Knight Of Avalon
Chapter-25
Melusine, Artoria
Above the skies of the Warrington Belt, Tam Lin Lancelot silently flew through the clouds, heading to the destination assigned to her as the sky was slowly turning blue with the coming of dawn.
"Why…?" Melusine muttered silently.
"Why here, of all places?"
Her majesty had instructed to scout out all lands in Britain beyond the Warrington Belt, but Melusine felt she had a good idea where the separatists could be found.
"Melusina…"
Melusine grimaced.
"You will always have a home here…"
She wanted to be wrong. She…so deeply wanted to be wrong. She hoped she could find the separatists somewhere else.
Melusine raised her right hand as a sjaellvan ring glittered on her ring finger.
"Ann Sjal…" Melusine spoke in Jarvi, as her fingers started trembling.
It had been such a long time ago when she was given this ring.
"The fact that you were given a ring from the Mirror Clan, shows a great deal of trust and care." Halobaromia spoke as he sat with Melusine in the carriage traveling from York to Salisbury.
"Really? This little trinket…?"
"Indeed. In their culture, rings are symbols of binding, usually gifted to show a close bond. For outsiders, a sjaellvan ring of all things indicates acceptance into the Mirror Clan."
"What? But…I serve Aurora…"
"Perhaps Ainsel still feels attachment to you. You were born in the lands of the Mirror fae, after all. They see you as their own."
Melusine pursed her lips. She would only take a little peek, but no more.
By Morgan's spear, please do not be here, Child of Prophecy. Melusine thought as she clenched her fist, and focussed on the Jarvi rune on the ring.
"Várhimm…" Melusine muttered in concentration before her world changed, going from the skies above Leeds to the ruined buildings of York.
Melusine's form was pale like a ghost and shimmered. The sky was cloudy, meaning that she had to an extent traveled a little in the past. In front of her were two people.
The fairy's heart sank when she noticed the human knight she tried to kill back in Sheffield, walking with his master who was dressed in a white cotton tunic and a blue cloak.
Melusine stared blankly at them, her fears confirmed.
"So I have no choice…" She muttered.
"It seems we will be having more visitors." A voice spoke as Melusine froze.
Inglewood glanced at the ring on her fingers and hummed.
"And you decided to use that old thing. I was almost losing hope you would never use it after all these years…"
"Go away, Inglewood…S-Stay away from me."
"How much longer will you push away the past, Melusina? I've said it many times, your title will not make the past go away. One way or the other, it is destiny that you come to Yorkshire again."
Melusine grit her teeth, before her ring glowed.
Inglewood gave a sad smile. "Ah, I see. Very well, tomorrow we shall be introducing our other guests to the rest. You can join us if you wish."
"They're…separatists. Guilty of high treason."
"And your dear queen has ordered you to observe them, understand their intentions here in York. Besides, all this 'high treason' is the voice of Camelot. What is your voice in the matter?"
"..."
"As I thought. Keep the invitation in mind. We'll be waiting, Melusina."
And with that, Melusine returned to her body, still flying towards York.
"Damn him. Why did he have to catch me?" Melusine spoke.
Any hopes of avoiding them have been dashed. It seems that her fate was set in stone.
"Urð na errek nauði, þat es ina varði. Sometimes I feel they fell for a cruel joke."
But Inglewood was right about one thing. They may be separatists, Melusine personally was curious about the one prophesied by Ainsel.
After all, I was there when Ainsel made her prophetic proclamation in the Jarlþing. She thought as she continued on her journey.
Artoria stood on a hill. A hill overlooking the ruins of a massive city on the banks of a river. In the city was a ringed fortress from which an ominous stone tower rose. That tower had a dark sphere in its middle sucking in any source of light, from which dark tendrils extended, digging into the tower like veins while others seemed to move out under the dark, stormy clouds like branches of a massive tree.
Yes. That was what it looked like. A tree of utter darkness that seemed to hold up the heavens themselves and burrowed its roots like poison within the ground.
Around the city, Artoria spot armies of humanoid shadows in conical helmets, mail armor, broadswords and shields moving about. They were accompanied by the unmistakable shapes of black dogs. She could see goblins chanting as they constructed massive contraptions of wood and iron resembling by tapping them with their staffs, with some armored goblins riding massive black dogs. Finally, there were giants wearing scale armor, flat-topped metal helms and glowing enchanted spears in their hands. She could even see a serpentine creature swimming in the waters of the river.
Opposed to this force, were humans wearing mail armor and round helmets of all kinds. Banners of all kinds fluttered about, ranging from eagles, to oceanic waves, to bulls, to wolves…all kinds of banners. It felt like an army of humans who were facing armies of monstrous creatures. The human armies were encamped around the hill, working to encircle the city for a siege.
"Shades, Goblins, Giants, Black Dogs, even a Wyrm…Vortigern's truly lost his mind." She heard a grey-haired knight beside her speak, checking the shield on his back.
"He's always been a mad man." A familiar voice spoke as Artoria noticed Kay, younger than she remembered and with his left eye uninjured. Kay absentmindedly fiddled with a flame he had created on his soldiers while his shield of water slithered around his left arm.
"Oi, Merlin! What's the matter with this tree he's been growing!" Kay called out another familiar name as Artoria spotted a white haired man in white robes with a staff and a mischievous grin move amongst the soldiers.
"It's the ritual for Vortigern's ultimate goal." Merlin spoke. "The Dark Oak that is spreading its branches across the skies and burrowing its roots into the island."
"That…is an Oak tree?" A confused voice spoke as Artoria saw a tall young man with blonde hair in a fur cloak holding a massive broadsword in his sword.
"Yes, Sir Gawain. The remains of the tree of creation that gave birth to the Old Gods of Britain. Vortigern has revived it with the dark curse and tethered Britain to it. As of now, the island is cut off from the rest of the world."
"And the dark sphere?" A voice spoke as Artoria noticed her alternate self, now looking her age riding in on pure white horse. She also wore mail armor, but her round helmet shined with gold inlays while her cloak was a rich blue as a soldier behind her carried a white banner with a red dragon on it.
On her waist, Artoria spotted a beautiful golden sheath with blue patterns inscribed with the primordial Mabinogi runes created by the Six great fairies.
Artoria stared at the sheath, feeling something familiar call out to her as a warm feeling filled her heart, as if her very soul had transformed into a beacon of light seeing that sheath.
She looks so…powerful…Artoria thought. Nothing like the mischievous young girl could be seen in the serious expression of the girl riding on the horse.
"Is this Arthur Pendragon…Kay's king?" Artoria muttered as her other self looked at Merlin.
"Yes, Merlin? I asked a question."
