Knight of Avalon
Chapter-21
Artoria, Kay
"Aesc came to my home for the same purpose that you come to Norwich…seeking a means to defeat a calamity. Of course, the aldersmiths of Caer Went have forged powerful weapons used by both fairies and humans to combat calamities. For that reason, Aesc sought me out. At that time, Caer Went was under threat from the Calamity of Stone, when we detected a swarm of curses building up north that turned an entire mountain into a golem of sorts. It was too tough for conventional weaponry, so we realised what we would need to make."
"And…was it made?"
"Of course. We called it the Gwywtristwch. In later Norfolk stories, it would be called the Sper Von Auswahl." Eisen spoke.
"Sper von…"
"The Spear of Selection, in Norfolk language. Gwywtristwch is its Prydain name. It emerged in Caer Went from what we suspected to be the Astral forge, but in an unfinished state. Us Aldersmiths refined the Spear and were able to fully unlock its power for Aesc to use."
Eisen's eyes flicked to Artoria's staff.
"That staff gives off the same aura. I'm sure it also came from the Astral forge."
The fairy looked at her staff.
"Is that how you knew?"
"Alongside you looking exactly like Aesc as well as the Sword's light inside you, yes."
"...What?" Artoria spoke.
"Oh, you're not aware. Well, as far as I remember, the bells will cover that ignorance. But indeed, the great sword Caledfwlch our great maker Korrigan sought to forge, the sword that is a part of our purpose for existing…its light dwells in your heart, along with the dark curse that birthed the calamities."
Artoria's eyes widened, her brain processing all that information.
"As I said, start your pilgrimage and you will know the details, more than me. But for now, I will warn you you will not find a smith here in Norwich that can work with something like that."
"But…why? All the stories I've heard…"
"They're all lies! All perpetuated by that traitor!" Eisen snapped in rage as Artoria recoiled.
Eisen let out a sigh as he put his palm against his forehead. "Aesc…I will never forgive her…"
"Huh?"
"Apologies. My grudge got the better of me. But unfortunately, I am the only one in Norwich who can work on your staff and even make other powerful tools for you to use." Eisen spoke, clenching and unclenching his fist as he visibly tried to rein in his anger.
"Did…something happen between you and Aesc?"
Eisen's eyes lost their anger and went back to the empty melancholy she'd seen earlier in the day.
"Yes…but please, I don't want to talk about it." He spoke shaking his head.
"O-Okay. So, you can do it?"
"Yes."
Artoria's nervousness at Eisen's outburst gave way to relief.
I can't believe my luck. She thought, but Eisen stared at her.
"But no…I will not help you."
"What?! But Norwich is in grave danger!"
"The Queen's troops are here. They're certainly a lot more competent than what we had back in the day."
"And you think they're doing this out of concern for your safety?" Artoria asked.
Eisen remained silent.
"Mr. Eisen, please. You can't put your hopes on the Imperial troops…"
"And what? Put them on you? Another Aesc who comes to my doorstep seeking to use me for your own ends?" Eisen spoke, his voice slowly giving way to anger once again.
"No! Look, whatever happened between you and Aesc in the past, I won't let it happen."
"Oh, really? What makes you different from her?"
"I…I…" Artoria spoke before looking down.
Artoria tried to come up with something, but everywhere she tried to look, she couldn't find anything valid. All but one thing…
One thing that she was really scared to admit, but it was the only thing she knew.
"...Because I have little hope for the future of Britain." Artoria spoke.
Eisen blinked. "What?"
Artoria frowned. "I've seen what the fairies truly are. I've seen what they've done to me as the child of prophecy. I've seen just how monstrous we can be if we let our desires run loose. Maybe even the humans of this world I am unable to fully trust."
Artoria looked at Eisen. "I know I'm trying to save a bunch of scum, but I'm still doing it…because I know I can't run away from it. All I can do is confront it head-on and protect whatever I care about."
Kay's face emerged in her mind, her servant having become almost like an older brother to her. All her time, she'd been trying to run away from the prophecy with Kay protecting her. Despite everything, Artoria still felt she didn't want to do this. But as Puck said…she didn't have a choice. Not after Sheffield.
So if everything was pointless anyways…then she was going to face that destiny. She will carve out her path according to her wishes, because she knew whatever she did…it would all end with her marching upon Camelot behind fairies and humans who had long stopped seeing her as just another village girl but their destined 'saviour'.
I'll gain power and get. I'll beat the Calamity…I'll show everyone I'm more than just a pawn! Artoria thought, tired of being so useless anymore.
"If you think I'm using you, then I'll make an oath. Help us create the weapon to defeat a calamity, and I swear on my very purpose of living I will…
Eisen's arm suddenly fell on Artoria's shoulder.
"Stop that!" He hissed, interrupting Artoria.
"Stop that, I concede. You will get your weapon. But don't…ever stake your own purpose into fulfilling something, even if it is for the greater good." He spoke as Artoria again noticed the sadness return.
Eisen leaned back.
"Alright then. You want something, I'll give you one…I'll refine your staff and I'll make equipment to help you face the Calamity. But…"
Artoria leaned forward.
"I need you to venture to the Lake district, to the fallen city of York and bring me a fang from the skeleton of Albion."
Artoria blanched. "Albion?! The great dragon?!"
"Yes, that Albion. What I want you to do is bring me a fang, and you shall get your weapon. Aside from that, tell the newcomer to meet me tomorrow."
"Newcomer? As in, Leo?"
"Yes, that one. It is odd. But I felt as if I was in a forge in his presence. I can tell he is a blacksmith himself and would make good weapons, but simply ignorant of the materials here in britain. Send him, and I'll give him the information he needs to make more equipment while I forge your weapon and refine your staff."
"I see."
"I do warn you…if there is a chance my involvement with you is uncovered by the Imperial forces, I will immediately pull back." Eisen spoke scowling at the window.
"I've already suffered enough when that rain witch came to me as a 'hero'. I won't deal with any of her delusional antics even when she's become the High Queen."
Artoria gulped. "Right, I understand."
