannot stay… Orkney has only nightmares… and I'm afraid, of what I may do to him…" She cried quietly in his arms.

"I-I promise my lady. Your secret, it will remain with me. Until you wish to share it, I will respect your wish, though I only wish to help you in some way." He stopped talking as Morgan embrace him, her head in his neck now as he felt her smooth skin and wet tears, her lovely hair making him shiver.

She rose her face to look at him with red cheeks and teary eyes, touching his nose and forehead with her own, "Thank you so much." They spent a few minutes in each other's arms, just enjoying the moment, "I-I have never known love… not real passion one would say… with him, it was only about securing an heir, as well as reserves in case things went wrong." For such a lovely and charming woman, Guiomar held back laughing at Morgan's attempt, but the nervous and shy way she said it made it adorable. Tentatively, he captured her lips with his own, and found himself gently pushing this enchanting beauty to lie down, a smile on both their faces…

…

Morgan heard voices, not of the usual kind… people were talking, frantically… and she felt herself lying on… another body? She opened her eyes groggily and realized after a moment that she was wearing nothing, as was the man whose arms she was in, her figure on his own, a blanket to cover them. As recollection of what happened returned to her, she realized with horror that they were no longer the only ones in this room.

"My cousin… Lady Morgan… What have you done?!" The newly christened Queen Guinevere cried as she stared at them both, 2 guards with her. Blood drained from Morgan's face, and she felt as though she was standing on top of glass about to shatter.

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Chapter 34: A Quiet Before the Wail

A new day came, and with it, came more work to do, and even more things to cause problems for everyone. Disorder was brewing in the eastern district of the Kingdom of Camelot. The roots of the Seyfert were not just spread across the floating British Isles, the thickest ones were in Camelot itself. With the next phase for rebuilding the Seyfert was approaching them, Oberon had informed them that the roots would grow larger and thicker as time went by. Titania was having faeries even the roads throughout the Kingdom, forcing the roots to drive deeper into the ground, it was still a slow process. For the commoners and townsfolk, that meant that the roads were bumpy and uneven, the large amount of people congesting the areas at certain points did not help matters. While they had calmed down after some time, the addition of more people ever since Queen Titania's return with the refugees sometime prior meant that things had fallen to a period of instability yet again, and time to heal things was going slowly.

Being that many people were now of distant lands, and fighting was inevitable. Whether they be foreigners arriving from Gaul, those of Scotland, or of Orkney, they had different views and ways of going about. You would imagine the knights would try to ban together, but their loyalties to different kings in the past and their different ways of performing their duties ultimately made things worse. That is what Mordred and Gawain realized as they followed the knight by horseback, half a dozen faeries with them as well, traveling to the eastern district. Bedivere was currently busy assisting in easing any remaining problems in the northern district while Kay and Archemais helped King Angusel at the palace.

"Complete madness I tell you! He was slaughtering them left and right over nothing! And when we tried to stop him, he and his men turned their blades on us!" The knight ranted, a gash over his right cheek that he had gained from the fight, "Ribran told me to leave while he held back one of his brutes." As they kept pace, they heard people shouting in the distance, growing a bit louder as time passed.

Mordred held Clarent tightly in the sheathe, "I'll kill the bloodthirsty fool myself if need be. A good time to have our blades ready, right Gawain!" Mordred shouted, pausing when 'he' got no response, "Gawain, have you gone deaf in the ear or something?!" The child of 'King Arthur' called to 'his' older brother.

Gawain shook his head, "No, I hear you well!" He shouted back, "Mind is just thinking somewhere else, that is all." Thinking about a person he had hoped to never see ever again in his life, but when he thought about it, rarely did things ever go as he hoped. "Let us handle this as best as can be." Well, let him handle this familiar face as best as he could be, but he need not tell Mordred about that. There were some things in life on just could not escape from, he supposed.

As they made their way through the crowded streets, they eventually reached the heart of the shouting of people and the clashing of weapons. Peasants were crying out as he saw a homeless woman hold her children in fear, men throwing stones, only to be attacked by knights in armor. Some were simply trying to avoid the carnage but were unable to defend themselves. Mordred cursed as she saw the bodies on the ground, some laying atop of large roots bulging up on the streets. Several knights were wounded or dead themselves, panic and chaos spreading among the people.

Unsheathing Clarent, red lightning flashed from the blade, catching everyone's attention as they approached the center of this mayhem. "Enough! Who is responsible for this?!" Mordred called out as their steeds stopped over the corpses of peasants, "As the one chosen by King Arthur to watch over and keep order in Camelot in his stead, I command you reveal yourself!"

The knights not of Camelot stood in front of her, before a voice called out, "Stand aside." They spread to the side as a man walked over, and Gawain clenched his fist. The blade of this man was red with blood, the red staining his armor and face a bit, but he showed no sign of injury, meaning these wounds had been from those who had stood in his way.

"Dura, what is the meaning of this?!" Mordred barked, not even bothering to bestow upon the man any title or acknowledgement of his old status as ruler of Orkney. If the man was insulted, he showed no sign of it, seemingly more interested in wiping the blood off his armor.

"King Arthur had informed me to keep watch and patrol the eastern district, as you already know, since you were there." Dura replied coldly, much like King Lot would if asked as such, Gawain noted. "An example had to be made, and weeds to be uprooted." The man said. Turning to kick over a corpse to reveal the one lying beneath it, he pointed at the now bloody and dirty bread in the dead man's hand. "This fool, along with others, was guilty of stealing food from his neighbor and foods that were handed around. As such, he was slaughtered to provide a lesson on proper behavior in this situation."

"A lesson?! Our food was stolen by others, and he was just trying to take back some bread to give to our daughter! How is there any lesson to gain from killing him?!" One of the women in the crowd wailed, causing a stirring in the crowd that did not stop until Dura pointed his bloody sword in their direction.

"Then those who stole from you know the fate that will befall them if they attempt that again, along with anyone who does so in the future." Dura replied uncaringly, unaffected by the shouting in the crowd.