"The dark sphere…contains Vortigern's paradise. Long before humanity stepped foot on Britain shores, it was a land of ice and darkness, frozen in time by the glaciers at the world's northern edges. Any creatures that lived here were either used to the biting cold or lived in the subterranean caves whose entrances were ice barrows on the surface. The Dark Oak is tethering itself to Britain and absorbing the island's memories, to recreate that icy hellscape and revert Britain to that original shape. Vortigern has built his tower upon the old roman temples to the eastern god Mithras, drawing upon mystics both native and foreign to faciliate the process of absorption. Once the ritual is complete, the sphere will crack open like an egg, and Vortigern's darkness will consume all of Britain. It will erase any traces of human existence in Britain throughout time and space and it will never let the ice thaw out."
Gawain and Bedivere's eyes widened in fear as even the usual calm Kay gaped at Merlin.
"What?! This entire war we've just been pushing back Vortigern's mercenaries and simply reclaiming territory from him. Now, all of a sudden, we're in a struggle for humanity's very existence on this island?!"
"It seems so. That means Vortigern is desperate." Artoria Pendragon spoke calmly.
"Merlin, what do we do to stop him?"
"I assume Vortigern himself. He is the battery fuelling the ritual with the dark curse in his body. Strike him down, and the ritual will have inefficient mana to complete Britain's transformation. The means to destroy the Dark oak's corruption already lies on your waist."
Artoria's eyes flicked to the sheath.
"I see. Then our objective is simple. The army will clear Londinium of the monsters. I will seek Vortigern out and kill him myself."
"That's good and all, but I don't want you to go do that without proper support."
"I'm going to be fine, Kay~ Stop worrying about me." Artoria Pendragon responded, for the first time showing a bit of childishness, surprising Artoria Caster.
"I will always worry about you, pig. It's in my nature."
"Pig, huh…" Artoria muttered. So that's where Kay's nickname for her came from.
Artoria Pendragon smirked. "I could have you executed for that insult, you know?"
Kay waved her off. "Aw, is the High King of Britain hurt by getting called a pig?"
"Be serious, Kay. I don't want to hear your poor jokes and teases right now."
Artoria simply stared at the king bickering with his knight. She knew Kay was King Arthur's oldest knight. But the way he and the other Artoria were talking with each other…
It's almost like they have grown up together. Artoria thought.
"My king." Bedivere intervened between Kay and Artoria.
"Are you sure we can…overcome this?"
Kay's smirk fell. "Yeah, I'm feeling a chill in the air just from looking at that tree. I'm actually feeling a little scared…"
With that, Artoria did notice the chill, and how soldiers in the army where shivering with fear as frost formed in their breaths from simply looking at Vortigern's tree.
"Overcoming Vortigern is not a question anymore. Defeat means oblivion for us and the rest of humanity. If we fail here, Britain will forever be lost to mankind."
Despite the calm words, Artoria could notice the beads of sweat running down the other one's head, as she gripped the hilt of her sword.
She's scared too…but she isn't showing it. Artoria thought.
"We have no choice but to win. Do not fear the dark and the cold. We have the light of humanity on our side."
Artoria pendragon unsheathed the blade, as the hilt came off with an invisible blade of wind.
"Should the darkness start overwhelming us, we will beat it back with the blazing light of our wills. If Vortigern wishes to bring darkness into this war…"
Artoria raised her blade and closed her eyes.
The wind sheath around her blade lifted to reveal a blinding golden light that filled the hill with warmth.
Against the darkness of Vortigern's tower, Artoria's golden blade shined like a star illuminating the landscape. All around soldiers looked up in wonder as their king raised his blade high.
"…I shall bring light."
Kay grinned as he looked up at Artoria Pendragon…
…No. Not a grin. Artoria noticed a sad smile.
Despite the majesty of the sight, Artoria also felt a strange thought looking upon her other self sitting on the horse, shining the blade Excalibur upon the land. A thought that was similar to how Kay felt looking at King Arthur.
"…She feels so lonely…"
Artoria's eyes opened to a cracked roof.
"Another dream?" Kay spoke standing in front of her bed.
"It still feels weird being able to see so clearly in a dream."
"That's what being in a dream cycle does to you, genius. What was it this time?"
"…Well, I guess it was my other self about to march upon Vortigern?"
"Ah, that. It was a scary day. I didn't even think there were so many inhuman creatures in Britain until the siege of Londinium. It was hard, cutting down those shadows and finding out they were poor people corrupted by Vortigern's magic. The magic of the giants, the fire-spitting contraptions of the Goblins and the Wyrm in the Thames…our victory came with heavy casualties. Not to mention Vortigern himself turned into a dragon and nearly killed Artoria." Kay spoke, breathing deeply at the painful memories of the Siege of Londinium.
Artoria shivered. "I-I'm scared to ask, but what did he look like?"
For the first time, Kay also gulped, showing a lot more horror than she had ever seen him show.
"Darker than a moonless night, massive horns and wings nearly blotting out Excalibur's light. A single glowing red eye in the center and white flames that practically melted everything it touched. I remember everything on the battlefield freezing up in terror when Vortigern burst out of the tower and battle Artoria across Londinium. Master…let's not talk more about it. If there's something that nearly scared me to death, it's Vortigern's draconic form."
Artoria got up from her mattress and literally paced about in stress.
"Why are you shivering? You're not up against him. Your enemy is different and probably much less scary."
"R-Right, silly me…" Artoria spoke as Kay crossed his arms.
"Anyways, now that you've had some sleep…we should stop wasting time and start getting down to work. What do you want to do first?"
Artoria twiddled her fingers. "Um, do you think Ainsel and Inglewood will…?"
"They're already set on helping you, master. As yesterday you just need to make the first step."
Artoria looked away.
"And as I also said yesterday, just let it be. We have work to do. Come downstairs."
Artoria nodded and got dressed up. When she came downstairs, she noticed everyone else at a table, along with Inglewood and a mirror fae she didn't recognise. Unlike Inglewood's shining pearl white appearance, this fae seemed a lot dimmer, like the ghostly soldiers at York's walls.
"Ah, she awakens. A fine morning to you, Artoria." Inglewood spoke as Artoria took her place at the table, awkwardly looking at Inglewood. Gareth smiled at her and sat next to her.
"Who's this…?"
"Oh, this is Rolf. Once a jarl, now a ghost."
"Thank you for the magnificent introduction, Þanjarl Ingwið."
"About what I can say. Anyways, Rolf, chop chop. We have things to do."
Rolf nodded before disappearing, leaving Artoria in awkward silence with Inglewood.
"Don't feel guilty. At least you stopped yourself before this could turn into an altercation." He reassured her. "I trust you are calmer now."
Artoria nodded. "I-I'm so sorry for yesterday…" She spoke, red in embarrassment.
"What? What'd squirt do?" Muramasa asked.
"Nearly started a fight, that's what." Kay responded as the two nodded in sync in understanding.
"Whatever the case, is everything settled?"
"Y-Yes."
