A/R:

Women Ruiz: More or less yes!

Annoying POW Marine: Y'know it's actually its funny you phrased it that way, because I can promise you this, Lyle getting grail powers wasn't an accident. Once you finish reading this chapter you'll know what I mean. And I have to admit, I'm surprised by how popular big ol' Grom the Paunch is with so many of my readers, I'll definitely file that thought away for how I develop the story later.

And yeah, Be'lakor is gonna be a problem. A big one, for not just Lyle but all of the people in the Old World especially with Alvin doing his bidding.

Haldir639: You bring up a lot of good points with the rigid formations, and I had been planning to incorporate scenes with the undead helping with labor, it's just that there's been so much other plot I've had to incorporate I haven't managed to use such concepts in a way I think would noteworthy just yet. Maybe after what comes next in the coming major battle. Also don't underestimate Belacuck. He may have been separated from his most recent flame, but he can scornful and spiteful at the worst of times.

Aymen El Kadouri: Plans upon plans upon plans…that are just as planned.

Nagash44: You're pretty on the money, it is Tzeentch as well as some of his underlings that and agents that are helping prod Lyle in…certain directions.

Zerkil: Thanks for pointing all these errors out, I like the dedication. And again, I'm pleasantly surprised by how many people are big Grom fans. I mean don't get me wrong I loved playing him when he dropped, so I can kind of get it. And yes, Belakor suffering is always a pleasure. The problems begin when he wants other people to suffer with him.

Darkwarrior41: Lol, you would hope wouldn't you? It wouldn't be so hard for him to do so, if Lyle could get out of his own way.

dadg12346: It would have indeed been very sad if Rudy would have gone out like that. This IS Warhammer but it helps to balance out the moments of failure with triumph. And thanks for the congratulations, I'm loving all the reviews from you guys!

Jajo Camello: Thanks for the in-depth break-down my man I really appreciate it. What you described was more or less what I was going for, especially with how Lyle took all of this new world in. And as far as the magical aspects of this goes, you'll soon see why and how his magic works the way it does for the most part as soon as you start reading this chapter.

rc48177: Yeah the Red Duke has always been a fascinating character and concept to me, and I feel it's almost criminal that Creative Assembly hasn't truly and properly used him. I haven't brought him in yet officially in the story and only dropped mentions because it's not quite the right time and he would be overshadowed with too many events that wouldn't do him justice. I can promise that you'll see more of him after this battle however.

Samot: You're absolutely dead-on with that statement; those afflicted with chaos will always have strings attached whether they want to admit it or not.

Guest: Well thank you very much my man I appreciate that I managed to get this far so that you could have something to sink your teeth into! Trust me, I remember way back in the day when I first started reading fics in high-school and loathing great story concepts that only had a couple thousand words written out.

...

The Fay Enchantress opened her eyes and found herself surrounded in a grassy plain, surrounded by mist she had become so familiar with and accustomed to. Yet even now, however, as familiar as she had become, she felt something different this time as he floated toward the lake before her, constantly getting filled by the grand waterfall off a cliff face in the shape of the Goddess who granted her powers.

She knew she had been brought here for a reason and wasted no time approaching the lake, her head bowing before the lake.

Moments passed, and to an outsider, it would seem as though this blonde-haired beauty was waiting on nothing or perhaps just meditating on the constant yet soothing sound of water crashing upon the water.

Eventually, however, a shape began to slowly emerge from the river itself, a shape with long, wet hair and a face obscured by the mist hovering just above the lake. Yet even now, there was no mistaking the otherworldly-looking being that was now showing itself to the one being that might as well have been her arm to the Old World.

"Morgiana." The voice was radiant, authoritative, yet gentle. There was poise and gentleness that could not simply be replicated by a mere mortal. "Rise, my child."

Morgiana Le Fay did as she was bid and raised her head, looking at what the Lady allowed her to see through her blonde locks. "My Lady…I must admit, for you to summon me so suddenly, I am surprised."

"I must apologize. But it is time that you knew."

Morgiana blinked, not missing how abrupt and sudden her Goddess was all of a sudden. She had been conversing with Repanse De Lyonese on the path they should take from Carcassonne to Castle Bastonne when she was brought here. It filled the most powerful damsel in all the land with anxiety. What she was brought here for must have been a dire matter. "Knew…knew what my Lady?"