"My son never stole anything! You pulled him out of the streets and cut off his head just as you did with so many others!" One man yelled, several men and women shouting the same things about the bodies of their wives, husbands, and children that now lay in pools of blood on the ground thanks to the action of Dura.

"I told you, he is completely mad." The knight told Mordred and Gawain, "We tried to stop him, and he just turned his sword and his men on us, even used the peasants as a shield. He is simply mad!" Mordred wanted to strike the man down at that very, but before Clarent could be swung, Excalibur Galatine was unsheathed and its wielder stepped forth and walked to in between Mordred and Dura, an angry expression on his face.

"You… you killed these people for little to nothing… you ended their lives without care… and you expect us to simply let you escape unharmed?!" Gawain roared as the blade lighted up, heat extending outward, sweat beginning to show on the face of those near its presence.

Dura was uncaring, and simply stared at Gawain with the same cold expression as his father had always had when speaking to anyone, "There were too many people alive in this district. It was the root cause of the violence and thievery that kept occurring here and other parts of the kingdom. Once King Arthur returns with more refugees, the amount of people will rise even hider, and the situation will lead to a complete anarchy. Lowering the number of lives was the immediate solution, and so I began." He said quite bluntly, not caring at all how the peasants around stared at him with horror.

Gawain growled, "My King gave you this responsibility to protect the people, not kill them on your own whim! How could you be so callous and ungrateful after my liege extended his help and assisted the people of Orkney in travelling here for safety until the time has arrived?! Without him, you would not even be alive right now!"

Once again, Dura eyed him with an unchanging expression, and as Gawain glared at him in return, he felt his right arm shake slightly against his will. "Tell me, Gawain, do you honestly believe that we are saving all of these people?" Lord Dura said as he stepped forward, "Do you truly believe, that King Arthur, will be able to save all of these people?" He did not stop, until his face was an inch away from Galatine. "When King Arthur informed me of this newfound state of affairs, I was under the impression that he was ready to do all that was required to achieve his end, as were his men." Gawain hesitatingly brought his sword back, and unconsciously took a step back.

He blinked several times… no he was dead! He had to be! But if he was, why was he staring at the visage of a man who heavily resembled Agravain, but older, with a long scar across his face, hair somewhat white? "Or perhaps they are all being pulled along by a delusional fool, only now realizing their place as a puppet to wizard, desperate to try and run away from reality?" The ghost of King Lot said to his oldest son. Gawain started to pant heavily as his sword shook, his breathing growing more rapid as-

"Alright, enough!" Mordred declared as she pushed Gawain aside and glared at Dura from beneath her horned helmet. "You are relieved from your duties in this district. I am reassigning you to watching over the outer walls to provide information of anything foreign that may approach Camelot. You are to inform Lord Vedmyr that he is to return to the castle, where a new position will be assigned to him, and you and your guards are to leave for the outer walls this instant. Is that understood?"

Dura turned his gaze to Mordred and nodded, "It is understood and will be followed through." Wiping the blood off his sword before sheathing it, he signaled his guards to follow his as they left for the outer walls, the crowd giving way out of fear before they grew smaller and smaller.

Mordred looked around her before beckoning to one of the faeries, "Bury the bodies somewhere, we cannot leave them lying about. Heal anyone who is injured" She then kicked at a root that was up to her side, "And can we please do something about these? I know Oberon said the roots would grow larger and thicker, but not even the horses can reach the next street without having to jump over all there. How is anyone supposed to walk here?!" With that, a few of the faeries picked up bodies and flew away, while the rest healed some of the injured commoners and tried to force the roots back into the ground. Waving goodbye to the townsfolk, she turned to Gawain, "Alright, there's little else we can really do here. We may as well head back to the castle and see what Angusel may have for us." Mordred groaned as Gawain remained spaced out, "Oi, Gawain, wake up!" Shaking the eldest son of Morgan, she shook her head as Gawain returned to his senses, "Are you here now? We have to depart." Mordred noted as she helped an old man get to his feet.

Gawain sheathed Excalibur Galatine, "Right, I am aware." Leaving a few knights and faeries to look after the street, Mordred and Gawain rode off back to the castle, the horses leaping and trotting over the roots that jutted from the ground. "We should have better people patrolling the districts. Men like him will only lead to pointless death."

"I hope Father does not blame himself too much." Mordred replied, "We were low on people to patrol the area, and Dura had volunteered. King Arthur will feel guilty." Cursing under her breath, Mordred turned her head to look at Gawain, "You familiar with him by any chance, that man was a real piece of work. It looked as though you saw the undead."

Gawain sighed, "Dura had at one point been our father's right hand in Orkney, and his appointed heir to the throne. You could say that he followed much of the example King Lot left for him." He took a breath or 2, "So yes, it was like speaking to my dead father."

"Sounds like he was a real bastard. I guess he and mother must have gotten along just fine." Mordred spat, Gawain giving no reply. "Are you sure you're alright Gawain, because you seem to be spacing out like Gaheris tends to do when she gets mentioned, and that's not a good thing."

Gawain lowered his eyes a bit, "Mordred, I've been wondering. I think I may be absent from my post for a short time." He didn't need to look to know Mordred was staring at him, "Agravain's right, I've been ignoring Ragnelle for a while even before the Seyfert's almost utter demise. Think it would do me well to see her for a bit, clear my mind of all this for just a moment." He turned his head to look at Mordred, "I know you appointed King Angusel to help in managing the Kingdom, but King Arthur trusted you. If you do not think it wise, or need my aid, I will assist you, you have my word on that."

Mordred thought for a moment before responding, "Let Angusel know once we arrive. After that, you can leave. If we need your help, we'll send messenger to your estate." Gawain nodded in thanks as they neared the castle.