"Good. Now get out of my room. You may not be Aesc, but you definitely have her face and I do not want to sour my mood any further."
Artoria nodded and got up.
"Oh, and Eisen?" Artoria spoke as Eisen looked at her.
"Thank you for helping." She spoke as Eisen looked away.
His fist tightened as Eisen walked to a drawer and picked up a picture.
"...Thank you for helping." He spoke quietly, as he walked out to the window and looked at the automobiles on the streets.
"Aesc thanked me too. And then she took everything from me." Eisen whispered in quiet rage.
"We have to go where?" Habetrot spoke as Artoria stood in the room the next morning.
"York. That's where Eisen directed us."
"And he wants you to get him a dragon fang? That sounds so cool!" Leo spoke. "Its like Annabeth's drakon bone sword!"
Everyone looked at Leo in confusion. "...She's a friend of mine."
"Anyways, if Albion's corpse is our next stop, then what are we waiting for?" Kay spoke. "The Imperial forces are suspicious of our presence already. We best leave this place while we can."
"Yeah, but they haven't taken serious security measures yet, so I think we should be able to slip out with Artoria's cloak." Kay spoke.
"How long do I maintain it?" Artoria asked.
"Longer than usual. We might have a chance of getting caught in the streets. Best to play it safe."
"Just to let you guys know, I'll be staying here in Norwich." Leo spoke up. "Señora said the grouchy dwarf has something to tell me about materials? I can spend the next few days gathering stuff to make some good stuff for when you guys come back."
"In that case, I'll stay too." Da Vinci spoke. "I'll help Leo reestablish communications with Chaldea."
"Count me in, too. York…is a place I don't have great memories of. I'll only be a liability to you guys." Habetrot spoke.
"Really?" Artoria spoke dejected.
"Sorry, Artoria. But again, York is a past I don't want to dig up again." Habetrot spoke frowning.
"So, in the end, it is me, Artoria, Sir Knight, Muramasa and Anice?" Kay asked, giving the others a questioning look.
All of them nodded.
"Ok, then. Then this shall be the group. We'll eat, then we shall set out. Okay?"
"Yes." Artoria replied.
Soon, everyone except the servants sat down to eat. Watson went around serving beans and sausages to everyone, while Holmes was nowhere to be seen.
"Its a shame you're all leaving so early. You'd only spent one day!" Watson spoke jokingly.
"Don't worry, Mr. Watson. We'll be back in some days. Besides, not all of us will be gone."
"Ah, right. Mr. Valdez, Ms. Da Vinci and Ms. Habetrot are staying back. That means we'll have some more unique dishes in the next few days."
"Careful, mister. You might get too comfy with Leo's cooking."
Artoria and Watson both chuckled.
"By the way, what's Holmes doing?"
Watson's smile fell. "...sulking. Holmes does this from time to time. He doesn't mind if someone barges in, but do note he becomes very, very boring to talk to."
Artoria got up and walked into another room, to see Holmes looking at the window with an uncharacteristic scowl on his face.
"Holmes? You're not eating?"
"No. Just…thinking." Holmes replied coldly as Artoria felt slightly intimidated at the lack of snark he was showing.
She walked up beside him and stared at the window as well, looking at the street below with goblins, earth fae and humans walking on the pavement.
"Holmes?" Kay spoke as he walked up behind them.
"Yes, Sir Kay?"
"Could I use your Bell device?" Kay asked.
"Yes, you may." Holmes spoke as Kay walked out.
"Milady, are you interested in mysteries?" Holmes spoke.
"Mysteries? Uh…not really."
"History?"
"I get enough history lessons already." Artoria spoke, slumping.
"At Sheffield?"
"Yeah, at…" Artoria suddenly straightened up as she stared at Holmes.
"Did you…spy on us?" She asked with narrowed eyes.
"No. I had my suspicions from the incident at the gate. No one but criminals or stupid samaritans like myself would be willing to do a cloaking spell to fool the guards. Then I took a look at your shield friend, noting her striking resemblance to Lord Boggart's 'wife'. Besides that, her shield…it is like that of the so-called child of prophecy who appeared at Sheffield wielding a shield of iron."
Holmes gave a dramatic bow.
"It was quite elementary, my dear."
"H-How do you…"
Holmes simply grinned. "I have connections in Sheffield. Besides, the Mabinogi runes on Anice's shield are not common. In fact, No one in britain except the higher echelons of Oxford's history school know of their existence. The fact she has those kinds of runes…she is not exactly your run-of-the-mill fairy. And neither are you…Child of Ainsel's prophecy."
Artoria frowned and crossed her arms. "I didn't think you'd be so perceptive, Holmes."
"As I said, Milady, do you like mysteries?" He asked.
"In my case, I always did. Back in the ranch where I grew up, I always had a fascination with figuring out mysteries and secrets. As I grew up, I came to the realisation that Britain itself housed secrets of its own."
Holmes shrugged.
"As such, I joined Oxford's history department in my pursuit, for I believed the past is where I would find my answers." Holmes spoke before letting out a deep sigh.
"But those days are long gone…" He spoke quietly, his smug confidence disappearing and replaced with the same bitterness from before.
"Holmes…" Artoria spoke.
"Did…something happen?"
"Well, it seems this world is not kind to those who ask too much questions. My research focussed on the events of the Great Calamity and its aftermath. I had to stop what I was doing, because my professor told me if the High Queen saw my thesis paper during the convocation ceremony, she'd have me burnt alive right in front of the Bodleian library, just like Sir Geoffrey was in Salisbury." Holmes spoke with a broken laugh as he looked at the streets.
"4 years of toiling, putting my heart and soul into the research that I took pride in…all gone down the drain because the High Queen wants Britain's history to be only about herself."
Holmes shook his head.
"Freedom of speech…what a bad joke. That's what I've realised in my time in Oxford. The Fairy Kingdom of Britain is one giant stack of lies stacked on each other to hide the abyssal horror lurking in its flowery fields and meadows. All this we see around us…its all an illusion. An excuse for fairies and humans to hide their dark crimes."
Artoria blinked at the sudden shift in Holmes' mood.