There was hesitation, Morgiana could feel it. Yet the obscured figure of the lake spoke once more. "The truth about Spoletta. The truth behind his nature."

Now anxiety gave way to confusion. "Spoletta? Is there something else you wanted me to know about him before we eliminated the threat he poses? It won't be long before I guide Repanse to smite him for good-

"I'm afraid it's not that simple. Not anymore. I felt it just now. A new form of magic he's just awakened." The Lady sounded trepidatious as she spoke, a nervousness passed on to Morgiana. "I've felt hints of it in the past few weeks, but just now, it's come full force, awakening like a new babe from the womb. A form of magic that can touch and manipulate souls itself. Not unlike necromancy, but in a different way."

"How is this possible?" Morgiana questioned. "I know he was brought to our world through dubious means, but how could it give him such a power? Was the scroll Kemmler used to summon Lyle so potent to grant him such a gift?

"Not alone, it was not. Only the Gods themselves have that kind of power." There was a pause, and the Lady seemed to look away, even though she was shrouded in mist. "A god…such as myself."

It took a moment for Morgiana to truly appreciate the implications of what was just admitted to her. Her eyes widened, and her mouth parted ever so slightly once she had absorbed the plain-as-day admission. "My Lady…surely…surely you do not mean what I think you me-

"When I sensed that the chaos was stirring again, I did what I have done for generations to confront the inevitable threat. I took precautions to ensure that Bretonnia survived along with any of the Old World if I could manage it. But, I sensed that this chaos incursion would not be like so many others. No. I could see in the mists that this would be a graver threat than Bretonnia, as presented, would be capable of meeting."

Morgiana wanted to say something else but held her tongue. She had many questions, but the Enchantress knew her Goddess was going somewhere with this and that all would be answered.

"This time, when the slaves of chaos walk across the Old World once more, they will bring with them chaos Undivided. The usual squabbling dark gods will come together in their rare yet horrendous unified fronts…with a unified champion."

"An Everchosen." Morgiana finished, feeling a shiver down her spine.

"Yes. An Everchosen shall come for us, and loathe, I am to admit that we are not ready for such a creature, not just for his personal power, but how he will bring a unified chaos with him. I fear that even our mightiest grail knights, combined with the forces of the Elves, the Empire, the Dwarves, and others, could not stand against this tide. Not unless we had something to counter the disfavor in which we would find ourselves." The Lady then raised a hand from the lake as water dripped from it. Just before Morgiana, a part of the mist hovering in front of the lake began to part, revealing a portion of said lake. "We needed a difference maker. A champion who could match the Everchosen's might. A champion who could rally by example and inspire the masses to meet the horrors that the Dark Gods would visit upon us." And just then, on that portion of the Lake that Morgiana could see, a familiar young man's face began to become visible.

The air left Morgiana's lungs, nearly staggering back in shock. "Spoletta."

"Did you know that there are no winds of magic in his world? One would think it is a disadvantage that must inhibit his people, yet it has forced them to change. Forced them to adapt to times with technology that in some ways surpasses the Empire and the Dwarves…yet it wasn't his knowledge of technology that I desired…it was the clean slate he offered."

Morgiana was still staggering mentally from this revelation, as she almost didn't register her Goddess's most recent words, only being able to speak up with a mumble. "Clean…slate?"

"Yes. With my powers of divinity, mystery, and insight, I could see beyond the realm of the world we live in, and by chance, I stumbled upon the world of Spoletta. I'm not quite sure how or why, even now, but I saw not only his world but what humans within that world are capable of." The Lady leaned back into the lake, putting a hand to her concealed chin as if educating a student. "The winds of magic originate from the realm of souls and, in turn, the chaos gods themselves, and it's through those magics that people here can call up on the magics to bend to their will, especially with the help of Gods like myself. And unlike our world, Lyle's world has next to no exposure to these winds…leaving their magical ability empty…hollow…yet with that emptiness comes opportunity."

The Lady then held up a golden grail in her hand. "Imagine this grail if you would was much like a person. Most people who have magical potential have the opportunity to delve into a specific form of magic, usually due to their environment or the specific winds of magic they have been exposed to; this is especially true for humans who don't have the magical affinity or long lives of elves. In short, their potential is already filled like this grail, slated if you would, for what they could do, even if they could become exceptional in that specific affinity. But, imagine if you would…if someone had a clean slate…a slate that could be molded and shaped if given the proper magical exposure…from a Goddess."