…

Around this time, people would eat lunch, so it was only proper that she prepared a meal for him as well, in case he came. Well, she probably should not, he had not come for breakfast in the morning, so she had decided to give the fruit to a few commoners she saw while outside feeling the air. Of course, given the bulging roots that jutted out of the ground, she should not have been surprised when she ended up tripping and falling, scraping her hands, and ruining the food. It was a shame, the estate he had received from the King was quite respectable due to his loyal and good service, with a clear field and green grass. Now however, the grass had yellowed, while the field was covered in the roots of that tree. The 'Seyfert,' as he had called. Even the house suffered because of it, roots bulging out of the floor here and there, leading her to tidy and move the furniture around a bit to make it seem less filthy.

Now, after she had wrapped her hands with cloth to cover the scratches and blood on her hands, she was preparing lunch. Bread and some meat would be a good choice, and since he was a loyal and powerful knight of the King, she need not ask too desperately if she needed a bit more food. A soup was a good idea, she just needed to make sure it was warm enough. Clumsy she may be, she had never been bad at cooking, he had always loved her food.

'It is not like you have anything else to offer.' She winced at the all too familiar voices, 'You have the face of a tramp, you cannot speak to anyone properly, and you cannot accomplish anything without failing. You cannot even provide him children. He's probably happy that you aren't there to annoy him.' The voices of her parents echoed in her ears as she prepped the vegetables, which she tried hard to ignore. 'His own brother got tired of you after your incessant nagging. All the hard work they do, and you cannot even be bothered to leave them alone, stupid harlot.' It was odd how they had always called her a harlot even though they always demeaned her and said how no man would even look at her, but she had grown to accept that she would never receive anything positive from them.

With everything ready, she placed the ingredients in the pot and watched as it frothed, stirring when needed. As she did so, she sighed. She had never meant to bother Agravain, she was just scared. After what Gawain wrote to her about what happened with that tree, she had not even gotten a letter from him at all. She learned later what he was doing, and she could not deny her fear. She did not want him to end his efforts… she just wanted to know if he was okay, she just did not want him to be hurt. Looking down sadly as the pot broiled, she sighed. She should have used a smaller pot, she doubted he would come today, and she did not like her chances carrying the soup to other people only to trip and burn herself. Well… at least she could not get any uglier.

She did not hear the beating of hooves approaching the estate, nor the sound of footsteps approaching the front door. She did hear, however, the sound of the door opening and closing. Panicking, she looked at herself and the house, dear lord she looked draggy, and the house was still a bit disorganized from the roots! What would he say if he-?

"Hi, Ragnelle, is everything alright?" She froze at the sound of his voice and took a deep breath, tightening the bandages around her hands. Just be calm, and everything will be alright.

She quietly walked to the front of the house and saw him, the door open. His cape was slightly dirty, and he was wearing his armor. He seemed stressed, but his bashful smile and golden mane were impossible to get wrong… it was really him. She took a deep breath, she could do this, "H-Hello my lord, I hope your trials have not burdened you too much." Bowing with respect, she went on, "I've prepared soup if you're hungry, it is almost done."

He nodded, "I could smell it from outside, I think it will be fantastic," he stopped for a moment, "My dear, your chin is bloody. Did you get hurt?" Gawain asked, concerned.

She panicked, touching her chin until she reached the spot just left of it and winced. Must have scraped it when she fell earlier that day, and never noticed, she truly was an idiot. "I-I'm sorry!" Wincing in pain as she then wiped it with a cloth, she left him and went to the kitchen, where the pot was, "Let me check if the soup is done!" She called out as she heard her husband remove his armor. When he was done and in nothing more than a sleeveless brown top and surprisingly well-made leather pants, he made his way by her side while she stirred the pot some more.

She wiped the sweat off her forehead and stated triumphantly, "Finished! Now, let me find the bowls so we-" She stopped when Gawain placed a hand on her shoulder before standing up to get the bowls himself, eventually bringing 2 wooden bowls and utensils for them both. "T-Thank you!" She smiled sweetly and poured some soup for both of them. The 2 ate quietly in their home, Gawain dipping some bread into the soup before eating it, enjoying how the wheat, meat, and broth mixed together to create a delectable concoction, using a spoon to eat the vegetables in the soup. Ragnelle ate as well, but every now and then raised her eyes to look at her husband, wondering if he was alright. Judging from the way he wolfed down the food, she supposed it was up to his standard, and allowed herself a moment of pride in that.

Gawain put the spoon back in the wooden bowl once he was finished, swallowing before he spoke, "You've been making food for the displaced out on the streets for quite a while, so I've heard." He saw her look away as he continued, "While I was on my way here, several of the peasants without homes stated how you gave out food in day and night to them, keeping them from going hungry. They were singing you praises, calling you, 'Ragnelle the Generous.' A fitting title if you ask me."

Ragnelle blushed at the statement and did not meet his gaze, "It was… only food I had prepared in case you ever arrived. I-I did not want it to get bad, so I gave it to whoever I could. I'm sorry." She apologized for no reason, then again, apologizing for no reason had been the only way those who raised her would ever treat her as something slightly greater than horse dung.

"They must have been very well fed then, if this was the quality of food you always prepared, they have every right to feel grateful for it." He extended his hand forward, placing it gently on 1 of hers, "I'm sorry. I've been neglectful to you, staying away for so long."

She shook her head, "The king depends on you, your siblings, and the rest of the knights, especially since things are so trying. You risk your life out there trying to save others, how could you possibly need to apologize for that?" She looked down at her own bowl that still had some soup in it. "I-I am the 1 who should apologize, especially to Sir Agravain. I did not mean to pester him-"

"Enough." Gawain said as he held her hand firmly in his, "You have the right to be worried about me, to know if I am alright, especially since I've had multiple chances to visit you in between commands given to me by my liege and Mordred yet chose not to. That is on me." He grew concerned as he saw her wincing, "My dear, are you hurt?" He realized it started from when he had held her hand and looked at the bandages wrapped around it, cursing as he saw blood.