"Good. Then let me give you a basic outline of your tasks. First, you want to access the Grand Library and soothe Boggart's doubts about Caer Went, no?"
"Yes…wait, how do you know this?" Anice asked.
"I'm sure he's told you stories about me being drunk and boasting about our library. In the same way, Boggart has also been drunk and lamented to me how he wanted to understand Caer Went's fall and the Rise of Norwich. After all, it's quite clear that the magic of the Earth clan is not like how it was back then."
"Let me guess. It declined?"
"Not declined. From my last meeting with Spriggan, I can still say that there has been no loss of potential. However, their magic is restrained. My sword Dreksfingr was forged by an aldersmith of Caer Went. Compare that to the enchanted weapons of today, and you can notice a restraint being put on it."
"I see. So the Earth Clan's magic has been severely restricted, and their weapons are not as powerful." Kay observed.
"Ainsel and Kanning of the Earth clan looked into the issue, and they pinpointed a curse that was responsible for the restriction. The curse was only active for future generations, so any fae that used to be of Caer Went is still capable of forging weapons of immense power."
Artoria's eyes widened, a familiar image coming to her mind.
"But then, who put the curse?" She asked.
"That…you will have to meet Ainsel."
Artoria looked down. "Do I…have to?"
"Yes. You can't really run away from yesterday. Neither of you. Best you try and talk again. Besides, Ainsel knows something she doesn't want to share with us. You can talk about that today in the evening."
"Huh? The evening?"
"You have time before the calamity, no?"
"Yes?"
"Then we'll go through this slowly. The journey to Albion's corpse will take a day. Best you set a day to prepare before you leave for the Lake District. Besides, we're getting a guest in the evening."
"Another guest?" Muramasa asked.
"Indeed. Since yesterday was so terrible, we planned a bit of a proper welcoming party to all of you at the Jarlþinghús. Do attend that. Until then, Ainsel's put me up as your magic teacher."
Artoria blinked. "Huh?"
"Don't you wish to at least learn a bit of our clan's brand of magic?"
Artoria glanced at Kay, who nodded encouragingly.
She still felt shame from her outburst yesterday. And she was looking at ways to make up to it.
Maybe I should accept this offer? Artoria thought before nodding.
"Excellent. Meet me in the Grand Library once you've freshened up. And don't forget to come to the welcoming party."
With that, Inglewood vanished.
"Who's this guest?" Anice spoke in confusion.
Gareth shrugged. "I don't know. This is the first time I'm hearing about this as well."
"I guess we'll find out when they do arrive. Until then, I guess we can relax a bit."
"I will be going to the library." Kay spoke. "Pull up some records of the Winter War."
"Ok, how long will you be there?"
"Some time."
Artoria furrowed her eyebrows.
"Some time? You're being weirdly vague."
"Well, I don't know how much time it might take me. Maybe before your magecraft lesson. I want to see that at least."
Artoria scowled at him, before the group went on to discuss other topics.
Soon, it was time to leave. Kay got up from his bench and left the longhouse they were staying in.
He had made his decision. It may turn out bad, but the doubts he'd been having with Artoria's fate have been gnawing at him since Norwich.
Today he would either find a path out of this mess, or he'll probably be captured and taken prisoner.
"We await you in his heart…definitely the Lake District." Kay muttered as he took to spirit form. It took him little time to leave York and head north to the northern swamps.
However, only an hour into his journey, Kay was stopped.
It was by a simple barrow. One Kay nearly passed by when…
"Knight of Avalon."
A voice, rough like an axe scraping against stone, stopped him in his tracks. The words were laced with magic that seemed to freeze Kay's body, as he turned his head towards one of those nightcallers.
"What're you…?"
"Our intentions have changed. You will not head to the heart. On his orders."
'His'? So, these nightcallers have some sort of leader? Kay thought, taking note of that information as the nightcaller approached him. He narrowed his eyes, staring at the nightcaller before grunting, deciding to follow its directions for now.
"We will talk here." The nightcaller spoke before approaching the barrow.
Kay walked behind him, but the nightcaller threw its blade at the grass. There was a flash of red light, and flames burned away a bounded field.
"Goblin tricks. This is one of their mounds." The nightcaller spoke as they called their sword back and slashed at a part of the barrow's slope. The blade cut through it, the slope shimmering before giving way to a stone door, filled with symbols in the norfolk script.
"Ah, it seems some things don't change with Goblins." Kay noted as the nightcaller whispered in a foreign language to the door, the norfolk inscriptions glowing yellow before disappearing.
"Hm, so the Erlking still survives." The nightcaller noted as it entered the goblin barrow, Kay igniting his hands to see in the darkness.
And what greeted him were corpses. Corpses of goblins who had jagged slash marks on them.
Kay glanced at the nightcaller, which noticed a goblin groaning in pain. The nightcaller glanced at it with glowing red eyes, and the goblin's eyes turned white before it fell dead.
Kay silently followed the nightcaller deeper into the barrow until they came upon a chamber with a stone throne. On that, sat a goblin that was the same size as a human, its face less hideous than its underlings.
"That's the Erlking, I presume?" Kay asked.
"Nakhtkrauppen…" The Erlking growled before curling its claws that glowed with norfolk inscriptions.
Kay detected a build up of mana and quickly threw a fire spear, impaling the Erlking in the throat.
The Nightcaller walked up to the Erlking's dying body and pulled the the spear out of its throat.
The Erlking summoned an axe and swung at the nightcaller, which blocked it with its curved blade. Immediately, one of its talons rose up and grabbed onto the Erlking's skull, crushing it before tossing the body aside.
"..." Kay regarded the headless corpse silently as the nightcaller sat down on the Erlking's throne.
"It seems the others couldn't kill the Erlking yesterday. No matter. Now we shall talk."
"Was it you who talk to me yesterday?"
"Yes. He did." Another voice spoke as a night caller stepped out of the shadows of Kay's flame, as did more nightcallers, who wore similar clothing as the one on the throne, but had bony claws pinned to them.
As expected, I'm outnumbered. Kay thought.
"Is this supposed to be a trap?"
"No."
"Thank god, then." Kay replied sarcastically. "Now, what do you want?"
"We are not here to take. We are here to give. It is you who shall take, Kay, son of Ector."
Kay was surprised, but hid it, crossing his arms. "Hm, the eyes of providence, you knowing my heritage…I suppose you all are clairvoyants like the Mirror Clan?"
"..."
"In fact, I do remember a mural at the Jarlþinghús showing fairies looking like you lot. I believe it was dated to the Spring War."
"Quite perceptive. Impressive." A nightcaller spoke.
"The Avalon Le Fae has a human knight who has brains." The nightcaller on the throne observed.
"Thank you, but if you could lay off the praise…"
"Your deductions are correct. We are northern fairies. Once, we were the greatest enemy to the mirror clan. Lords of the Dragon's heart until Försanai and her children crawled out of their barrows and drove us out."