"Do you know how Norwich gets its coal?" Holmes asked.
"From the corpses of dead Earth fairies?"
"And where do those corpses come from? The standard procedure is to either use them for land expansion or by Imperial orders chucked down to the Primordial Pit. So how does Norwich get its coal to run its industrial capabilities?"
Artoria immediately caught onto Holmes' point as her eyes widened momentarily before turning steel cold.
"...I see." She spoke in a monotonous voice.
"Heh, so you feel the same way. Glad to see someone who understands it." Holmes spoke.
"Many of the guild counts engage in this practice. Remember those sounds of automobiles in the nights? That's the Waches going out to procure their employer's 'coal supply'."
Artoria's scowl deepened.
"You know, when I first came to the conclusion you were the one Ainsel prophesied…I gained a slight dislike. I was never one for prophecies…they're all two-timing, vague, destructive things that bring nothing but anxiety and self-destruction to all those involved. I just thought you were another charlatan trying to cash in on the prophecy's vagueness."
"But then I look at your demeanor…all that fidgeting, all that nervousness…you don't want this position more than anyone else, no?"
Artoria sighed. "...I was raised in the village of Tintagel."
Holmes grew silent.
"Don't take pity on me." Artoria snarled at him. "It was my home, and it still hurts knowing it is gone…but I only weep for my home and my mentor, not for the people living in Tintagel. All they did was work me to death, believing I was the one Ainsel prophesied…and when they saw their exploitation was taking their toll, they decided to serve me on a silver platter to Woodwose without a hint of regret." Artoria spoke, her voice shaking with anger.
And then her eyes turned wide with terror.
"If Kay and Ector hadn't saved me…" Artoria gulped.
"Calm down." Holmes spoke quickly, putting a hand on Artoria's shoulder.
"It seems you had it much worse than I. Don't talk about it."
The two then fell silent as Artoria took a deep breath.
Why was she even surprised? Of course something like this would happen. That explained the constant rumbling of automobiles she heard last night.
And she was going to save them. In return for their twisted nature, she was going to save them and get nothing but fall further into that pit of worship and faith.
Artoria's fist clenched in anger, before she looked at Holmes.
"I'm sorry for what happened to you."
"And now you're the one taking pity. I'm just another human slave…our lives are pointless, to be spent merely in the service of our fae masters. Our 'freedom'...it's just given so that we are of more use to them. No need to pity our realities."
Artoria's eyes softened. "Holmes, just because humans are weaker than us doesn't mean you don't have your dreams…"
"Hmph. Anyone can have dreams. But to make them reality…one musst have hard work and luck."
Holmes looked down.
"And it looks like I lacked the second part to do so."
"But what's happened happened. I've graduated from Oxford, but I will become just another bell device for imperial propaganda. Its best I abandon the dreams I had as a child, accept what I've got…and start anew. That's why I came to Norwich with Watson instead of staying on as a Scholarius in Oxford." Holmes spoke.
"I guess not everyone can shine like a star. Eventually, our flaws bring us down from our lofty dreams and back down to the world."
Artoria frowned in sadness.
"Holmes…" Artoria spoke.
"Yes?"
"How important do you think it is researching on the Great Calamity?"
"Important enough that Morgan does not want any material on it. Something I found out the hard way when I went to look for published papers in the Bodleian library."
"So, if she's so concerned about hiding something, wouldn't it mean information coming out would be detrimental to her?"
Holmes put a finger to his chin in contemplation. "You are suggesting I continue my research?"
Artoria nodded. "If you find something, you can share it with us."
"Ah…I see what you're getting at. So you're asking me to risk my life and start provoking our dear majesty with illegal research." Holmes spoke with a chuckle.
Artoria raised her hands. "Oh, uh, I'm sorry…"
"Oh please. As long as my work still reaches the ears of the people…I don't care if I will be engaging in sedition."
Holmes adjusted his hat.
"But I'll still have to do it undercover…and Watson isn't too happy with me doing that. He's always tried to avoid trouble since we were young."
"Huh?"
"Ah, right. Watson and I grew up in the same ranch. We met each other when we were given the duty to clean the toilets in the houses. After that, we struck an unusual friendship that continues even today." Holmes spoke with a wistful smile.
"I'll do what you are asking of me, but I'm afraid I can't tell Watson. Doing this research would have me going behind the backs of the imperial authorities, and that is something Watson would never have me do."
"Hehe, he really cares for you, doesn't he?"
"Indeed. I may annoy him a lot with my eccentric antics, and he annoys me by being a stick in the mud…but that man is like a brother to me. I wouldn't imagine where I'd be without him by my side."
"So, I'll need a cover job to hide my other activities." Holmes spoke before hitting a fist against his palm.
"Oh, I know! A private investigation agency!"
Artoria tilted her head. "Private investigation? You mean, you're going to be a detective?"
Holmes grinned. "Well, Norwich has a lot of criminals…criminals who think they can fool everybody by creating mysteries in the wake of their crimes. Who else but my genius can catch them? Detective Sherlock Holmes, I like the sound of that."
Artoria imagined Sherlock with his arrogant smirk standing in front of a goblin, telling him how he figured out the goblin's master plan.
"That…sounds so cool!" Artoria spoke.
"Well, I'm sure if you had more time…you could be my assistant, milady." Holmes spoke.
"The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, with his trusty assistant Artoria Caster…that'd make for some fine stories." Holmes spoke as the two of them laughed, briefly enjoying a moment of happiness after reflecting on their bitter past.
"Well, then I guess this is goodbye." Holmes spoke, before walking to a chest, opening it to reveal a bundle of sheets made out of Vellum.
Holmes walked back and presented them to Artoria.
"My old notes on my visit to Orkney."
Artoria's face turned pale. "Y-You w-went to O-Orkney?"
Holmes' face turned pale as well. "I-I know. I'm never setting a foot in that nightmarish island ever again. Whatever happened there…I'm not sure whether we should even uncover that bag of flies." Holmes spoke before shaking his head.