"I fell down earlier today," She said softly, "Scraped my hands just a bit, and a bit of mine chin, as you noticed before I did." He let go of her hand and grabbed her bowl, "Gawain?" She looked at him, maybe he was still hungry. She stammered when she saw him dip the spoon in the soup and place it in front of her mouth, "W-What?"

"Eat it before it gets cold. After that, I'll clean your wounds." He sighed when he saw her stunned expression, "Don't be difficult, you need to eat. Let me help you like I did that night." He smiled as he had back then, back when he fed her when her arms had been broken, and like then, she blushed. Unlike last time though, Ragnelle did not think that the next day would involve him angrily brandishing his sword at her abusers, threatening to kill them if they ever hurt her again. No, ever since then, Ragnelle's parents never saw fit to hurt her.

"Thank you." She said gently as he fed her, unable to keep herself from smiling between each spoonful. Ragnelle did not know what she had done to deserve him, she knew she was far from his type in women, yet he loved her all the same. She thanked God for bringing them together, she could not imagine where she would be without him.

Once she was done, Gawain unraveled the bandages, and washed her hands in a bucket of cool water that Ragnelle had filled in the morning, cleaning the dirty wounds. "R-Really, they are just small scratches." Her husband shook his head as he saw the 1-inch-deep gash on her right hand.

After drying her hands, Gawain cleaned and dried the wound on her chin, before finding some clean cloth to wrap the wounds on her hand in. Once he had had finished, he looked up to her with a somewhat hopeful expression, "Do they feel better now?" When he saw her tearful smile, he grinned in return, "Good." Holding her face in his hand, he touched foreheads with her, Ragnelle closing her eyes as she drank in this moment, the rare times where she felt at peace with herself.

As she opened her eyes, she grew concerned at the troubled expression on Gawain's face, "Is something troubling you, my love?" She said quietly, the affectionate name only 1 she used for intimate moments.

Gawain looked at her and sighed, "I… I feel as if I am walking through a storm… a storm of time… trying to forge a future in the present… trying to bury the past… and I do not know which will kill me 1st."

…

…

"You promised me…" Morgan said as she gazed at her son from beneath the black veil, blood leaking out of her side, a drop of it touching the grass she stood on. Their surroundings were foggy, but he assumed they were in a forest. He looked away at the injury, shaking his head as he tried to regain his bearings. It had been caused by his spear, which was in his hands, the basilisk-tooth tip slick with blood from where it had pierced her body.

His hands shook, and he took a step backwards. When had things become so terrible between them all? Was it when his older sister had been killed? When his mother thought that for their sake, she had to keep the truth from them? Had she betrayed them out of bitterness… or did she never mean to betray them at all? He was not going to excuse her actions, but he did not know why they were.

"Just tell me the truth!" He shouted, "Why are you doing this?! Is someone forcing you? Is there something we don't know, something you aren't telling us?!" Gaheris tried to run closer to her, but the more he did, the farther she seemed to go, the more distance there was between. "Stop running away and tell me! You don't have to keep secrets anymore!" He shouted to, stretching a hand to reach her, "Tell me what has happened, and we can fix things together!" Throwing the spear aside, he ran forward, "Wait, don't just leave he shouted once again as her figure began to fade into the mist, and he found himself all alone in the woods, the trees forming around him like pillars, which combined with the fog, gave the area an almost maze-like field. Morgan could be anywhere right now. "GRAUGH!" Gaheris shouted as he punched the ground in anger. Why, why did she keep like this? Even if she was truly against them, this did not make sense, not to him at least.

"You promised me… remember?" He heard her voice echo, "You promised me you would be a good and loyal Knight of the Round… serve by your brothers and protect your sister… you gave me your word…" Gaheris lowered his head. He had kept that promise for years, he had done as what her last request to him back then had been. So why was he still so, discontent? Was it because it was the last thing, she had told him before she eventually lost her way, or because… no that was not it, why did he think that? "I've betrayed you… I'm a danger to all of you… as a Knight of the Round… you have to kill me…"

"But why though?" He asked, not able to understand it. If she were truly a danger to them, why had she allowed him to stab her back then when he knew she could have defended herself, why did she look so broken in her eyes? What did she mean when she had spoken to Guinevere that night, as the Queen had told them, and why did nothing seem to make sense?! He just wanted answers, the truth, that was it.

"Please, do not let me down Gaheris… Gaheris… Gaheris…Gahe-"

…

"Gaheris, oi, wake up!" He groaned as her heard a female voice yell his name while feeling someone shake him. Blinking several times before vision ended up returning to something approaching normal, he was not sure since everything still had a bit of a yellow tint. Groaning as he tried to stand up, he took the hand of the faerie, and slowly balanced himself. Taking a moment to look at her, he surmised that she was the green-haired faerie due to its green color. "Seems like you're the 1st of your lot to finally get up, so congratulations!" She cheered while he winced at the faerie raising her voice. Why did everything feel so sensitive? "Your name is Gaheris, am I right?" She asked him, to which he nodded, "I am Lucrecia, a comrade of commander Vendru, the last of the 5 highest ranking warriors for King Oberon and Queen Titania."

Right, he remembered, the strongest one had been a blonde one called… Telaria… he was pretty sure that was her name. Hard to forget her considering Gawain had challenged her in defense of their King's honor when the faerie had stated that King Arthur was an ant before her own rulers… and had in fact been defeated by her quite handily… though she did cheekily congratulate him on putting up a fight. Really, the only commander that had not been an asshole to them was Lodur, the flame master, and he did not seem to enjoy speaking to others, at least that was what Gaheris seemed to think.

Managing a smile, he shook her hand, "I-It is good to meet you… but I should ask, what happened?" The last thing he could recall… well… it had been holding on to the sack for dear life as he zoomed through the air, screaming for a while, as well as trying to move his head to not get the wind blasted in his face, which happened twice. Gaheris guessed he fell unconscious some time around the point when the bag was slowing down, and everything after that was a mystery. "Where is my brother and our comrades?"