"Now, we are but husks. Mere shadows suspended between what lives and what dies."
"Better. Now that we've had introductions…business. Considering your clairvoyance, you know what plagues me."
"The possibility of death, looming over Artoria Caster."
"That's right. You all have the eye of providence like me. The ability to see how the force of providence moves around living beings."
At that Kay's eyes glowed purple, but he detected nothing around the Nightcallers, a sign that the nightcallers truly were not of the living.
The nightcaller's eyes glowed red in response.
"You know when someone is in risk of death, but you cannot tell how they are going to die." The nightcaller on the throne spoke.
"A sad flaw of my eye compared to true clairvoyance."
"Indeed. If you know how she will die, you will know how to stop it, won't you?"
"I think that's been made clear ever since you looked into my mind."
"True. Well, the answer is simple. She will die alone. Alone against the threat."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"...That's it?" Kay asked, his jaw tightening as he attempted to suppress his frustration at the answer.
"We have spoken exactly what you need. You are merely overthinking."
"Really, and what if Inglewood or Ainsel gives me more information?" Kay spoke. Inglewood did warn him about the nightcaller's lying.
The nightcaller on the throne waved him dismissively.
"Inglewood? That fool, everyone can lie. But if you want to go to Ainsel and verify it, be my guest. I do hope you treat whatever they say like you treated our wisdom."
Damn it. For their savage looks, these guys are a lot more logical than I thought. Kay thought with a grimace.
"Whatever the case. We have spoken our piece. How you interpret it is up to you."
"Wait! But I can't just plan with this much! If I make a mistake…"
"Your master will despise you? Because of what that völva told you? The concerns are valid, but as I said before, this is all that you shall get."
"But…"
"Out."
The nightcaller inscribed a rune in the air, and Kay's body was pulled by an unseen force, sending him flying out of the barrow as the door closed.
The knight's fist clenched and ignited, before he punched the ground with explosive force, sending dirt flying everywhere.
"DAMN IT!" Kay yelled, before taking a deep breath to calm himself.
"Calm down, Kay…Calm down." He spoke.
Looks like solving a riddle is how I'll have to go about this. Kay thought.
He really hated it when clairvoyants acted cryptic.
"She will die alone. Okay, I'll have to ponder that a bit." Kay spoke. With that, Kay took off in the direction of York.
Eventually, he returned to the city, finding his master at the steps of the Grand Library, with Gareth and Inglewood by her side. The library was massive, its architecture very, very different from the striking danish style of York. It seemed more roman than nordic, featuring triangular pediments, arches and spolia designed around a massive box-like structure. From the library's center, arose a monolithic but damaged tower that had a crystalline shine to it. This was the Crystal tower.
In front of the Library's steps was another inscription.
Enn Mikluðhöllr Jarviks
Yggar Aptr Körnunnos 11330
Bá Frøya Äinsela ok Titum Varum
Uð es in raidh tá Avlanni
"Speaking of your servant…" Inglewood spoke as he pointed at Kay, Artoria turning back to meet the eyes of her servant.
"There you are! I thought you were here in the Grand library?"
"I was. And I as I said before, I also had to go other places after that." Kay spoke before deadpanning.
"And besides, if you're worried about me, master, you can always sense my presence, you know?"
"W-Wait, really?"
"Yes, idiot."
Kay avoided the Inglewood's blank, knowing gaze, the fairy's pupiless crystal eyes staring into his spirit core for a few seconds, before he shook his head in disappointment.
"Well, you have come in time. Your master's magic lesson is about to begin, in the old lecture halls of the Grand Library."
"There's a lecture hall here?" Artoria spoke in wonder.
"Our books, our scholars, our architecture. All of it passed from the Mikluðhöllr to the University of Oxford. Mikluðhöllr was the oldest educational institution of Britain, after all."
With that, the group entered the grand library. Right on entering, they came to a circular chamber with a desk and three doors leading deeper into the libraries, with a statue of what Kay noticed looked a lot like a Roman man wearing a toga could be seen.
"That is Varus, a human from your world, Sir Kay. From the place called 'Rome'."
"So that is a roman…" Kay spoke in surprise.
"Indeed, we preserved our prophecies mostly by oral tradition until he came. Varus told us how a seer of his homeland preserved her prophecies within books that came to be known as the Sibylline books. In spirit of that, we created Mikluðhöllr to preserve our prophecies."
They entered the doorways, and navigated through a labyrinth of bookshelves, all of them empty. Artoria frowned in sadness at the empty bookshelves, aware that their contents sit in Camelot with Morgan, out of reach.
Eventually, they came into a hallway of lecture halls, one of which Inglewood entered with Artoria.
The lecture hall had cracked walls, but otherwise remained in relatively good shape, with its seats shaped like an amphitheatre with a space in the center for the instructor.
Kay and Gareth sat down at the front most benches while Inglewood took Artoria to the stage.
"Now, let us begin." Inglewood spoke.
"You are trained in futhark runes by the human mage from Kay's world?"
"You mean Helga's runes? Um, a little? I know you inscribe them, and each rune has multiple meanings"
"Well, that is how our magic also functions. Inscribing runes in the crystalline fabric of reality. However, there are differences."
Inglewood raised a finger.
"A rune to us is not a single letter, but a proper word inscribed in Jarvi. The meaning of a rune changes based on how you structure it with your letters."
"Second, our runes are flexible. You can use the magic of other clans using Jarvi letters. For example, the magic of the wind clan relies on chanting. In such a case…"
Inglewood moved his finger as he inscribed a rune on Artoria's throat.
He made a gesture, and Artoria nodded.
"Ys, sigawll ainrach Târian." Artoria spoke as the runes on her neck flared. A bounded field of light formed, but also with tendrils of water.
"Woah!"
Artoria tried inscribing the same rune on her neck, but it fizzled out.
"And that's the difference between Jarvi runes and Salish chants. The chants are focussed on a specific meaning, and can bring results. However, due to the immense variation of the meanings of our runes, the caster has to concentrate on the desired effect, much like futhark runes. There's a reason Salish chanting is one of the easiest forms of fae magic in Britain."
Artoria slumped.
"It's fine. Using Jarvi runes like I do requires a level of mastery even mirror fae cannot achieve. You can use chanting to help concentrate the rune's effect, but I suggest further practice."
"Oh, that's nice!"
"Now that you have a basic idea of Jarvi runes, let us continue. We have only one day, so I shall only give you the fundamental principles. Beyond that, the further intricacies you will have to explore by practice."
With that, Inglewood explained and practiced with Artoria, helping her practice inscribing Jarvi runes and further integrating them with her Salish chants to achieve spells with wider effects.
Kay silently watched his master train with Inglewood, his lips twitching in a grin.
So much had happened since that night in Tintagel, yet he felt there was so much more to go.