"But whatever the case…I have a feeling that Ainsel's prophecy is once again connected to Britain's past. I am sure on your journey to ring the bells of pilgrimage, you will also have to unravel Britain's past and henceforth its true nature. These notes…I believe Orkney holds the key to unlocking the greatest mystery of all."
"And what is that?"
"How we managed to survive an inferno that consumed our entire world."
Artoria's mouth fell slightly open.
"Whatever the case, when you visit Orkney, take my notes with you. They should help you a lot. But for now…good luck on your pilgrimage."
"Thank you, Holmes." Artoria spoke before walking off.
"An inferno that consumed our entire world…?" She muttered as she looked at the title on Holmes' notes.
"...Wotan." Artoria muttered.
Soon, it was time to leave.
"What in Morgan's spear did you do to Holmes?" Watson asked Artoria in confusion.
"Usually, that man comes back from his sulking grumpier than a slave from Camelot, but he looks like a spring chicken right now."
"Well, Watson old chap, milady and I have some similar political views…plus, she gave me a great idea." Holmes spoke, giving Artoria a wink.
"Bye, bye, you guys! Drop by once you got the stuff. Uncle Leo will be ready with your fancy new toys by then!" Leo spoke, waving.
"Aren't you my age, Leo?" Artoria asked, crossing her arms.
"Physically, yes. Mentally, everybody is older than you." Kay spoke with an evil laugh beside her.
"Yeah, I'm definitely more mature than you, señora…" Leo spoke as Artoria huffed.
"Ha! But you're shorter than me!" She spoke as Kay snorted.
"I will be honest, Mr. Valdez…it's very embarrassing how you're shorter than even this blonde-haire menace here."
Leo shrugged. "Well, what I lack in height, I make up for with my smithing skills."
Artoria narrowed her eyes at the little jab.
Before she could open her mouth, Kay flicked the back of her head.
"Now enough of your foul mouth, my pig-headed master. We're getting late." He spoke, before the five of them descended down the stairs.
On the way down, Artoria once again noticed Eisen standing outside.
"Eisen." She spoke.
"I suggest you spend some of your time speaking with the mirror clan. They were the ones who set down your destiny after all." Eisen spoke.
The two of them nodded to each other before looking up.
"Bye!" Leo spoke as he, Da Vinci, Habetrot, Holmes and Watson waved down to them from the balcony. Artoria waved back before the group set out to get out of the city.
As the turned the corner around the street, Watson turned to Holmes.
"So, Holmes, what is this great idea that Miss Artoria gave you?"
"Watson…" Holmes spoke in a very serious voice as Watson groaned.
"Oh calamity…that already gives me an ominous feeling."
Holmes wrapped an arm around Watson's shoulder.
"I…am going to start a detective agency!" Holmes declared.
"Quiet down, will you! It's the early bloody morning!" A fairy living in a flat next to them yelled at Holmes.
Meanwhile, Watson fell silent as his mind processed what Holmes just said.
"...You are going to start what?"
"Have you had your rest, milady?" Spriggan spoke as Hermia and Tristan stood in his office while the duke went through some reports of chocolate shipments.
"Yes, Lord Spriggan."
"Good, good. I'll make this brief. Yesterday, two Slave Knights confronted a mysterious group of people in Korrigan square. They were attacked, and the criminals fled."
Spriggan looked at them.
"I trust you understand who they could be?"
Hermia nodded.
"Very good. I am sure they are aware of this fact as well. As such, I expect them to flee the city like the rats they are…"
Spriggan fully faced them as he put down the report.
"Capture them, and take them away to Camelot as soon as possible. The full force of Norwich is at your complete disposal, and I have already instructed them to keep an eye out."
"Thank you, Lord Spriggan. Do we have the means to track them?"
"We do." Another voice spoke as the Captain walked up beside them.
"Oh, hello, Captain!" Hermia spoke cheerfully as the Captain turned to her.
"A very good morning, Lady Hermia. How are you?"
"I'm fine, how are you?"
"Fine as well. But anyways…Duke Spriggan, I arrived this morning and received the news from my men. We have the means to track their location. That way…we can get them." The Captain spoke.
"Good, good. Then I will not waste your time any further. You are dismissed."
Hermia bowed to Spriggan as she, Tristram and the Captain walked out.
Spriggan's warm smile fell into a frown.
"Multiple weeks of this…" He muttered in annoyance.
He did not like the presence of imperials in Norwich. They may have come here on the pretext of 'protecting the people' but Spriggan was well aware they truly cared about nothing but to protect the iron supply for their precious little 'project'. Project Invictus was his and Woodwose's brainchild, and if it succeeded in crushing the Round Table in Londinium then the Thames river and the access to the firestone deposits in Dover would be his.
Spriggan grit his teeth. Murian charged exhorbitant rates on firestone because of Gloucester's monopoly on the Welsh mines and Morgan's persistence on integrating firestone technologies into her armies meant Spriggan had to spend his as well as the Guild county's fortunes to buy firestone from Murian. If he could succeed…it would save him a lot of money.
He had already made his contingencies in case the calamity managed to cause severe damage to Norwich. The only ones who would suffer losses would be the Guild counts, not him.
His lips twisted into a dark smile. He was certain the counts had reached out to the Sheffield Separatists. If Hermia captured them and he managed to establish a connection, then he'd have all the excuse he'd need to bring down Camelot's wrath upon those bastards and secure their economic assets for himself.
But at the same time, the Separatists themselves could also be useful in their own ways.
As Spriggan sat, his gears started shifting.
"Hmm…this would be unnecessary if Hermia succeeds. But if the separatists do escape, then I should see what value I can extract out of them." He spoke, before looking back at his report.
"For now, let me start setting up the engine of war." He muttered.
For the first time in years, the night sky was twinkling with stars.
Kay and Artoria stared up at the starry sky in wonder…accustomed to the pitch darkness created by the dark clouds stirred up by Vortigern's reign.
They were in the camp of the allied forces at Venta Icenorum, consisting of major Brittonic kingdoms such as Powys and Gwynedd as well as Saxon ones like Kent and East Anglia. All who would march upon Vortigern's capital of Londinium.