Lucrecia pointed him over to where the rocks and trees were, and Gaheris got a better grasp on their surroundings. They were in a small clearing between a forest and a mountain, with rocks and trees interspersed here and there, a small stream close to them as well. Agravain was lying down on his back by a rock, arms spread out while one of the male faeries watched him. Palomides was unconscious, sitting up by a tree with something dribbling out of his mouth, his left leg covered in faerie dust, applied by the cherubic looking faerie. Bors and Segwarides were lying by some rocks, both unconscious while faeries watched over them, Gaheris recognizing the brown-haired one, the leader Vendru.

"You all fell unconscious by the end of the trip here, and have been so since yesterday, and you're the 1st one awake." She handed him his spear, which he then used to help him walk as he slowly readjusted from the insane ride from Camelot. Together, they walked towards where Agravain was lying down, Lucrecia waving at her red-haired comrade, "So, any luck getting him up?"

He shook his head, "I've tried yelling at him, shaking him, beating him, and tickling his neck, not even a hint of awakening."

Gaheris laughed, "That's because you went about it the wrong way, leave this for me." Readying his spear, he lightly touched the tip, "Now this is a basilisk fang, so one scratch, and the poison can kill you in less than a minute. Do not bother me, or disturb my focus, understood." When they nodded, he took a deep breath, firmly held his spear in his hands, and got on his knees. This would take a large amount of control and delicacy. With the basilisk tip forward, Gaheris slowly moved his spear up Agravain's body until it approached his nose, now coming the hard part. Carefully, he moved the spear closer and closer until it reached his brother's right nostril, the tip just barely inside. Slowly, he tickled the inside of his brother's nose, being careful not to scratch him as he saw his brother twitch in response. Bringing the tip out, he then carefully moved it to Agravain's left nostril and did the same thing, moving it in just a little bit more than before to get more of a reaction.

The moment he started; however, an arm quickly rose, grabbed his spear, pulled it out of his nostril, yanked it out of his brother's arms, and tossed it away from himself. Annoyed, Agravain sat up and glared at Gaheris, "Even now you insist on doing that?" His brother shrugged and went to get his spear before offering Agravain a hand. Accepting it, he slowly got up and shook for a moment before righting himself. "This is the last time I ever travel by air." The 2 walked over to where Palomides was sitting, and Agravain muttered, "What in hell happened to his leg?"

The cherubic looking faerie started to rant, "When we caught your sorry lot and saved you from falling to your deaths once the venti had brought us here, this bloke vomited all over my face. Since I could not carry him and clean my face, I had to drop him so I could dive into the river. Lucky for him he only broke his leg." He got uncomfortable when Agravain and Gaheris glared at him, "What, I put faerie dust on his leg, it will just need a bit of time to heal. I have more just in case we need it."

Agravain looked at Palomides for a moment before grinning, "Good, we will need it." He said as he unsheathed his sword, Gaheris staring at him with a confused expression before sighing and looked at the forest before he saw something that caught his eye and went after it. Agravain did not pay attention as he trailed a hand along the blade and chuckled, "Try not to scream too loudly Palomides." Holding the cutting end with his hands, Agravain brought down the pommel of his sword hard on his ally's leg, almost able to see as the nerves sent the messages of pain to the brain, causing Palomides's face to erupt in pain.

"AAUUUGH!" Palomides cried out as he woke up, breathing heavily as he collected himself. Recalling himself throwing up in the face of a faerie before falling on his leg, Palomides looked at his leg, which now felt like molten lava, before raising his head to see Agravain wiping off the pommel of his sword and put 2-and-2 together. "Why would you do that?" He complained as the cherubic faerie applied more faerie dust on his leg.

Agravain shrugged, "Had no other way to wake you up." He lied, he just found it fun in the moment. Making his way towards where Bors was slowly waking up while Segwarides was still knocked out. "Well, this will be a problem. Segwarides can only wake up on his own time, trying to force him to awake is like trying to awaken a dead horse. Unless anyone happened to have any food, I ponder how long it may take to awake him."

"Well ahead of you brother!" Agravain turned his head to see Gaheris dragging the carcass of a deer while holding a bloody knife in the other hand, "I spotted breakfast and decided to provide our friend some needed motivation."

…

"Mmmmh… that smells good.' Segwarides's mouth watered as he smelled what could only be deer meet, the next best thing after chicken and goat. Opening his mouth, he reached up to grab it, only to feel it pull away at the last moment. Frowning, he tried again, 'Stupid deer, get back here. You'll be my food right now!' With that he growled and lunged his head towards the smell, sinking his teeth in it. As he tore off some meat with his teeth, the sensation made him open his eyes, and he looked around to see his comrades and the faeries eating beside him, the deer meat in the hands his brother, whose leg was in a splint, as well as covered in faerie dust. Finishing the meat with his mouth, Segwarides took the stick of meat from his brother before speaking to the whole group, "Excellent work on getting food, but I must ask, why is my brother weak in 1 leg?" After listening to the story from Vendru, he sighed, "Well I guess I need help my brother until he can stand again on his own 2 feet. Some things never change I suppose." As he took another bite from the deer stick, he thought for a moment before speaking, "However, I was under the impression that the sacks were meant to transport us to Glasgow? Where exactly is here?"

Vendru was ready with an answer, "Glasgow should be a little further across that river. When we are done, we will make our way there, and see what can be found." When that time did come, the faeries flew them over the river to save time, and eventually, they found themselves in the city of Glasgow… or at least, they assumed it was. "Huh, I suppose I was expecting a bit more, perhaps my Queen was right to ignore it." Vendru noted as they surveyed the damaged city. Large stretches of trees marked the land, several of them burned and hollow, with houses that seemed somewhat run down or deserted. The larger buildings seemed to have been destroyed by something, possibly a Chimera or 2, and they could not see any people as they explored, the only place of any respect still standing would be the church that seemed to be in the distance. "I heard this city grew well for one found in the last 10 years, but it seems like it is on its last legs. I fear we may not find anything here.