Artoria had come far from Salisbury, but she was stepping deeper into the pit of revolution. He knew just how messy and chaotic a revolt can get. He knew that any allies they make will only be held together by Ainsel's prophecy.
To Kay, the enemy was not just Morgan, but the prophecy itself. How it will throw his master into danger repeatedly, and be forced to stain herself with dirty politics to achieve her victory. Behind that heroic image there will be the tendrils of the tensions between Camelot and the rest of Britain.
He just had to make sure this conflict wouldn't tear his master apart.
But for now, his main concern was the force of providence dimming around Artoria. Until he could see it becoming brighter again, Kay wouldn't rest.
Melusine had spent the entire day avoiding York, out of a delusional hope that the child of prophecy had only stayed a day before moving up further north into Lothian.
But unfortunately, her eyes did not spot any signs. No, even her armor, a gift from Morgan made by the goblins of Camelot's forges could not detect any attempts at hiding.
But now, as the sun began to disappear underneath the horizon, Melusine found herself looking upon the familiar shape of the crystal tower and that of the Grand Library in the distance.
For a moment, instead of ruined walls, she saw herself raining blasts of fire from her arms down into the city, obliterating longhouses and incinerating the fairies inside them, bringing York to the same fate met by Harrogate, Durnham and other Mirror cities.
She saw Inglewood floating in the air, his eyes glowing with a harsh light as his hands rapidly inscribed runes to build a ball of fire as bright as the sun.
And then, her vision came back to normal, leaving Melusine sweating in nervousness.
If there was one fairy that struck fear into her heart, one fairy she never wanted to fight, it was Inglewood. Meeting him would not help her nerves at all.
Only focus on the objective. Determine the child of prophecy's presence, figure out their purpose, and report back to the High Queen.
She didn't need to descend. As long as she could pinpoint the location, she could follow them from the sky to their destination, that was it.
It would be enough…
…For Tam Lin Lancelot.
For Melusine, however, it would not. She wanted to meet the one Ainsel had prophesied would defeat morgan.
That curiosity, she could not really restrain. The child of prophecy, her servant whom Melusine nearly killed back at Sheffield. There was also that mysterious knight who had stopped her and pushed her back.
So strong…I want to know more about that knight! Melusine thought gleefully.
But, there's also Inglewood and Ainsel… Another part of her thought in fear.
Melusine floated in the air, pondering her options before grimacing.
"Mors, I'll just go down!" She snapped at herself.
Her armor rippled like water before she was made invisible. It had helped her before, but she didn't know whether it would work against the Mirror fae and their clairvoyant abilities. She just hoped that it did.
Melusine slowly hovered down, touching upon the ground away from the Jarlþinghús where she could detect a large gathering of fae.
"That must be the 'occasion' Inglewood was talking about." Melusine spoke. Now for the child of prophecy's location.
"Várhimm…" Melusine chanted as the rune on her ring glowed, her mind directing it to search for the child of prophecy in York.
Eventually, it pinpointed her presence…near the Jarlþinghús."
Melusine bristled in frustration.
Why?! Why is she over there?! She thought. No matter, she'll wait until the child of prophecy had left. Then she could speak with her alone, without detection.
However, before she could move away, a voice called out.
"Melusina? Melusina!" A mirror fae spoke as he floated through the streets near to her, Melusine recognising him.
"...Rolf…" She spoke.
"Melusina, stop this…" Rolf gurgled out as Melusine plunged Arondight into his stomach, her armored mask hiding the devastated grief behind her eyes…
Melusine gulped, trying to push back the memories. This is why she didn't want to come to York. There was nothing here but reminders of her crimes. Reminders of the monster that lurked behind the shining image of Tam Lin Lancelot, the so-called 'most beautiful fairy of Britain'.
The Tam Lin was too absorbed in her thoughts to spot Rolf floating over to her, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"There you are! We're waiting for you at the Jarlþinghús! Come, come!" Rolf spoke laughing. Before Melusine could react, he inscribed a rune and the world twisted, sending both of them at the doors.
Melusine's eyes widened as she finally processed what had just happened.
"Melusina's here!" Rolf announced as he pushed open the doors.
Thus, Melusine found herself staring at the flabbergasted gazes of the child of prophecy and her companions as well as a huge number of Mirror fae, having huge smiles on their faces.
For the first time in days, Artoria actually felt like she had a day to relax, even if it was with a bunch of ghosts. She was nervous about meeting so many people, but she couldn't really refuse the invitation, so she and her companions in front of the Jarlþinghús, at twilight. Gareth stood there, smiling at them.
"Come on in! Everyone's ready!" She spoke grabbing Artoria's arm and pulling her into the longhouse…
…And Artoria could already smell the festiveness of the air.
Unlike today and yesterday, the Jarlþinghús was lively. With their magic, the mirror clan had lit whatever torches remained on the hall's walls. They had managed to gather any intact drinking horns and filled them with Apricot mead, while some Mirror Fae had picked up lutes and horns, singing ballads.
She spotted Inglewood, with a huge smile on his face, sitting with Ainsel, who was wearing a ring-like crown on her head and sitting on the throne.
In eerie synchronisation, all the fairies turned their eyes to Artoria.
"U-Um…"
"Ah, one has arrived! Come over, Avlani. Vælek á Jarvik!" Ainsel spoke cheerfully.
"Vælek á Jarvik!" The hall cheered.
Artoria warily stepped in to the Jarlþinghús, following Gareth as she took her over to the bench closest to the Ainsel's throne.
The Silent Knight looked around in curiosity, at the ghosts floating around them.
"There's only drinks?" Kay asked looking at his mead.
"Apologies for that. Our incorporeal forms are a severe limitation. If this had been 6 years ago, things would have been more livelier" Inglewood spoke as he sat with the group.
"Ah, whatever. I want to quench my thirst anyways." Kay spoke before drinking the apricot mead.
"Can servants get thirsty?" Artoria asked.
Kay stopped before staring at his horn in contemplation. "You know what, you do have a point. Why am I even feeling thirsty? If I'm a spirit…"
Artoria looked away as her servant started slowly descending into an existential crisis about servants and drinking.
"When do I…?"
"Wait. She will meet you alone. For now, just relax and enjoy. Now…"
Inglewood grabbed a horn and gulped it down in one swig, ignoring the drink completely passing through his incorporeal body and spilling onto the bench.
"So, Artoria. Have you ever had Honey bread?"
"Um, no?"
Inglewood sighed.
"Tell Boggart to take you to Dylan's in Salisbury at some time. Personal endorsement from myself."
"Ohh, have you visited Salisbury's pubs?"
"Most of them. Mors, how I miss them. I know most of the owners of the pubs in Salisbury, and they know me. I was actually planning another rampage there until, well…"
Inglewood waved a hand over his ghostly form.
"Do you know someone named Mike?"
