22 hours ago...

Matthew had to hurry. He quickens his pace, breaking into a fast power walk. His soft boots muffling the sound of his steps, and his dark clothes —out of his work robes for the night— aid to hide his form as he hurries down through the moonlit streets.

If his calculations are correct, Gilbert and the patrol will be arriving with the knight any moment now. But he has to be careful and make sure he isn't seen. Something that is a lot easier for him than most, as he has access to both Gil's knowledge and mapped out patrols of the guards through the lower town.

It doesn't take him long to get there, but just as he's about to reach the Northern Gate, he's stopped in his tracks.

"Halt!"

The call comes from behind him and he stops, glancing round to see a guard that should have moved on by now, coming out of one of the buildings he just passed.

"State your business here." He demands, holding up a torch to light the darkened street.

And Matt sighs, he doesn't have time for this.

Turning, he smiles gently as he lowers his hood, revealing himself to the guard.

"Oh, Master Williams." The guard blinks upon recognising him, "What are you doing down here so late at night."

Matt keeps his smile gentle, even as he notices the man let down his guard.

Just what he needs.

"Forgive me. I was so caught up in discussions with a fellow scholar in town, I simply didn't realise the time." He lies through his teeth.

"Is that so?" The man asks, sounding surprised.

"Yes," he nods, "I was just on my way home now."

"But, you where heading for the north gate."

"Oh, was I?" Matthew blinks, acting like this information was a complete surprise, "I must have gotten turned around. All these streets look the same in the dark."

"Ah, then allow me to escort you back. These streets can be dangerous at night." The man smiles, stepping closer, completely buying Matt's lie.

"No need, I can find my own way back."

"I insist." The man presses, taking another step closer to be right beside Matt.

"You do? Oh, well, that would be most kind of you." Smile still firmly in place, Matthew reaches a hand out to the guards arm in a seemingly friendly manner.

As he gently wraps his fingers around the man's arm, he drops his smile, looking the guard dead in the eye.

"But really, that won't be necessary."

The guard stares back blankly, entranced by the Book Keepers voice.

Matthew's voice has always been soft, but now, with his magic flowing through it, it becomes like silk to the ears, warping the mind with his honey sweet words.

To anyone looking, it might seem like an innocent conversation, perhaps even as though he was informing the guard of sensitive information. Not suspicious looking at all. But if they were to get close enough, they would see the calculating look in the blondes violet eyes.

"Now, Why don't you get back to where you should be stationed. Make sure no one comes near the Northern Gate for a while. Oh," he adds, not breaking his gaze with the man, "And forget this happened."

Finally done with his command, Matthew releases the man, turning away. He pulls up his hood and disappears back into the darkness as the guard stares blankly after him. Once he's out of sight, the man blinks once, then turns and walks away, returning to his duties, having completed forgotten about ever seeing the Book Keeper.

Gilbert glares up at the north gate, waiting for it to be opened. Eventually it does, but rather than be met with the guards, his group are met with a lone hooded figure, and the Commander smiles.

"What is this?!" One of the more uppity knights beside him demands.

Without saying a word, Gil pulls his sword free and slams it into the knights head, knocking him out and causing him to fall off his horse, the magic chain he controlled dissipating.

"Sir?!" Another asks in shock, but get's no further.

The patrol has no time to react as to their horror, their Commander turns on them, knocking them out one by one. Normally, this would be a somewhat difficult task, but as they were all tried and still preoccupied with maintaining their magic binds, it was easy for Gil to take them all down.

"Did you really have to do that?" Matt sighs as he walks over, lowering his hood.

"What?" He whines, jumping down from his horse, "Have to make this look real don't I?"

"Urgh, you know it's harder to manipulate them when their unconscious like this."

"Yeah, But your magic isn't as sturdy doing it on mass, and there's no way they'd have all sat still once they realised what was up."

"Mmh, it would have been quicker." The blonde grumbles as he comes over to crouch by the unconscious body of the first knight Gilbert attacked.

"Speed's good, but we need reliability right now." Gil reminds the other as he tends to the horses.

Matthew doesn't say anything back to that, getting to work instead. He closes his eyes as he leans in close, whispering in the ear of the knight.

While Matt does his thing, Gil finally gives in to himself and goes to check on Alfred.

The young knight is still unconscious, covered in dirt, but other wise unharmed, and Gilbert smiles down at him.