Sir Bors shook his head, "Saint Serf was no mere ordinary man, he paid for the construction of much in this land and Strathearn due to slaying a dragon that was roaming the land. A great man such as him would not have died so easily. Your Queen chose not to check on Glasgow when we were aiding King Angusel, and I obeyed. I'll not ask for forgiveness in the eyes of God if I were to ignore a chance to save the good once again."

'Well, at least there are positive aspects to his strong religious views,' Gaheris pondered before they all heard what sounded like roaring, hissing, and blaring somewhere that must not have been too far from where they were now. "Whatever the case, I suggest we search quickly." And search quickly they did, as the group explored the city.

…

…

Well, after the battle with the giant wyrm and its young the day before, they had all spent time preparing for the journey ahead, reassembling their forces, and leaving the dead behind them. About 2 dozen and a ½ of the soldiers and 4 mages had been killed, as well as a few others that needed to be paid respects. For Malphas's party, that meant burying and saying their prayers to Tommen, Erik, and Isaac, all 3 of them having been killed by the wyrmlings. Tommen had lost his head, Erik had died of poison, and Isaac had gotten his neck bitten while trying to stab on of them, by the time they had reached him, it had been too late. Finding a few stones to bury them by, Lady Morgan used her magic to dig out the ground for them to be buried, with Christan and Olved placing the bodies in the ground. Once Morgan was done covering them with the dirt, Malphas, Varyn, and Arawn marked their burials by stabbing the sword of each fallen warrior into the head of each grave. Lena took a hand from both Malphas and Varyn and held them close.

Arawn stared at the bodies of his comrades and muttered, "To be honest, I believed that after we allied with Tiberius, no outside force would be able to threaten us, given how strong his forces are." He chuckled bitterly, "It seems there is no telling what to expect."

Olved looked forward, "We knew the risks when we set out, we cannot turn back now. If their lives are to have meant anything, we must continue forward." It was something he had learned to live with for a while, just how fragile they were. Whenever they entered the battlefield, Olved had no knowledge if it was going to be his last? He figured he would just accept it when it came, to die for his liege was part of his job as a servant of Lahia.

Malphas shook his head, "We just need to survive long enough to destroy the Seyfert, right Lady Morgan."

Morgan Le Fay nodded, "You must try to survive until then, for the path ahead will only be harder to progress, we need every possible ally available. Speaking of which," Morgan turned her gaze behind them, "It seems someone wishes to speak to us." They all turned to see a Roman soldier walking towards them, "Ah yes, he's the one you saved, young Malphas."

It was, he recognized him from the battle yesterday, the man's armor was somewhat dirty, and he did not have a helmet, but still carried a shield and a javelin on his person. He stopped before them and examined the graves behind them, before beckoning for Malphas to follow him, "Come." Looking to his group, Olved and Christan nodded, and so, Malphas followed the man, Arawn, Christan, Lady Morgan, and Olved following him while Varyn and Lena returned to their tent. Following the man, the group was walked through the camp until they reached a larger tent where a war elephant was lying next to. Upon entering, Malphas was surprised to see it was a tent filled with weapons and armor. Shields decorated the sides as swords and javelins adorned various corners. Dark and golden chest plates and armor lay as well, all looking to be in good condition.

"If you are to serve our emperor as a soldier, you will need to the armaments of a Roman soldier." The man said as he searched through the weapons to find something for them. "Unless you plan to remain in that without any weapon?"

Malphas stared down at his armor and winced. Simply put, it was in near shambles, being that it was both layered in dirt, torn in many places, had holed in it from previous fights, and was partially burned from yesterday. And as for his sword… yeah, he never found it after the battle either. A new weapon would be necessary. "Thank you, this is quite generous of you. However, would not say that I am serving him, we are allies in this fight, comrades. We need to work together if are going to win."

"In either case you need to toss aside those rags and wear something more fitting." Malphas and the rest of the group turned to see Lucius Tiberius standing at the entrance of the tent, sword by his side as he came in, "I was on my way to speak to you, witch, when I saw you, all heading this way for some reason, and so I saw fit to follow you." Making his way through the group until he stood before the soldier that brought them here, now kneeling before his emperor, Tiberius spoke, "Albus, what brought you to make the decision to bring them here?"

Albus spoke, "As you said my liege, they need better weaponry to be of any use to your conquest, and the youth saved my life in battle yesterday by spearing a wyrmling, so I thought to repay him in some manner." He pointed at Malphas.

Tiberius nodded, "In that case, let me give assistance, an ally who gives aid deserves to be aided." After a few minutes, the 2 found what they were looking for. "This seems about your size." He handed the javelin to Malphas, "Not too big to be unwieldy, but a good length to fight an opponent, and useful for throwing, tip can pierce through a man's armor and shield, and into flesh. If you are good enough to bring down one of those slithering cretins, this will do you well."

Malphas held the javelin in his hands, turning it a bit, "Personally, I prefer a blade. Only used a spear in that battle was because Olved dropped it, and I got lucky that I managed to strike the beast while copying one of the moves he liked to use on horseback."

"I am quite proud of him in all honesty, 1st attempt and he killed it." Olved said while patting Malphas on the back, "Is there anything else for him, as well as for us?"

"Indeed, there's plenty, and I believe we have your shapes in at least some of these." Tiberius passed around the sets of armor to each Lahian, and they all got dressed in the armor, until they finally found one that fit each of their physiques, with sandals and helmets to fit with each of them.

The red undershirt was under the main armor protecting the body, with Malphas's armor being black in color. The kilts covered part of the top of their legs while the pants covered up until the bottom half of their legs, their arms were bare, save for the wrist guards that protected their arms from injury. Malphas questioned the effectiveness of it, the armor his father gave him protected his whole body and limbs save for openings at the joints. As he put on a helmet, he aired his question, "Are we certain this will keep us safe, seems rather open if I should be honest."