"Hm…Mike, Mike, I do remember seeing his pub the last time I went to Salisbury. Never really went there to drink."
Inglewood narrowed his eyes, which shined for a moment.
"Is this question because you worked there as a maid?"
"Gah!" Artoria screamed in embarrassment, horrible memories of her brief week of working as a maid at Mike's coming back to her.
Muramasa leaned over. "What did I just hear?"
Kay laughed. "This pig-headed idiot here dressing up like a pig. You should have seen her serving the drinks to the customers back at Mike's."
Inglewood chuckled. "I can imagine me walking into that pub, and getting served calch wine by the same golden child of Ainsel's prophecy. Ainsel would definitely laugh at me for that."
"Well, it's…surprising to see you so…" Anice spoke.
"Conversational, cheerful? I was once a stick in the mud, not really showing much emotion to others back when Ainsel succeeded Försanai and I became her chief jarl."
Inglewood smiled softly.
"But then wars and wars and wars happened. The Summer War, The Autumn War, The Winter War, the Mors war, the Nightcaller infestation, the giants raiding our lands on their way to Lothian, the calamities…I saw many brave humans give up their lives for the sake of our clan and also lose countless comrades."
The fairy sighed.
"As I said before, the Lake district is cursed. Our clan has suffered, many despairing because of the prophetic visions of the dangers that would come with the future. At that time, Ainsel and I struggled with a concept the human Titus had once talked about. A concept foreign to us, yet completely enraptured mine and Ainsel's imagination."
Kay perked up. "What was that?"
Inglewood's smile widened. "...Family."
Artoria and Kay blinked. "What? Family?"
"Yes. Ainsel and I grew closer to each other with each hardship we went through. We fell to the emotion of love. But eventually, both of us wanted to have what you humans call 'children'."
"But I hear fairies can't reproduce." Kay spoke.
"That's the sad part. Ainsel and I would never experience the joys of childbirth, all we could do is only love a younger being like our child."
Inglewood's eyes fell in sadness, and Artoria noticed Kay had stopped drinking, staring down in contemplation.
"Before the massacre, Ainsel and I had started working on dispelling the curse around Yorkshire. We were tired, tired of all this conflict, tired of the fear of Morgan breathing down on our shoulders, tired of always seeing a grim future for ourselves. All we wanted, was for Yorkshire to know peace, and for us to rule over it with someone to call a son or daughter."
"..."
"..."
"But enough of the depressing talk, I'm getting off track. Essentially, after so many years of despair and bitterness, eventually we simply got tired of being serious all the time. These parties at the Jarlþinghús are one of the few times where the both of us can simply forget our regrets for a moment and simply enjoy…or at least, whatever we can enjoy as ghosts."
Artoria nodded in contemplation, her eyes looking at the table.
Inglewood then leaned over to Artoria.
"Have some mead." Inglewood spoke offering Artoria a horn.
Artoria stared at it curiously. She did wonder what these alcoholic drinks taste like.
"Uh…"
"I'm a ghost. I tragically cannot experience the joys of alcohol touching my lips ever again. I can at least make sure this drink can go to someone."
She looked around to notice Kay practically inhaling his mead, while the silent knight had surprisingly slid up the visor of his helmet and drinking mead, before quickly sliding it down before anyone noticed anything.
Artoria looked at Kay, who just chugged another horn.
Kay's scarred eye glanced at her, before he slapped her back.
"Go on. I started drinking at a younger age than you."
Artoria looked at the horn, before shrugging to grab it…
…And then, the doors opened to reveal the other guest.
"What the…" Artoria heard Muramasa speak as she looked to her right and nearly dropped her horn out of shock.
There, standing at the doorway, was Tam Lin Lancelot, alongside the same fairy Inglewood was sitting with in the morning.
"She's here, everyone!"
Melusine. Artoria thought, Tam Lin Lancelot's true name popping up in her mind.
Melusine here in York, the Mirror fae's invitation…
Her heart dropped as the implications set in.
"Wait, wait, wait. There's no ulterior motives here. Melusina's also a guest." Inglewood spoke, as Artoria's grip on her staff tightened.
"You may check with your eyes."
Artoria looked at him, trying to search for any signs of his true intentions…
"After all these years, she's come to see us again."
She couldn't see anything that showed this was a trap.
"Kay." She spoke as her companions were getting up. "This isn't a trap."
Kay's eyes narrowed. "Are you sure?"
"I checked. The Tam Lin's their other guest. Just for celebrating with us."
"Squirt, I'm pretty sure I remember telling you how she kicked me into the pit, earlier…"
"Muramasa, calm down!" Artoria snapped at him. "She's not our enemy right now."
Muramasa stared at her as if she'd hit her head against the wall, before sitting down.
Artoria looked at Melusine, whose mouth had fallen slightly open and her shoulders were trembling. Artoria had forgotten she was still using her fae eyes, and…
"Várhimm..."
"Leave me alone."
"I'm sorry."
"I'm so sorry."
Artoria blinked in shock. The voice inside Melusine, it sounded…scared. Full of regert
This is the same fairy who nearly destroyed Sheffield? Artoria thought in surprise. She'd heard stories of the ruthlessness of Melusine, how she had torched tracts of the Welsh forest during the Caterpillar war. She'd expected some kind of emotionless monster who did nothing but rain destruction from the skies.
But…right now Melusine sounded more like scared little girl about to burst into tears.
Artoria noted Melusine's gaze looking at Inglewood and Ainsel in specific.
The ruler of the Mirror clan stood up from her throne and smiled at Melusine.
"Welcome home, little Melusina." She spoke.
At that moment, Melusine swiftly turned back and ran away, heading towards the grand library.
Gareth was frozen, shocked at the sight of Melusine. The knight looked at Inglewood.
"Was that…?"
Inglewood let out a soft sigh. "Yes, that was Melusina. It seems the wounds of 6 years ago still haven't healed."
Artoria got up from her bench and ran to the entrance to the Jarlþinghús.
"Master? Master!" Kay called out to her, but Artoria didn't seem to respond.
Her curiosity had been piqued.
What was Melusine doing in York? Why was she reacting in such a way to the Mirror Clan? What conection did she have to Ainsel and Inglewood?
For some weird reason, Artoria wanted answers from the Tam Lin herself.
"Ys, Fyndach Naidh Melusinrach…" Artoria chanted as she spotted a faint dot of light appear in her vision, coming from Mikluðhöllr.
"There she is." Artoria spoke before running off.
In front of the Grand Library, a lone fairy sat on her knees, staring up at the cracked and broken walls. Her mask had come off to reveal her bright amber eyes.
"...This is not my home." Melusine spoke.
"It can't be my home."
Her mind was in pieces. Her eyes couldn't decide whether she was looking at a desolate ruin of ghosts, or a burning city of death. The library flickered between its stone debris and burning walls, and the inscription flickered between an empty square…and a site of battle.