With realization now settling on her, Morgiana only became more confused, furrowing her brow. "But…if this is all true, how did he wind up with the necromancers? How is he so excellent with necromancy despite what you've told me?"

"Because…one of the wretched dark Gods chanced upon my plan. I should have known that plans like mine would have been an open book for the Changer of Ways." The Lady behind her mist sighed, almost looking regretful. "I believe that Tzeentch and Kemmler made a deal before the Lichemaster's death. Kemmler would have a successor should his death come to pass, and Tzeentch would rob me of a champion. I know not of the specifics of this deal and why Kemmler would take it in the first place, but the result was all the same. Tzeentch robbed me of a champion and created a threat within Bretonnia, leaving us incredibly vulnerable to the inevitable invasion of chaos."

"...and Alvin is what? Lyle's replacement?"

"Precisely. When I summoned Lyle and realized that he was robbed of me, I immediately summoned someone else who held his potential, someone who, through some strange coincidence, knew of our world, unlike Lyle, who held a great appreciation of my nation. Alvin."

"But…then why summon Lyle in the first place? If you were aware that he would have a great deal of misgivings about how Bretonnia functions and is structured, then why not go for Alvin first? Why choose someone who would create divisions within our nobility structure if given the opportunity to ingratiate himself with the masses? Though I've heard how other nobles turn their nose at Alvin for him being a foreigner, they respect him for the respect he has for our Brettish culture."

Once again, the Goddess hesitates, letting the mist dangle before her, concealing her thoughts to even the chosen woman who acts in her name. Eventually, she speaks. "When we end the threat that Lyle poses toward Bretonnia, I will tell you. There is only so much time I can afford before you must return to deal with the consequences of my actions. Know this however, Morgiana, that whether he realizes it or not, Lyle is doing the bidding of the Chaos Gods as we speak. The magic that I intended to give Lyle when summoned here has been corrupted not just by Tzeentch himself but by the necromancy that Naggash concocted so many years ago. It's almost as if a new wind of magic was created through this unholy union, and with Tzeentch's prodding, the new Lichemaster will unleash it upon this land I have dedicated my entire being to protect and preserve."

Despite the whirlwind of thoughts and implications storming in her mind, Morgiana nodded, suppressing a sigh. "I…I understand, My Lady."

"And one more thing. No one must know about the true origin of Lyle being here." The urgency within the Goddess's voice from beyond the mist sent chills down Morgiana's spine. "If the people were to learn that it was through my mistake that Lyle was brought here…"

The Fay Enchantress pursed her lips. "...then the people would lose faith…and such a lack of faith would destroy us before the Chaos Gods ever could."

The Lady nodded, even as the mist around her thickened ever so slowly. "No one must know, Morgianna. Not a soul beyond you."

It did little to soothe the Enchantress's nerves since it was obvious that the Raven would know. He had to know if he intercepted Lyle to make him his puppet. Even worse was that now, she now had to look at Spoletta in a completely different light. Beyond just a simple upstart foreigner from a different world altogether, this was wreaking havoc on the bond between nobles and peasants. No. He was a mistake now. An error of her Goddess's making. A mistake that was not at all his fault.

And now he had to die for Bretonnia to live. To survive the coming of an Everchosen.

"...My Lady…is it necessary for Lyle to perish to end the threat he poses to us?" What was she saying right now? Was she actually questioning her Goddess? "Is there a way we could simply neutralize the danger he poses and send him back to his worl-

"With the taint of the Raven on him, even if I were to somehow send him back… there's the chance it could doom his world with even the slightest bit of exposure. I've already committed one error, it would be beyond selfish to doom another world because of another…no. It is regrettable, but…" The Lady then began to sink back into the lake. Her form slowly melded back with it.

"...Spoletta must die."

"Remember. Send a letter the moment he wakes up. Only reason I'm not takin' him with me is because I trust my cronies to be more inclined to cut him open and turn him undead unlike you guys."