"To think the once great city ruled by the Romans would be reduced to this…" Kay muttered as he discussed with Artoria about the deplorable state of the city.
"Well, Merlin does state Vortigern has practically abandoned any further consideration to Britain with how close he is to finishing his ritual." Artoria replied.
"Right, to turn Britain into his 'Dark Paradise'. Sounds like a bad fairytale to scare little children." Kay muttered.
"Well…then I guess I'm the 'hero' of the story!" Artoria replied laughing as Kay sighed.
"You want to go for a walk, pig?" He asked as Artoria scowled at him.
"I've told you not to call me that, Kay."
"Yeah, do you want to go?"
"Where?"
"To the old ruins nearby?" Kay suggested as Artoria stared at him before shrugging.
"Sure. It'll be a fresh change from the old Roman villas of Glevum."
Both Artoria and Kay shuddered, remembering their adventure trying to stop Merlin from spying on some women bathing in Glevum's bathhouses. It'd ended up with Artoria almost getting exposed as a girl if not for Merlin's illusions.
The two of them soon walked off from the camp, heading off to a bunch of stone ruins of what used to be a city.
"Venta Icenorum…Caer Went." Kay muttered, as the two of them looked upon the old ruins that once used to be the capital of the Iceni tribe.
Artoria stared at it as well. "This is where Queen Boudicca rose up against the Romans."
"I also remember she burnt down a significant portion of Londinium and looted and pillaged its districts while Governor Paulinus was busy dealing with the Druids in Ynys Mon." Kay spoke.
"I know you really idolise Boudicca, Artoria, but you should be aware of her shortcomings. At the end of the day, she was a warlord just like the rest of the Briton chiefs."
"Yes, yes, I've heard that speech a million times. But I'm not going to be a warlord." Artoria told him, before looking at the ruins as the two of them walked through them.
"Since I pulled Caliburn…I've realised my responsibilities." Artoria spoke as they happened across an old wooden shield lying under some rubble. The shield had two crescent moons painted on it back to back - The symbol of the Iceni.
"After I save Britain, I'll also have to be its protector." Artoria spoke as she lifted up the shield.
"Whatever Boudicca did, she did it to protect her people from further humiliation as a Roman tributary. I will do the same."
Artoria unsheathed Excalibur, its golden blade lighting up the pitch-black darkness of Venti Icenorum.
"I'll push back the invaders…and restore Britain to its rich past as its High King, protecting the people." Artoria spoke.
"High Queen." Kay spoke as Artoria glared at him.
"Kay, I'm not…hey, stop that!" Artoria snapped as Kay tickled her neck.
"Well, High Queen Artoria, looks like you're still ticklish there!" Kay spoke as he continued doing it.
"Kay, stop it! KAAAAAYYYY!" Artoria screamed as Kay chased her around the ruins.
"What happened, savior of Britain? All that bravado vaporised?" Kay called out as he vaulted over an old wall to tackle Artoria.
"KYAAAAAHHH!" Artoria screamed as Kay continued tickling her.
"How're you going to protect the people if you can't protect yourself from my onslaught of…oomph!" Kay grunted as Artoria drove her boot between his legs.
"Guh!" Kay fell to the ground clutching his genitals as Artoria looked at him, childish smugness radiating from her.
"Hah! That'll teach you!"
"You little…" Kay spoke as he painfully got up. "You really went there didn't you, bitch?"
"Well you wouldn't stop being a…" Artoria stopped herself before coughing.
"What am I doing? Behaving like a hooligan…"
"Not a hooligan. Behaving like my little sister." Kay cut her off.
"You don't have to be a perfect knight all the time, at least not with me." Kay spoke.
Artoria sighed. "Kay…it won't look good if the people saw their king acting so childishly before such a momentous battle. They'd feel I wasn't taking this seriously."
"I never said that." Kay spoke seriously. "You don't need to act so stiff, pig…I've spent enough time with your antics growing up to know the goblin you hide behind that mask of yours.""Kay…""Okay, fine." Kay spoke before the two of them fell into silence, looking at the stars as they took in the sights of Venta Icenorum, the once bustling city having gone silent over the centuries.
Kay looked at Artoria, the girl lost in her thoughts staring at Boudicca's capital before she noticed him staring at her.
"What?"
"No…it's just…you've really grown." He spoke with a soft smile.
Artoria recoiled. "Cernunnos cleanse my eyes and ears, did I just hear you make a compliment?"
Kay gave a soft chuckle. "Yes. To think you were once a bumbling squire standing by my side as you clumsily swung your sword about. Looking at you now…I'm really proud of you."
Kay looked at the stars.
"And your father would be too."
Artoria smiled. "Thanks, Kay."
"Artoria…" Kay spoke before he held his sister's hands.
"Even after you become king…w-will you still be my sister?"
Artoria's eyes widened. On a rare occasion, her usually foul-mouthed, unflappable brother looked so…vulnerable. So emotional.
"Of course I will! You've been there since the beginning! What a silly question!"
Kay looked down. "Then promise me."
"Huh?"
"I'll be your advisor when you become the High King of Britain. You'll be the High King and I, your Seneschal in your court…but outside of that…Promise me we'll still be brother and sister?"
Artoria looked at Kay's eyes before slowly nodding.
"I promise." She spoke sincerely.
At that moment, the two of them heard growls as black dogs popped out of the shadows, staring at Excalibur's golden light.
"Oh boy…these mutts got a lot closer than I thought." Kay spoke as he and Artoria stood back-to-back, Kay's sword igniting with flames while Artoria brandished Excalibur towards the black dogs.
After clearing out the black dogs, the two of them would return to the camp, laughing and joking as they prepared for the siege of Londinium tomorrow.
Eventually, years would pass by. Artoria and Kay would forget that promise. They'd grow more cold and distant as Artoria constantly kept up her persona as High King Arthur while Kay established his reputation as the cold-hearted, stone-faced Seneschal who managed the Royal Household.
Neither of them would ever act on their promise…and it would be forgotten until decades later.
A much older Kay stood in Venta Icenorum, neighboured by an East Anglian town named Norwich, looking at the same spot where he and Artoria made the promise many, many years years before.