She could remember every face at the Jarlþinghús. Remember their expressions when she burnt them alive or when she drove Arondight into their chests.
And of course, there were Ainsel and Inglewood.
"Forgive me, Melusina. I failed you."
I shouldn't have come here. Melusine thought with a tired sigh before sensing something.
"Who…?" Melusine quickly stood up and turned around.
"Child of Prophecy…" She spoke as Artoria caster stood there, warily looking at her.
Melusine's eyes widened in surprise.
This is exactly what she wanted. To be able to meet the child of prophecy and meet her alone.
But…
"...You look just like her majesty." Melusine spoke, noticing the striking resemblance.
The other fairy shivered. "Please don't say that. Imagining my face on the high queen of britain gives me nightmares."
…This is the so-called 'hero' who's supposed to beat Morgan? Melusine thought.
Once again, the two found themselves in awkward silence. The child of prophecy waited for Melusine to speak, but no response came.
"Um, uh…hi?" The child of prophecy spoke before Melusine snorted.
The child of prophecy blinked owlishly as Melusine shook her head in amusement
"H-Hey! What's so funny?" The child of prophecy spoke, as Melusine swore she was shrinking in stature.
"Apologies, it's just you look like you'd get knocked unconscious by a strong wind. I'd probably be laughing at the absurdity of it if I wasn't in such a terrible mood." Melusine spoke bitterly.
The child of prophecy scowled at her, offended at the comment, before crossing her arms.
"What's your name?" Melusine asked.
"...Artoria. Artoria Caster."
"Are you from Tintagel?"
"Yeah, wait, how did you…?"
"Interesting. A Cornish village girl with a Vox name. And a fascinating one with that."
Artoria tilted her head. "Hm?"
"Artoria comes from Artiurias - 'Of long life'."
"Oh, uh…thanks?"
Melusine looked over Artoria.
"You know, you're awfully calm for meeting someone who is your enemy." She spoke.
Artoria's face became blank. "...You tried to kill Kay back in Sheffield."
"That I did. As my duty as a soldier to Morgan dictated." Melusine admitted.
"You threw Muramasa into the primordial pit…"
"Okay, that I was not intending. I didn't think he'd go flying back as far as he did from my kick. I didn't want to kill him."
Artoria blinked, caught off-guard as Melusine crossed her arms.
"..."
"I know. Embarrassing. But anyways, aside from that, I suppose you are hating my guts for nearly taking away a friend of yours."
But you seem too calm by that fact. Melusine thought.
"Trust me, I am. But I'm not crazy to try and fight you all alone. I almost made one terrible mistake because of my emotions. I'm not making another won. So…"
Artoria looked down.
"What is your past with York?"
Melusine fell silent at that.
"That's none of your business." She spoke with a glare as Artoria stepped back in nervousness.
"...Ok…I'm just…"
"This is the first time we're meeting, no?"
"Um…yes?"
"Then why do you think I'll tell you about my connection to York? Why don't you go ask your dear lady Ainsel?"
Artoria twiddled her fingers. "No, it's just…you seem to carry a lot of regret about it."
Melusine closed her eyes.
"The last time someone ever said that to me…was her majesty."
"..."
"...Considering you are like her, I'm guessing you also have those truth-seeing eyes like her as well?"
"Yes."
So we have someone snooping around it. Melusine thought.
If the other fairy knew about it, was there a point hiding from her the full story of her past?
Yes. Because she'll judge you for your crimes. See you for the monster you are. Her mind spoke to her.
But why did she care? Artoria was her enemy? Why did she care if Artoria called her a monster or not?
Perhaps…
"Your destiny lies with her, Melusina. The freedom you've so desired will come with her."
Not yet. She will not speak of that.
Melusine opened her eyes.
"Don't ever use them again around me. Please."
Artoria hummed in surprise at the oddly polite request.
"If you're not going to talk about your past, then what are you doing here? You said you've been ordered not to attack me?"
Melusine thought about it. Should she answer that question?
"..."
"Okay…you're here…to spy on us!"
In a utterly immature motion, Artoria pointed her finger in accusation at Melusine, who chose not to humor it, even though a part of her did want to respond in kind.
"And you're going to Albion's cave…"
Artoria froze, before turning red in nervousness.
"O-Oh! U-Um, no! Y-You're wrong!"
"What other reason do you have to come to this ghost town?"
…To my utter annoyance and despair. Melusine thought.
"And what are you doing here?"
"..."
Melusine sighed.
Should she beat the information out of Artoria? That would be convenient. The child of prophecy was all alone, and…
No. She did not want to do that.
But…
"Hmmm…" Melusine pondered as Artoria silently stared at her, nervously wondering whether Melusine was going to try and force the information out of her.
"Okay, I've an idea." Melusine spoke, with much less enthusiasm than what she expected. Usually, her 'ideas' were communicated with much more enthusiasm to the other tam lin.
I really need to leave this city. It's not helping my emotional state. Melusine thought dully.
"You're going to Albion's cave, and hence to Albion's skeleton, no?"
Artoria nodded warily.
"I will be your guide."
"Uh, no…wait, WHAT?!" Artoria screamed as she realised what Melusine was suggesting.
"What, I'm offering a temporary alliance?" Melusine asked in disappointment.
"W-W-W-WHAAAT?!"
"Gah, would you stop squealing like a pig?" Melusine spoke covering her ears.
That seemed to strike a nerve, as Artoria fell strangely quiet at being called a pig.
"But, you…"
"I usually stop by the swamp to check if anything is trying to disturb the dragon's remains. But recently, I've been blocked out."
Artoria tilted her head in confusion "Blocked out? Like, you can't enter?"
Melusine slumped.
"No…so, I found out that Murian's fox friend was poking around the swamp recently. I was afraid that Murian was trying to tamper with the swamp, so I had gone to investigate. However, there was a magical barrier there that I can't get through."
"The fox?"
"No! I found her unsuccessfully trying to get past it. It had to be made by a powerful sorcerer, because no matter how much tried, I just can't get through!" Melusine snapped,
her frustration growing.
"W-Well, I'm not sure if I can…"
"I remember the sphere of darkness from Sheffield." Melusine drawled as Artoria froze up, her eyes darting about.
"You have powerful allies. You must know someone."
"Why should I…actually, this is a problem for me too. I could just call…"
"Inglewood? They can't leave York. The curse traps them here."
"Oh, uh…I know someone."
"You do? Good, get past that barrier, and I'll lend my strength to help you through the dangers."
Artoria tapped her staff.
"What kind of dangers?"
"Mors. Nightcallers. Whatever traps the sorcerer must have left behind, anything. You'd find it better to have the strongest warrior of Camelot helping you. In exchange for that, I'll know your purpose here."
"..."
Melusine extended her hand.
"How does that sound?"