Tiberius sighed, "That is what this will be for." He handed Malphas a large circular shield, "This is what will keep you alive for most of any future battles ahead, the rest will come down to your skill and luck." He glared at Malphas when the youth stared at the shield with a dumbfounded expression, "Are you having any troubles right now?"

"I… I have never used a shield before. I never needed one." Malphas then cried out in pain as a cut instantly formed on his hand and blood came oozing out, all his companions save for Morgan stumped as to how it even formed, the only thing they had felt was a sudden slice in the wind.

Tiberius took his hand off of Florent, which was now back in its sheathe, "Let that be a reason to carry one, it will be the difference between life and death at times." He chuckled as Morgan healed Malphas's hand, grabbing a sheathed blade, he grinned and showed it to Malphas. "This is the sword you'll be using." He unsheathed the weapon before the youth, allowing him to see the weapon. A gladius, the roman short sword, with this one being a tad few inches over 2 feet, which made it roughly half the length of Malphas's old sword, which had been 4 and a ½ feet long. Handing it to Malphas, he then groaned as he saw the youth swing it in the air experimentally, as if he were slashing at something. "Use your sense boy, that is a weapon meant for stabbing, not cutting or slashing." He took the gladius out of Malphas's hands before sheathing it and handing it back to him, "From what I can tell, there is a lot of promise and potential in you. Let me see just how much."

…

"Well, at this rate, your chances of survival are about as high as the average soldier. No, actually they're lower." Tiberius commented while Malphas lied down on the ground, dazed and nigh unconscious. When the Emperor and Albus decided to go back with them to their tent, Tiberius chose to have a sparring session with Malphas to check how he may fare with his new weaponry, and the results were less than positive. The rest of the party watched and cringed as the prince was thoroughly trounced, meanwhile Varyn was struggling to put on the armor they had brought for him. "You were holding your shield wrong, I got through your guard dozens of times, you keep swinging your blade like you're trying to cut me in 2, your footing is terrible, and now you're lying down while your shield is on top of you like that. I was barely even attempting to fight you. You'd be killed in a real battle in seconds!"

There was also the fact that Malphas had almost a dozen wounds on his arms, legs, and some on his neck, courtesy of Florent, and how he was likely to suffer a concussion due to Lucius slamming the blunt end of his sword in between his eyes, but Tiberius did not care. "I know you said you never used a shield, but how could you have been neglected other forms of combat besides swinging a blade when you're now an adult." He scoffed as Lady Morgan, Sir Arawn, and Lena rushed to Malphas's side, "Matters not I suppose, whether you live or die for me. Lady Morgan, once you are done patching him up, you are to come with me, we have things to discuss. Albus, inform Centurion Cassius to have him and his band trained in how to fight as a part of the legion during our travels, and since you feel like helping to pay a debt, you may give aid yourself. I need to know how useful they'll be on the battlefield as part of my army."

Albus bowed in respect while more than a few glared at him, but as for Lena, "We are your allies and friends in this fight, Lucius Tiberius, not your tools to be used and abused at your leisure!" She shouted, startling the entire group at her daring. Tiberius lost his smirk and looked at her coldly. Some common girl was speaking to him as an equal… him?! Lucius wondered if she would like a wound on her breast for that little insult. "What, does it hurt to know that your power alone isn't enough to win the hearts of others?" Varyn and the other knights stared at her in horror while Albus glared at her for her insolence.

"Lena, enough!" Morgan said with a commanding tone once she had finished healing Malphas, the girl staring at the mage's shrouded face with a distraught face, "You should know your place before speaking to others." She then stood up and walked towards Lucius Tiberius, "Now, I believe you wished to speak to me, Emperor Tiberius. Let us go somewhere a bit quieter than here."

Malphas watched as Tiberius and Lady Morgan left for somewhere in the heart of the camp, before turning his head to Lena, "Thank you for standing up for us Lena, but I must know, is something bothering you, personally I mean?" He guessed it was because of her past as a Roman servant, but he wanted to know for sure.

Lena sighed, "Wondering when it is we lose our way, Prince Malphas." She shook her head, "But enough of that, are you able to stand up?" She asked as she helped Malphas to his feet.

Meanwhile, as they walked to his tent, Lucius Tiberius chuckled, "How comedic, and to think Rosa and I believed she had a certain liking to me. If so, she'll need to learn proper respect before gaining my favor." He smirked as he heard Morgan chuckle, "Funny isn't it. Not as funny as what I will have to tell Rosa about that young man. A pity for him really, she found him rather adorable to be honest, but now she'll have to learn what an inexperienced child he is, what a letdown." He then thought for a moment, "Although, that might just make her want to mentor him herself. She prefers both experienced and inexperienced."

At that moment, Morgan was silent before she whispered coldly, "Tell your dear Rosa that she'll lay no hand on Malphas, unless she wishes to do battle with me and be defeated." She showed Tiberius no fear as they continued walking towards his tent, challenging him to test her.

Tiberius smirked, "Well, rather protective over him I see. Motherly affection perhaps, or do you happen to-"

"That is my own child you are talking about!" She spat at him, causing him to raise an eyebrow, "He's a bastard, yes, raised by his father, King Guiomar, and his adopted mother, Queen Julia of Lahia, but he shares my blood, Lucius Tiberius! And more than that, he is only somewhat more than 8 years of age." She watched as his expression went from surprised to also squeamish thinking of the implications. Morgan sighed, "In case it confuses you, when he was an infant, I used my magic to enable him to grow faster than a normal child. I was not in a good state and not ready to raise a child, so I tried to find excuses not to. When I realized my mistake, I was unable to fully correct it, so I weakened the spell and gave him to King Guiomar to be raised. While I cannot claim to be his mother in spirit, having not been there for him all his life, I still have a duty to look after him, especially those who would abuse his naivete which he cannot help but have."