A tear slipped down his cheek.
"Forgive me, Artoria…"
Kay shook his head in the streets of the Norwich of Faerie Britain.
What are you doing, you idiot? Daydreaming at a time like this? Kay thought.
"Kay, you alright?" His master asked.
"Hm?"
"You look…really sad."
"I'm alright. Just daydreaming."
"Really, Kay?" Artoria spoke in disappointment.
"Sorry, sorry." Kay spoke as the Silent Knight gave him a judgemental stare.
"Ok, ok! I said sorry!" Kay snapped at him.
This man…its as if I'm with my Artoria. He thought as they kept walking through the streets. It was still the morning, so only a decent number of people moved about in the streets.
"Keep an eye out, everybody. There's a chance we might run into a fight." Anice spoke as they kept walking.
Artoria's cloak was holding fine, but Kay kept his hand on his blade's hilt as they walked past patrols of watches moving around.
As the group neared the city gates, Artoria stopped.
Kay's eyes narrowed as the group found themselves standing in front of Ritsuka and Tristan.
"Oh, boy…" Muramasa commented.
"Separatists…" Ritsuka spoke before clenching her right hand, having command seals different from Artoria's.
Immediately, two different servants emerged from the ground, although unlike Kay, they were bleached of their colour and had cracks all over their forms, as if they were incomplete.
One was a tall man with long hair wielding a longsword and wearing dragon-scale armor. The second was a hooded woman who floated in the air.
"...Surrender." Ritsuka declared as Kay noticed their path blocked off by multiple Slave Knights, with the Captain himself leading them.
"They were a lot better prepared for us than we thought." Kay told his master.
Artoria gulped slightly as the Slave Knights brought out metallic bows and nocked arrows of water at them.
"Kay…how much farther."
"A bit of a run in the northern direction." Kay responded.
"Okay, let's see if this works." Artoria spoke before her hands turned black, Artoria hissing as she let Arawn's curse flow into them.
"...!" Ritsuka raised her hand and fired off gandr shots at Artoria, which Muramasa and the Silent Knight deflected with their blades.
As that happened, the knights fired off their arrows.
Kay and Anice stepped up, his water shield expanding in size as that and Galahad's shield blocked the arrows from behind them.
Meanwhile, Artoria raised her cursed hand, as a cyan glow enveloped the Slave Knights' bodies and they found themselves getting raised up.
Black liquid trailed out of Artoria's eyes as she quickly tossed them away before releasing the curse, panting heavily.
"Run!" She spoke as the group ran past Ritsuka's barricade.
Ritsuka quickly got on top of the servant with the longsword.
"Quick! After them!" Ritsuka ordered as her group of servants and Tristram pursued the criminals, followed by the Captain.
Across the streets, Kay carried Artoria in his arms as they dodged blasts of mana being rained down by the caster-class servant who was flying above.
"Muramasa, get that caster off of us."
"Okay, Hooter, I need your help again!"
"My name is Höðr. Get that right, smith of Asaland."
"Well sorry I grew up on an island halfway across the world, mr. rude kami!" Muramasa snapped back at Höðr before forming a bow of darkness and shooting arrows at the caster, forcing her to form a shield to block them.
"I'll see you at the gates!" Muramasa spoke as he ran to a house, nimbly running up it and jumping towards the caster with two katanas in his hand.
"Alright, that's that done…" Kay spoke a white blur tear through the streets of Norwich as it thundered past automobiles swerving out of its way with lightning crackling around it.
Artoria threw a bunch of pipe bomb down her feet, but the Captain zigzagged and dodged all of them with surprising agility as the explosions shook the roads.
"Damn it!" His master yelled as Kay chucked a fire spear at the Captain.
The Captain twisted his body to not only dodge it, but also grab the spear and throw it right back at the group.
Kay's eyes widened as he shielded Artoria from the subsequent explosion, knocking the group forward and sending them sprawling momentarily.
The Captain seized that chance to dash forward in another burst of lightning and send an electric whip, wrapping itself around Artoria's body.
"Help!" Artoria yelled as the Silent Knight cut down the electric rope with one swing, as Anice charged forward with a battle cry and slammed her shield against the Captain.
"You again…" The Captain spoke in exasperation.
"I'll hold him off!" Anice yelled as she drove the Captain through the walls of a house into a location unknown.
As the remaining three continued forward, Kay heard the sound of hooves and looked back.
He could see Ritsuka, Tristan and the servant with the longsword with another servant Ritsuka had summoned, except this one Kay knew all too well…
"They have a chariot?!" Artoria exclaimed.
"That's…That's a Britonnic war chariot." Kay spoke, remembering his people's old war chariots that they used against the Roman invasion. Only a few tribes still used those war chariots by his and Artoria's time.
And its symbol…
"It's Queen Boudicca." Kay spoke, noticing the Iceni queen steer the chariot at speeds faster than any automobile.
"Boudi who?" Artoria asked.
"Boudicca. She was basically your other self's role model and a legendary queen of Britain." Kay told her.
"Well, they're gaining on us!" Artoria spoke, before going to chant a spell.
"It's no use! Boudicca's chariot was said to be blessed by the goddess Andraste herself! Our attacks won't do anything as long as all of them are on that chariot."
"What?! What kind of unfair power is that?!"
"We can't do anything to that chariot. But we definitely can knock off its residents…" Kay spoke as the Silent Knight understood. He charged towards Boudicca's chariot, dodging the stamping hooves of the horses and jumping up to tackle the servant with the longsword, sending both of them tumbling.
The servant quickly got up and hefted his longsword to block the Silent Knight's strike, stopping it cold.
Kay's eyebrows rose in surprise at the display in strength as the Silent Knight found himself unable to overpower his opponent.
Looks like he'll be in trouble too. Kay thought before bringing his sword back.
"Strike flame…" Kay spoke before swinging his sword to send a wave of fire. The flames washed over the chariot, but doing little to the occupants due to Andraste's blessing.
But it did blind them, as Ritsuka and Tristan found themselves being pushed out of the chariot as well by Kay and Artoria.