Artoria stared at her, probably thinking why she was even considering this. But at least to Melusine, the offer was good enough.
"...Fine, truce. But only for the journey to the cave. I don't trust you."
"Good. When you leave tomorrow, I shall join you once you have left York."
With that, Melusine decided she had said enough. Before Artoria could speak further, Melusine put her mask back on and flew into the air.
Once she had flown a sufficient distance from York, Melusine let out an exhausted sigh.
"So that's our prophesied saviour. The one you saw, Ainsel…" Melusine spoke.
For the first time for the day, Melusine smiled.
"Artoria…you've grown quite a lot since the last time I saw you."
"Damn it, she's left." Artoria spoke.
"...Artoria."
Artoria frowned, knowing who had called her name, and slowly turned around to see Ainsel.
"Lady Ainsel." She spoke before bowing her head.
"I-I'm so sorry for yesterday. I lost my temper and, and…"
"No need for apologies. The time for reconciliation will come naturally as we talk further. You have multiple purposes here, and we must start working on them."
Artoria straightened up as Ainsel floated past her to sit down on the steps to the library.
She tapped the steps, encouraging Artoria to sit next to her.
"Now, about Caer Went. We will give you the books you need once you leave York. However, I believe you in particular must see a particular story."
"I know Inglewood told me about a curse restricted the magic of the Earth clan. But what's this about a story?"
"Further details, why the curse was cast, and your own questions about Eisen."
"...About his past with Aesc?"
"For the fairy Eisen, the task you have asked him to do is one of immense pain. Even if he has accepted, forging a weapon with the old mystics of his clan carries memories that may prevent him from forging what is necessary. Especially when someone like you requires it. I have seen the futures that are to come, and I must stress that no mishap happens when Eisen forges the weapon. If that is to happen, you must make peace with him."
"But he has accepted I'm not like Aesc?"
"Do you think you can fully forgive me in your heart, even after apologising just now?"
Artoria looked away. "...No."
"You know you can't help but tie my actions to the suffering you have experienced since your birth. Such is for Eisen. He may say such things, but his grudge, like yours, cannot help but tie you to what Aesc did to him. Empathy is the only solution. I will work towards reconciling with you, and turning my sympathy into empathy, and you must do the same with Eisen."
"And…this story will help me?"
"Yes. You will go 6000 years in the past, to the beginnings of the legend of Aesc. Once you have seen what happened, you will be ready to face Eisen and truly work together to save Norwich. Are you ready?"
Artoria didn't even realise how much her treatment of Ainsel seemed like what Eisen did to her.
Is this what he felt when he saw me for the first time? Artoria thought.
Suddenly, she felt pity for the bitter old fae. She had started feeling the grudge only days before coming to York. Eisen had kept his for millenia, even if it was not against Artoria herself.
Suddenly, determination swelled in her. She wanted to understand Eisen's grudge, and with that, even help him when she met him again.
"...I'm ready." She spoke.
Ainsel smiled in pride before one of her arms reached out to her her.
Artoria closed her eyes as Ainsel's index finger touched the center of her forehead and inscribed a single rune.
...
...
Körnunnos
A/N: Holy shit, I did not see this chapter of all things becoming a 10k chapter. Once again, I blame Melusine for this. Since I've been completely ensnared by the ideas I've planned out for the York cast of this story, I've decided to also modify her backstory a bit. Yes, I know in lore, the Mirror Clan is supposed to be pacifistic. But I forgot about that when I was writing the York chapters, so that's another piece of canon changed. Henceforth, I'll have to change Melusine's backstory with the mirror clan too.
Honestly, there's just too many things in this chapter to talk about, so I'll just keep it brief. Yeah, the pacing has slowed down, but I guess it's also because of the fact that there isn't much to do in terms of action for Part-II compared to Part-I of this story that I'm taking my time to develop Artoria's relationships with characters. Now that the hecticness of my semester is over, I think I can say now that I'll be more frequent with the updates. At least, till I end part - II. After that, I'm actually going to try and bring myself back to the dual story schedule (Since I'm feeling mroe confident with my single story schedule.)
Hope you guys enjoyed and constructive criticism is appreciated!
Translation:
(Jarvi) Ann Sjal: My self (A little play on the IRL folklore behind Ainsel)
(Jarvi) Várhimm: Our home (Will be further explained in foot notes.
(Norfolk - Goblin dialect) Nakhtkrauppen: Night Crow (What the Nightcallers are called in Norfolk)
(Jarvi) Vælek á Jarvik: Welcome to York!
(Salish) Ys, Fyndach Naidh Melusinrach: Light, find Melusine's life (Note: In the Salish language, 'naidh' is a word with varied meanings. The closest equivalent that can be found in New Orknö is 'life' and 'soul')
Inscription Translation:
The Grand Library of York
Created 11330 years after the beginning (670 FE)
By Lady Ainsel and Titus Varus
Knowledge if the path to Paradise
Foot Notes:
Goblin Barrows: Mounds inhabited by Goblins who refused to live in the cities of the Earth clan, choosing to follow their traditions and living as raiders. it is said that the first goblin barrows were in fact created by the Mirror Clan, with Goblins moving in after the Mirror Clan established the city of York and left their old barrows behind.
Erlking: Erlkings are the lords of goblin barrows scattered across the eastern coast of Britain. Once, the Erlkings practically controlled Britain's coast from their barrows, which the goblins took over after they were abandoned by the Mirror Clan. Among them, five would be the Greater Erlkings ruling over goblinkind, who alongside the dwarves were the children of the great Earth father Korrigan. After Korrigan's death, his dwarven successor Alareik would fight a bloody war with the five Greater Erlkings over control of the lands of the Earth clan. Eventually, Alareik would triumph and many goblins would be taken as captives, being assimilated into the cities of the dwarves and adopting their culture. Eventually, many goblins would be appointed as the primary smiths of Camelot by the High Queen, due to a mysterious dislike of the Earth Clan by Morgan. The rest of the goblins would be scattered, falling into a long history of internal strife as the Erlkings spread goblin barrows across Britain, raiding merchants across the roads and hoarding their gold in the barrows. the Erlkings remain the last institution of when goblinkind was at its peak.
Titus Varus: The same human who showed the mirror clan how to preserve their prophecies in written form, co-founder of Mikluðhöllr and its architect (As can be seen from the foreign design of the Grand Library).
Várhimm: A Jarvi rune meaning 'Our Home'. It's meanings are generally related to home, family, heritage etc.
Response to Reviews:
RolePatrol: Ah, irony. A delicious thing to work with while writing a chapter.
And also, no. As I mentioned in the previous chapter, I've deleted the village in Cornwall from my fanon for this story. I initially was intending to have it, but dropped it later on. Halobaromia being fine doesn't mean Cornwall is intact. I've written that the nameless woods are still there, and Halobaromia wants to reclaim Cornwall from it.