"It's good to see you again kid. Sorry about all this."

The albino Commander continues to be impressed by the speed at which Matt works, as it takes him no time at all to alter the memories of his seven patrol members.

"Gil?" He asks, coming up behind the other.

Matthew stands, staring, at the form of the mud covered giant wolf lying not too far behind the group. From his place, he can only see the lower half of the other knight, Gilbert blocking the rest from view.

Standing, the red eyed man turns to the blonde.

"It's him."

Not waiting a second longer, Matt rushes forward, dropping down onto his knees beside his brother.

"Al..." He sighs the name in a mix of relief and worry.

"Happy family reunion." Gilbert drawls humourlessly, "But the rest'll have to wait, we've got work to do."

Matthew bows his head, his hair hiding his face. Right now, he want's nothing more than to pick up his brother and run away with him. He doesn't know where they'd go, but he'd figure something out.

He could...

He could make Gilbert forget too, and they'd just... disappear...

But that would be running away, and if there is one thing he learned from Al, it's not to run away from his problems.

Standing back up, he nods and raises his head.

"Awaken." He commands, voice ringing with power, and the previously unconscious knights all climb to their feet.

Entranced, they get to work. Taking the route both Matt and Gil had planned out and prepared, they effortlessly avoid all the guards.

Through Gilbert's authority and Matthew's planning and manipulation magic, not a single soul in the Capital saw either Alfred or Arthur being dragged to the dungeons.

3 hours ago...

Matthew was once again sneaking through the castle at night, this time, down to the dungeons. As much as he can manipulate the memories and actions of others with his magic, doing so is both difficult and draining. Mental manipulation magic is complex, and the spells require a lot of energy to preform, energy which he's never had a lot of to begin with. So he can't get cocky, he has to carefully plan out every time he uses it.

Which is why he spends so much time skulking about in the shadows rather than just waltzing his way around wherever he pleases, his magic is more of an insurance policy than a free pass. Which sucks, 'cause it would be so much easier if it were.

Once at the door to the dungeons he breathes a sigh of relief. From here it's easy. He slips in, greets the guards warmly and offers them drinks for the night.

"To tide you all over until the morning. It's such a shame you'll miss the festival. I hear it's going to be quite the spectacle this year." He acts sincere, pouring each of them the wine, drugged with a sleeping potion.

Task done, he easily leaves them be, passed out over at their watch post.

Now, for the truly difficult part...

Present time...

Alfred sneaks a peek out the side curtains to look out at the stage. The royal theatre, built into the largest of the castles three courtyards, is all set and ready to go. A wooden back drop painted with an incredibly detailed snowy hillside stands at the back, setting the scene for the first act. On the gantry, stagehands stand at the ready, and beside him, two of his fellow actors stand waiting for their cue.

He's pulled back by an irate stagehand as the signal is given and the show begins.

Lights generated by magic shine down on the stage, spotlighting the narrator as the curtain goes up.

"Long ago, when mankind was still young and new to the world, they struggled to survive in even the most hospitable of places. For in this time of old, magic belonged to the land and the beasts alone. It seemed like man was destined to struggle for ever more, until, one day, that all changed." The young woman dressed in pure white robes recites, before the spotlight on her dims, and another switches to follow the two actors beside Alfred —a man and a little boy— walking out.

Snow falls and wind blows across the stage, all curtesy of the skilled stagehands, no expenses are spared for the royal theatre.

The pair pretend to be walking through a blizzard, before the boy falls to his knees, complaining that he can't go on, while his father continues to urge him on. It seems like just an ordinary walk, if tiring, until a screech fills the room and a beast attacks, killing the pair were they stand, the stage floor turned red with the supposed blood spilt.

The light then returns to the narrator as the curtains fall back over to hide the change of scene.

"Such horror was to befall many, until a hero rose up, one who would change the course of human history, and save us all from despair."

That was Alfred's cue, and so as the curtains part once more, he strides out, walking tall and proud. Before him, the courtyard is packed with noble men and their families, the rich and dignitaries from all over. And above it all, sits the King out on the balcony overlooking the space.

Thanks to the girl who did his make up —darkening his skin with a look of sweat clogged dirt, and his temporary black hair, along with the frayed wide brim of his hat— he's practically unrecognisable.

Careful to alter his voice, just in case that were to give him away, he recites his lines perfectly.