Boudicca immediately stopped her chariot and turned back, but got off as it dissolved.
Ah…that must have been a noble phantasm. Kay thought as Ritsuka, who looked at bit exhausted, dismissed Boudicca with a wave of her hand.
Kay did not waste time to talk, immediately going for Tristan to make sure he did not pluck even a single string of Failnaught.
Tristan realised that too, and a long thin blade slid out of the sheath to block Kay's strike.
"Well, well, well. Long time no see, lover boy." Kay grumbled.
"What are you babbling about, criminal? I don't know you."
"Yeah you do. You just forgot about it, you moron." Kay responded with a smirk as his shield pushed Tristan off-balance as Kay went for a downward slash.
Tristan flipped away to right himself before throwing his cloak at Kay to blind him. Kay sidestepped the attempt and blasted forward with a flaming fist ready to dig Tristan six feet under the ground.
Tristan jumped up as Kay's fist struck the ground with explosive force, caving the road in as Tristan shot arrows from failnaught at him as Kay deflected all of them before jumping up and hitting Tristan with an axe kick that sent him tumbling across the rooftops of Norwich's apartments.
Kay glanced at Artoria, who was engaging Ritsuka in combat as she responded to Ritsuka's gandr shots with her own spell. Artora was pathetic by fairy standards, but she definitely held the advantage against a human mage like Ritsuka, who was too exhausted to raise any more servants.
Kay focussed back onto Tristan as he landed on the rooftop.
He'd never fought any of his fellow round table knights, mostly focussing on hunting down any stray giants that the others were too busy to deal with.
But a part of him really wanted to see just exactly what his sister's knights were capable of.
Besides…even if he was absolutely justified in doing so, that man made quite hurtful comment against Artoria, and I'm just being petty. Kay thought before putting on his helmet.
"You're a lot stronger than I thought…" Tristan spoke with a grunt before his eyes opened to reveal those dull, lifeless yellow orbs staring at Kay.
"Something about you is familiar…"
"Good. Then that means I'll just have to beat you up further to make you remember." Kay responded as Tristan put on his own helmet and brought up Failnaught.
Immediately, Tristan jumped to the right as Kay sent a flaming spear right at his helmet, before a rope of water wrapped around his legs as Kay yanked Tristan towards him.
Tristan quickly pointed his sword's tip right at the slit in Kay's helmet, forcing the other knight to duck under the blow and swing his sword up, scoring a minor gash across Tristan's stomach.
Kay charged at Tristan with his sword and shield, not intending to let him gain distance from him.
Tristan rolled from Kay's stab, before flipping to slash at Kay's thigh. Kay protected his thigh with his shield before stepping in closer to slash at Tristan.
With that the two of them darted around the rooftops, Kay attempting to stay close so that he could strike with his blade while Tristan maintained distance where his weapon's superior range gave him the advantage.
Tristan found Kay a really, really difficult opponent. The other knight was taller and stronger, using his shield to constantly protect his guard. If Tristan allowed him even a little bit of distance, then he would rain down powerful blows that battered his own guard.
But Tristan was slowly finding gaps in Kay's guard as well, as he forced his opponent to dodge in the times his blade managed to get past the shield, even getting a cut on Kay's shield arm.
But that did little considering Tristan would get immediately bashed by the shield and then nearly cleaved in half as he faced Kay's monstrous counters.
Soon, Kay had foregone his earlier strategy and began attacking him with just his sword, except now Kay started using fire to propel himself and attack at Tristan from unusual angles.
Tristan constantly moved around as Kay darted around him to attack from all sides, now taking a more speed-based approach to force Tristan into creating openings for him to strike.
But Tristan kept his calm and focussed, dodging and blocking Kay's strikes before baiting Kay into striking him from the left, allowing Tristan to stab his sword in Kay's direction and stab into the shoulder of his sword arm.
"Gah!" Kay grunted as the shock of the stab made him drop his sword while Kay closed in for a stab to the neck.
Kay, however, stopped the blade between the palms of his hand before landing an uppercut in Tristan's stomach and launching him in the air.
As Tristan fell, Kay jumped and wrapped his arms around Tristan's waist, shooting a jet of flames from his boots as he drove Kay straight through the roof of a house, down to the ground floor.
Kay pressed Tristan's head against the ground as Tristan struggled against the knight's superior strength.
"Having some flashbacks, Tristan?" Kay joked before tossing Tristan through the door and back onto the street.
Tristan stood up and raised his blade while Kay stepped out.
"I don't know you, criminal. What do you not understand about that?" Tristan replied coldly as Kay sighed.
"Enough of that. I know you lost your memories. Before that, you were a proud knight of Arthur, High King of Britain."
Tristan's eyebrows furrowed. "Impossible. Britain is ruled by High Queen Morgan."
"I am talking about our Britain. The island that you and I have grown up in. The ruler of that Britain is not Morgan, but Arthur. You and I served as the Knights of the Round Table. You are fighting with the enemy against your own allies and friends, Tristan." Kay declared.
Kay shook his head. Now that he'd gotten a bit of his anger out of past grudges, he took off his helmet and stared at Tristan.
"All lies. High Queen Morgan has told us about you. You all do not know it yet, but what you are doing…your child of prophecy will be Britain's doom." Tristan replied.
"A war is not the end of things, Tristan. There is always a new beginning."
"Not a war! But a calamity. The Child of Prophecy is destined to bring Britain's greatest calamity on its shores, one that will destroy it completely. If Morgan can't stop you, then you all will drag Britain down the path of destruction!"
Huh? Kay thought before shaking his head.
"You don't believe me, I get that. But at least do not blindly trust in Morgan's words. She is using you and Ritsuka, using you to fight your friends."
Tristan's grip loosened on his sword.
"I know there is hesitation in you. Hesitation in the conduct of the Dukes and Morgan herself. At the very least, try to see if that hesitation is right or wrong."
Kay noticed slave Knights heading towards their location.
"If you have a change of heart, I will gladly welcome you with open arms. Goodbye for now…"
"...Old friend." Kay spoke before running off.