High Priestess Katrine couldn't help but let out a huff of amusement even if she nodded sagely. "I assure you, we've taken an oath not to harm anyone, only if they intend to do harm upon us…even then, we could only bring about so much harm compared to others."

They were both within the Apothecary wing of the temple, where the sick or the wounded were brought to either be tended to or rest, depending on their ailments. Here, Rudy slept in a cot without a trace of the chaos and corruption that once polluted his body, mind, and soul. He was utterly free of the taint that had been forced upon him, and it was at this point just a wait as to how long it would take for him to wake up.

It was a healing coma that the sisters of the cloth called it. Lyle was familiar with the term, but it did little to satisfy him about how long it would take for the young boy to eventually wake. Sadly, he couldn't afford to stick around, not with three armies breathing down his neck. He had people that depended on him, and even Lyle had to admit he burned a good bit of time helping Rudy when he could have been preparing the defenses at Castle Bastonne.

He didn't regret his decision, just that he could recognize the downsides of it. "Just keep an eye on him. Keep me updated of any changes n' all ya know?"

"I will." The priestess nodded, a gentleness in her voice.

Lyle stood there for a moment, looking at the peaceful face on Rudy's face before he looked around him, seeing the many other sick and wounded men, women, and children that were lying down in cots or sitting up and looking at him with wary looks or outright wonder. The priestesses that had been determined to stay at arm's length with the necromancer now looked at him in a different light after seeing him personally cleanse chaos corruption.

After noticing how differently he was being reacted to, Lyle looked back at the priestess. "Say…you guys having any trouble running this place?"

Katrine tilted her head, raising an eyebrow. "Are you questioning our ability?"

"Wha-no, woman! I-

"It is alright. I'm only jesting." The older smiled wryly.

"O-oh. Damn, okay, ya got me." Lyle stammered before smiling realizing just how much he had on his mind to miss that, surprised by the sudden levity. "I was just wonderin' if you needed any help, donations, protection. You seem to be doin' good work here, and it's the least I can do for helping me with Rudy."

"We did little. It was you who did most of the legwork in purging the chaos corruption, something that I can attest to be incredibly difficult." Katrine's smile was motherly. "But, I will not say no if you truly wish to donate to my chapel. Almost all assistance that you can offer will be accepted with open arms. These are dark times, after all."

Lyle chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Hope that's not all on me, what with me fighting against the Brettish nobility."

"Surprisingly, no, the blame cannot all be laid at your feet, young Lyle. Though you have created instability throughout the kingdom, the burdens built upon my temple have existed even before your arrival. Beastmen raids, greenskin incursions, and rumors of other creatures creating havoc in the south, the land has seen grave danger as of late. I do not believe we are ready for danger, especially with the beastmen." The smile on the High Priestess's face wavered, concern lining her face, betraying her age. "When I saw how afflicted your friend was with chaos, it was only a reminder of how prevalent the dark taint has become these days. Those with chaos afflictions have become more prevalent, and though some are treatable, others have fled into the forests, feeling they have no choice but to make common cause with the beastmen, lest they get killed by their fellow men."

Lyle winced at the news, feeling that things were already pretty rough for people he had yet to meet, but seeing and hearing it from the horse's mouth only made him realize just how much chaos was rendered throughout the lands.

Lyle glared, shifting his mouth. "Well, I can promise you this. Once I get some breathing room, much of that will change. Those goat-headed bastards aren't gonna have the free reign that they once had, I can promise you that."

"I appreciate your enthusiasm, Lord Spoletta, I truly do. And I can see now that you're no charlatan parading around as a merciful necromancer. You truly are, despite how utterly mad that sounds, I cannot deny what I have seen in the short time I've known you…and for how you helped get justice for Ave."

Lyle stilled for a moment. "She told you?"

"While you were personally tending to Rudy after purging his corruption, yes." Her eyes shifted around to see that eyes were still on them, and she extended an elbow. Would you walk with me, Lord Lyle? Somewhere without as many ears?"

Catching onto her gesture and feeling slightly surprised, Lyle nonetheless didn't miss a beat. He remembered Deni's actions from earlier and acted on them by taking her arm and allowing her to lead him through the halls of the temple of Shallya, making their way through as they eventually traveled down more sparsely populated hallways.