"Curse thee endless winter. Thou haft stolen mine Mother, mine Father, and now, thou haft taken mine own Sister from me!" He cries, dropping to his knees in despair, pretending to cry.

He's probably acting a little over the top, as the crowd show no interest in his display, some even rolling their eyes and turning away.

A cry fills the stage and a fake beast drops down from above.

"Thou beasts are a curse, a scourge upon the land." He stands, drawing his sword, which, he just realised, is still his real one and not fake, so he has to be careful not to harm the actor inside.

Still, he continues, pointing his blade at the descending beast.

"Have at thee! Foul creature!"

The crowd starts to get into it a bit more as Alfred makes a show of his skilled foot work, dodging and parrying attacks at the last second. Finally, after dazzling the audience with is moves, he pretends to slay the beast.

Leaning heavily on the hilt, having pretended to run the thing through into the ground, and panting for effect, he continues.

"I... have slain thee beast... and henceforth... I shall make this vow... upon thine blood, I swear, to slay all thine brethren."

The curtains fall over again and the stage is quickly changed for the next scene, while the narrator continues.

"And it was with this vow, that Man would soon receive his first taste of magic. For the great God Nankeke did look down upon this man, a single human who vowed to slay all his creations, and laughed. But, the lowly Goddess Uparis also heard this vow, and sought to aid the man in his endeavour. However, Uparis was a weak Goddess of gentle spirits, she did not possess the power to help the man, but she was clever."

The curtain rises once more on a temple in the clouds, the God Nankeke sitting on a platform floating above the stage while Uparis sits on the floor, looking up.

"Nankeke, does the human amuse you?"

The God turns one of his three heads to look down upon the other and laughs sharply.

"Of course," The three speak as one, echoing around the open courtyard, waving two of his eight arms dismissively at the other, "Humans are such weak and pathetic things. To slay all my fine creations? Hehe, of course such claims of grandeur amuse me."

"Then you think he cannot do it?" She asks, her long hair of light flowing out on the ground around her.

"Such a thing is impossible." The God proclaims proudly as he lounges.

"Mhm, you are quite right." The small Goddess hums in agreement, hiding her cunning smirk, "The humans stand no chance, they were not blessed with power over nature, as your beasts are."

"What are you suggesting?" The three headed God demands, all turning to look down upon the other.

"I suggest nothing, I only state what is true."

"And that would be?"

"That it is unfair, for one so powerless."

"That is because the humans are not deserving of such power."

"Really? Then, if they did, he would be able to slay your creations?"

"Ha! Never."

"Hmm, I think he would."

Angered by the witty Goddess, the great God Nankeke was tricked into falling for her ploy, inadvertently helping the humans.

"Impossible!" He roars, and the stagehands have really gone all out, making the whole courtyard shake with his bellow, "I shall prove it! I shall gift this human this power, then you'll see, that the weak are weak, no matter what gifts they are given!"

The scene changes again and Alfred makes ready to go back up for the climax of the play, while the narrator cues the scene.

"Through the skilled trickery of the Goddess Uparis, The man was gifted the power over nature. With this new might, he went forth and killed countless beasts."

As she talks, Al makes a show of killing creature after creature, backdropped by a rotating scene through seasons, while the lights made it appear as if it was changing from day to night, and back again, over and over.

"Until one day, angered by the humans continued successes, the great God Nankeke created a new beast, one designed specially to kill the man."

As the light focuses back on Alfred he takes over.

"A thousand beasts I haft slain, and a thousand more I shall slay!" He proclaims loudly, raising his sword over his head.

"Your death is at hand foolish human. Prepare to die!" The God roars from off stage.

It was at this point where everything went horribly, horribly wrong.

Turning to the side of the stage that had yet to be used, Al watched in horror as a massive cage reinforced with magic is wheeled out.

He stares, as inside the cage, Arthur thrashes madly.

If Alfred had been looking, he'd have seen that the audience was very interested in the play now.

Slightly unnerved, the narrator continued.

"The great God Nankeke's greatest creation, the spirit of the endless Winter, was unleashed upon the man."

With that, the lock on the cage was remotely released, and Arthur burst free...

Authors notes: Oh dear... This might not end well.

But yes, plot and lore all in one chapter, what is this madness?! Things are about to come to a head very soon, but do not fear, for this story is far from over.

R & R people.

Until next time, stay awesome!