Lucius Tiberius did not respond for a moment before he sighed, "That… that is understandable and respectable. Honestly, now certain things about the youth make more sense knowing that, at least explains why he does not know how to use a shield." He nodded to Morgan Le Fay, "I will inform Rosa about this, worry not. Crave carnality she does, she would never do so from a child, especially after what she went through." He shook his head then, "However, I hope I have not ruined any possible enjoyment you may have for what she and I had planned for you today."

He gave her a sly grin and she scoffed, "Really, that is what was so important you wished to speak to me about?" She honestly expected it after seeing the 2 of them and figured she may need to extend a sexual favor or 2 to gain their goodwill, but to have it happen only a few days into their alliance… well it was surprising.

Tiberius laughed, "No, there are some things we need to discuss in going over our battle plans, but Rosa told me of how excellent you were at defending our forces from that wyrm and its spawn, and as I said, an ally who gives aid deserves to be aided." He wrapped an arm around her, "Besides, as a mage, you need to be able to have your mana ready for any battle ahead. Better to be at bliss with plenty of reservoirs of power, than stressed and lacking." She laughed at him but smiled and leaned into his embrace as they walked forward. Morgan knew she would need to have as much power as she could for future engagements, and she hardly knew when they would come. Besides, it was not like she was being a whore, Merlin slept with multiple women just for pleasure and to keep his powers ready, so this was little different. Who knows, maybe it would give her a brief reprieve and well… it could not be worse than the last… Morgan quickly buried that thought.

When they entered the tent, the brown-haired mage was already waiting for them, turning her face to gaze at the, as she placed a hand on her rather risqué dress, and smiled, "Oh good, you've finally arrived. Kept me waiting for a bit." While she sat on the bed, one hand was stroking the silky blonde hair of another woman who was lying on top of the bed, a faerie, Morgan guessed based on it pointed ears. Now, that would not have bothered Morgan so much, but what did bother her was how the woman seemed to be shivering, as if suffering from some bad nightmare, muttering so quietly Morgan could not make out the words. "Looks like my dear Tiberius and this lovely witch can make our days even grander. Right lovely one?" Rosa cooed gently as she prodded the faerie awake.

Slowly, the faerie shuddered as she slowly came up from her dream and opened her eyes, and Morgan gulped, for the faerie's eyes were… shrouded, it was dim and foggy, like she was not fully aware of where she was. When the faerie turned to look at Rosa above her, a dreamy smile came to her face as she chanted, "Liaria…" She willingly accepted the mage's kiss as Rosa pressed herself on the faerie's bare body, pinning her down.

As Rosa rose her head back up for air with a predatory look, Morgan grew more alarmed, "What is wrong with the faerie?" She tried to cover the frigid uneasiness that was now dripping in her, "She just mentioned the name 'Liaria,' unless that is also-"

"Oh, it's nothing, just the name of an adorable member of her kind that she carries quite the feelings for." Rosa said carelessly, unaware of Morgan's growing inner restlessness. "It took some time before the name came out, she was far more trying back then, but after I realized who it was she desired, she became far more agreeable." She said in a relaxed tone while rubbed the faerie's cheek, the magical creature caught in lustful daze. Tiberius laid his blade to the side and prepared to remove his armor, similarly unbothered as Rosa said, "Now we can see what a bed of 4 can do compared to 2 or 3, so long as his eminence chooses not to leave."

Morgan's hands shook as realization sunk in, but she tried to fight it, "What do you mean, 'became agreeable,' what did you do?"

Rosa looked at her with a confused expression, "What, nothing terrible. She just believes it is her Liaria that she lays with when the time comes, and so she is much happier in bed than she was before. Better than when she used to struggle and make relaxation such a chore."

Morgan blinked multiple times, "Why… why would you do that…?" She stumbled back for a moment, as if dazed for a moment. "W-Why?" Something began to swirl in her as memories she could not push back took over her mind. Something inside of her was beginning to creak, as if some seal was being slowly damaged and was near the breaking point.

Rosa scoffed while Tiberius seemed somewhat worried at Morgan Le Fay's reactions, "What is the problem, I'm not hurting her. I just needed the little pet to stop resisting so much, especially when I was just trying to bring her happiness." She traced a hand along the brainwashed faerie's cheek and neck, looking down at her with a lustful triumph, "Such a good feeling, being the one to give people the greatest pleasure in their life-" Her lustful arrogance was cut short as she felt something… intense… radiating in the tent, her eyes widening as they turned to Morgan Le Fay, a strange breeze suddenly streaming from her.

"Y-You… You…" Morgan muttered as the marks on her body glowed dark purple as a dark aura formed around her form. She began to shake violently her veil flying upwards, revealing a face of absolute agony as she grabbed her head. No, not this, how could… how could… no way to… could… could not forgive… There was no escape, no escape at all…

"NO FORGIVENESS! NO REDEMPTION!" She shouted as Tiberius quickly grabbed the sheathed Florent while Rosa quickly tried to cast a spell, but they did not act swift enough. Morgan stared upwards violently and felt the force rip right out of her.

"GGGRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUGGGGGHHHHHH!"

…

…

At that moment, the floating British Isles shook as a dark purple beam of light shot into the sky, parallel to the light of Rhongomyniad… and as this beam of dark magic touched the heavens above, the sky darkened and churned in great horror, the wail of an agonized soul.

---

Yeah, this was a heavier chapter than usual, and trust me, the road to hell only continues. Next chapter will be more focused and shorter however, so with any luck, it'll be easier to finish. Also, let me get a few things out of the way once more:

1) I am not letting the actual Lostbelt 6 influence mine, I'd already decided the story last year, and its too late to change it. which means no Fae Knights (I may use them for another story though, or a sequel, have a few ideas).

2) For the sake of a bit of humor, I'll add some omakes here and there, comparing differences between my version of events and canon's, specifically with Morgan Le Fay and King Oberon. In the case of the latter, there's a lot of humor I have planned.

Thank you all for your patience, I'll have the next chapter done as soon as I can. Until then, this has been the Venomous Blade, and I hope you have an amazing day. By guys :)