"She wanted to cry." Katrine said through a voice that was bordering on shaking. "She wanted to cry as she recounted the…horrors visited upon her. About what those vile…no. To call them men is a disservice to men. Those creatures." Lyle felt the woman clasp his hand, and though she was older, there was strength in the anger that she felt, and Lyle didn't resist it. Even he felt angry just remembering it. "She told me how you brought many to justice for what they did. For striking down nobles who turned slaver. For improving the lives of those who never experienced such kindness from their betters. For that, I am grateful."

"Not all of 'em,'" Lyle grunted, his eyes narrowing as they continued to walk down the corridors. "Didn't get all of em'. The two peasants who did the deed, I still haven't found em', but when I do…"

"Normally, I am not one for violence upon other living, breathing creatures. But, if you feel it is what you must do…and if it is away from my eyes, I will not stop you. May Shally forgive my soul."

"I think she'll excuse that this time."

"It was one of my greatest fears." The woman sighed. "I tried telling Ave repeatedly about the dangers that a girl like herself could experience that a man would not. Yet she would not hear it. She was so determined to help others, to help her people, and though I was remiss with her defiance, I was…strangely proud of her…to now hear what has happened and how she's determined to still keep helping others despite her con-

Lyle held a clean rag that he had inside his coat and handed it to the woman, who graciously accepted it to dab the tears streaming down her cheeks.

For a moment, they both stood there, not saying a word, and mercifully, no one else was around to see the moment.

After a moment, the matronly woman took a deep breath and closed her eyes before turning to the necromancer. "Lyle…should you survive the coming days, and I will pray to Shallya that you do despite your magical affinity…I will hope and pray further that the kindness that you've shown to others will continue for years to come."

Lyle only nodded, knowing that was all needed, as they stood silently again. "I uh…Once I get things in order, I'll see about sending those donations. Work out some kinda deal, I'll figure it out." Eventually, Lyle let go of the woman's arm and made to leave. "Make sure Rudy's good… I'd like to stay and talk, but I got a schedule to keep u-

"Actually, Lord Lyle, before you leave, there is something that I need to touch on with you." Katrine affirmed, getting control of the emotions that threatened to overwhelm her only a few moments ago. Regarding donations, I would appreciate it if none of them would be the ill-gotten goods you're acquiring from the chapels of The Lady. It would be poor form for me and my covenant to accept your sacrilegious gains."

For once since the healing of Rudy, did he feel utterly perturbed and then irritated by the High Priestess, turning an upturned eyebrow toward her. "Seriously? What, you're not interested in the bog-witch's hoarded treasures that's gathered uselessly in her chapels?"

Katrine closed her eyes and pinched her brows in irritation. "I was hoping that this rumor of you having a vendetta against the Lady was untrue, but it seems that even some rumors have a nugget of truth."

"Oh, this ain't just a nugget. There ain't any love loss between me and the Lake witch." Lyle groused, his placating and sympathetic mood ruined by the mere mention of the Lady. "You'll have to excuse me if I find it hard to agree with a Goddess that's a big part of the reason why things are the drizzlin' shits within this country so many claim to be proud of."

"I won't disagree that there are legitimate misgivings to be made against the state of affairs with Bretonnia and that my fellow countrymen could learn a thing or two from our neighbors in the Empire. That being said, you won't win yourself over all of the peasants in the land if you disparage the Lady so openly, Lyle Spoletta. I'm not saying that all peasants worship the Lady so fervently; some are even barred from doing it in the presence of nobility, as twisted as that may be. But, many still see her as a sign of protection and inspiration from the cruel and rigorous life that they must endure every day-

"-which she has a direct responsibility for because of this chivalric code garbage that I've heard so much about." Lyle interrupted with disdain. "Way I see it, pilfering those chapels is a way to give back to the people who never had anything, to begin with, and you'd have a better chance getting these nobles to feel sorry for being assholes than getting me to think that what I'm doin' or sayin' is wrong."

Realizing that he was quite firmly set on this issue, the priestess tried a different tactic. "Tell me, Lyle Spoletta. What is your endgame?"

"My endgame? What, you mean when I've completely run rough-shod over the country, booted King Louis off his throne, and started changing things on the big scene?"

"If you could manage that…yes? What will you do with any worship of the Lady?"