Tristram would have pursued him, but those last words suddenly sparked an image in his mind.
"Tristan, stop!"
"Think about what you're doing! Neither you nor Arthur will have any happiness if you do this!"
"Please, for your king's sake, don't leave…old friend."
"What was…?"
"Sir Tristram." A slave knight spoke. "Are you alright?"
"A little bit shaken. We must go after him." Tristram spoke as he continued in pursuit of Kay with the Slave Knights.
Kay discovered Artoria hiding under a manhole.
"Where's Ritsuka?"
"Gah, I gave her the slip and retreated. I know she's weaker than me, but she's got some type of weird decoy magecraft that has her slipping out of my hold. Not to mention her curses…I get hit by one of those, and I'm going to be paralysed."
"So you lost."
"I did not! I actually knocked her unconscious before running away!"
"Well, whatever, let's get to the gates."
The two rushed over to Norwich's gates where they met up with the others. Aside from a few burns, Muramasa was fine. Anice has some cuts and bruises, while the Silent Knights armor was dented in some places.
"Looks like Artoria was the only one who got off unscathed."
"Damn mages…" Muramasa grumbled as Artoria grinned at him.
"Alright, cast your cloak and let's get out of this damn city." Kay spoke as they turned back to their disguise and quickly moved to the gates.
Several Waches kept an eye on the people moving through the gates. As Artoria's group passed by, one of the Waches raised a hand.
"Halt." He spoke as he and a human guard walked up to Artoria and stared at her intensely.
"Y-Yes?" Artoria asked nervously, seriously hoping the Waches didn't catch them out.
One of the guards suddenly whispered into the Wache's ear as he nodded.
"Very well. You may leave." He spoke as Artoria breathed a sigh of relief as the group walked out of the city.
A few metres away, Artoria spotted a carriage.
"Sir Kay?" A man standing by the carriage spoke as Kay walked forward, dispelling the cloak.
"Wha…"
"Thank you. Please inform Auditor Smythe we are grateful for his kindness." Kay spoke as the man bowed and walked off.
"What are you…?"
"Hehe, I called Tom back at Holmes' place. Asked him to feed some bribes to the guards in case they manage to see through your cloak." Kay spoke as Artoria's eyes widened.
"Loyal soldiers of Norwich? Ha, all you need is money to see how far their loyalty goes. Although I am glad it was Spriggan's goons. Those blasted Slave Knights would reject even a billion morpounds if it meant catching criminals wanted by their master."
"...You sly bastard." Artoria spoke, impressed.
"Oi, my father was an amazing knight."
"Then off to York!" Artoria declared as Kay and the silent knight sat on the coachman's seat.
"Well, Princess Artoria. Please enter your royal carriage." Kay spoke with a grin as Artoria blushed in embarrassment.
"Stop it, you jerk!" Artoria spoke before she, Anice and Muramasa entered the carriage.
"You don't to sit inside, my friend?" Kay asked as the Silent Knight shook his head.
"Ok, then. Off we go. Yah!" Kay spoke beckoning the horses to gallop in the northern direction towards the Lake District.
Back in Norwich, Hermia met up with Tristram and the Captain.
"Did you find them?" She spoke, clutching her head where Artoria whacked her with her staff.
"No. They must have already left, Lady Hermia." The Captain spoke.
"They got past the guards?" Tristram asked.
"The Wache are corrupt and greedy. I wouldn't be surprised if they managed to bribe them into letting them go. Should have my men be there." The Captain spoke in disappointment.
"Then let's go after them!" Hermia spoke.
"I suggest not. Our time and energy are better spent preparing the defenses than looking for the Separatists all over Britain's east coast. Besides…"
The Captain looked towards the gates.
"Their purpose here is to defeat the calamity. Wherever they go, they will come back to Norwich…"
"Indeed." A voice spoke as Hermia noticed Spriggan come up in an automobile.
"It is a shame we couldn't get them. But its clear they will at least avoid a confrontation with us. When they come back to Norwich, we will be on the lookout."
Spriggan smiled.
"That second time, they shall be unable to leave and we shall get them for sure. For now, please come with me to my castle."
For some reason, Spriggan's smile indicated there was more to the situation than what Hermia could see. But whatever.
Tristan and the Captain got onto the automobile, with Hermia giving one last glance towards the northern direction.
In a few weeks, the separatists would be back.
But I do wonder what will happen to them in the meantime. She thought before getting on as well, as the automobile drove them back to the Vault to rest for the day.
A/N: Oof, 9000 words. That got a lot longer than I thought. Again, lots of stuff this chapter. We got Eisen talking to Artoria about his past, Artoria and Holmes having a little bonding moment, and then Kay having a flashback before a reunion with a fellow Round Table Knight. This chapter brings a temporary end to the Norwich portion as Artoria and her friends now head for York. With that, I'll be putting this story on the backburner and finish off my PJO fanfic in the first half of June before i come back. Next time this story returns, it'll also return with another fanfic 'Remnant: The Soulless Plains'. It'd have been a year since I last updated that fanfic and I'm planning to return to that in June.
Hope you guys enjoyed and constructive criticism is appreciated!
Foot Notes:
Gwywtristwch: The Prydain name of the Spear of Selection. It means 'Spear of Sorrow'.
Sper Von Ausvahl: The Norfolk name of the Spear of Selection. It means...well...Spear of Selection.
Norfolk language: The language of the fairies of Norwich. It is the lostbelt variant of the language of German.
Response to Reviews:
longbowchris50: Just to clarify, this isn't going to become a crossover. Leo's presence in this story is because I'm having an LB5 rewrite be a PJO crossover where Leo joins Chaldea. He's just another addition to the cast of chaldean character. There'll be no other PJO elements to this story.
RolePatrol: Yep, this is a pseudo crossover (Although I'm going to keep Leo to the minimum in this story). It is true how we don't know much about the other chaldean personnel. Usually, its just Ritsuka and the servants he/she summons.
Guest: Kay and Castoria's relationship is a significant part of this storyline, so I pay attention to have their banter going in the chapters they appear in. As for the rune thing, I'll explain Morgan's contingencies later.