"Oh, that's simple. I'll ban her ass, poof, she'll be gone. Done-zo. Vapor, as people back home would say. Way I see it, the moment I start improving things around here is when people realize they don't need the bog-witch. They realize they don't need her, and how good I can make it for em', people will start dropping her like a bad habit."

Realizing that she wasn't going to get through to the headstrong young man through conventional means, Valentine tried a different tactic. "Tell me, Lyle. Do you personally worship any Gods?"

His snort was quite derisive. "As if."

"So then tell me, when you were cursing up a storm during the rather stressful events from earlier today, why was it that you were taking one man's name in vain quite vigorously? What was his name?...Jesus?"

For once, the priestess had Lyle on the backfoot, and he winced before rolling his eyes. "I was taught to worship the J-man. Didn't really stick to me as I got older."

"I see. Tell me, Lyle, were you taught to worship this Jesus because of your family?"

"Is there a point to these questions?"

"Please. Just indulge me."

Huffing, Lyle threw up his hands. "Yeah, it was mostly my Ma. She wanted a good catholic family, and a part of that came from singing our hymns and praises to Jesus Christ, Lord be his fuckin' name. What about it?"

"Let's say if the positions were changed, shall we? Though you clearly don't care for the God you were taught to worship, would you force your mother or other members of your family to do the same?"

Lyle was about to retort when hesitation filled his lungs, halting his words. The idea of forcing his Mom to do anything suddenly turned his legs to jelly and put a rather repugnant feeling in his guts at the mere thought.

Trying to save face, Lyle shrugged. "Not like I could do anything to change my Ma's ways. She's old-fashioned."

"Then I'm sure you can imagine how well that would go over for much of the populace of Bretonnia. I have no illusions that someone as headstrong and determined as you may succeed in your goals, but the question has to be asked? How many people do you believe would die before you eventually succeeded? I'm sure you know full well that it wouldn't just be nobles who would perish."

Valentine pressed onward, striking while the iron was hot, seeing even more of a disconcerted look on Lyle's face from the truth that she was speaking.

"I'm not saying that I agree with all of the Lady's tenants, Lyle, but you must understand. Before the Lady was here, the lands of Bretonnia was a land filled with violence, anarchy, and terrors, wreaking death and havoc. Greenskins, Beastmen, servants of chaos, and the undead all had free reign through the land, until Gilles Le Breton, with the blessing of the Lady, brought the land to right, and it is with that continued blessing that it has remained that way. The people here worship the Goddess for the same reason I worship Shallya. Because Goddesses like them bring us assistance and solace when we need them the most, albeit in different ways." The priestess then looked at Lyle fiercely, with a matronly countenance. "In the Empire, many with and without the land of Reikland worship their man-made God Sigmar Heldenhammer because he accomplished feats that few men could and unified the Empire of men. North of Reikland, many worship Ulric to have even a fraction of his strength and courage to endure the many trials that come to their land. You may not care for Gods, but here, they can be the difference between life and death. Every. Single. Day. If you were to spit on that, you would spit on the foundation of what the men and women here believe in to make it through just another day."

It was another one of those times when Lyle found himself short on words. Simple words couldn't counter any of the points she had just rattled off, and he was fond of saying anything and everything he could to get under people's skin. The worst part was that he couldn't refute her claims out of pocket. Lyle had seen firsthand how horrible life could be if you were unlucky enough. Hell, even if you were lucky, there were the many inhuman threats just around the corner. The fact of the matter was that on top of being a backward nation, these people needed something to believe in, and they didn't have the luxury of being able to turn away the help of a very real Goddess who could imbue people with the equivalent of superpowers.

But what if he could cHAnGE that?

Valentine's eyes widened when she saw a faint glimmer of blue behind Lyle's eyes when he frowned tightly toward her. "I'll take your words under advisement. Now, if you don't mind, sista, I've got a castle to save."

Turning on his heel, Lyle briskly made his way out of the temple, leaving the priestess to worry about the future of the nation she called home.

In the end, she could only pray to merciful Shallya that all would be well, even if there was doubt in the back of her mind.

"Enchantress?...my fair Enchantress, are you well?"

Morgiana blinked, having finished speaking with the Lady herself, finding herself right where she had been, Riding her noble Unicorn, Silvaron, at the head of the army with Repanse De Lyonese herself. Realizing that she most likely had been staring off into nothingness, the blonde-haired beauty smiled amiably. "Worry not, Repanse. I was in communion with the Lady."

A look of excitement crossed the warrior woman's face, barely able to contain it. "D-did you now? I would ask what you discussed, but I…no, it would not be proper."

No, it would not. And Morgiana would never betray what she shared with her even upon the threat of death, but it would do to at least give a half-truth, in this case, to one of the most loyal and ardent servants of her Goddess. "She was simply discussing with me the danger that Lyle Spoletta posed and that he must be eliminated. Nothing more, nothing less."

Her words seemed to do the trick as the hardened determination roared its way back onto the expression of the Lioness. "A threat that will not last for much longer. Even now, as we cross the border into Bastonne from Carcassonne, the end of this necromancer's heinous rein draws closer. He may have bested Bohemond through, no doubt, some dark trickery, and magics, but we will not make the same mistakes!"

"Do not underestimate him, Repanse." Morgiana chided gently yet firmly. "One of the reasons Lyle was able to defeat Bohemond was through the use of gunpowder, usually unheard of by necromancers in the Old World. He is no doubt marshaling his strength even as we speak, but he will have no easy escape to victory this time, especially since King Louen is marching from the North."

"Then he will be pinned on two sides." Repanse nodded with martial eagerness only to frown. "Still. If there is anything to be learned from my many battles, it's that a cornered beast is a dangerous one. He will fall, no doubt, but he will take many lives with him if he becomes desperate enough."

Morgiana was about to verbally agree with her when the forward scouting party approached them, led by none other than Repanse's right-hand man, Henri Le Massif. The knight came forward with a speed that betrayed urgency as he held a paper in his right hand. "Repanse! And my Lady!" The knight said with a bow toward the Enchantress as he spoke. "We made contact with the village of Brunoy as requested to see if we could not get any information about any undead forces in the area or news."

"Wonderful to hear! And they were unharmed when you found them?" Repanse said with concern for her fellow peasants. "How many were sick and wounded? They must have been relieved to finally see the Knights of Bretonnia to finally come to their aid."

Henri said nothing momentarily before riding forward and handing Repanse a parchment. "They were…unharmed, m'lady, but I fear we have a different problem altogether. It was…most unusual, I must admit."

"Whatever do you mean?" Before she went further, she read the parchment she had been given and paused with confusion when she saw the big yet direct words written on it.

'Make Bretonnia Great Again.'

Repanse could only look utterly lost. "You found this in the village?"

Henri nodded. "I'm not sure what it implies, but I found it from a villager. As I was asking around for information about the undead forces, I couldn't help but notice that the villagers were very unharmed. Not just unharmed but with more cattle, pigs, and other farm animals than one their size would normally have after the tax. That and…they looked nervous upon the sight of us. They weren't surprised, but the peasants were not pleased, even though some attempted to look as such to not draw our ire."

This only perplexed Repanse before she fully understood the implications. Having once been a peasant herself, she knew that was precisely what her fellow folk would do when they knew or had done something that would draw the ire of their liege Lord.

"And…this parchment?"

"As I said, I managed to nab it from a peasant who had been trying to hide it in his hut. After we pressed him, however, he gave us it along with a store that had a few others like it. When I asked what it meant, he went silent."

Both turned their heads when they heard Morgiana speak with anger and disappointment in her divine voice. "It means these peasant's loyalties have been bought." When both Repanse and Henri looked at her in confusion, Morgiana elaborated. "It's as I've mentioned to you before, Repanse. Lyle Spoletta is not just powerful but devious. He has been giving the peasants false promises with the idea of lifting them up beyond their social status and curbing the nobility of Bretonnia, looking to buy them with ideals of grandhood while using them to his own benefit. He is a charlatan of the highest order and uses his deviance to turn Bretonnia against itself." It was not entirely the truth since Morgiana knew that Lyle meant what he said, but again, Half-truths were needed to keep as little doubt as possible from Repanse's mind.

Thankfully, it seemed to have worked as shock and outrage filled Repanse's expression. "And they are so willing to believe the necromancer's lies and falsehoods!?" Righteous indignation flooded her veins as her voice became more hardened and girdled. "Are they unaware of what this man has done to their liege lord in Bohemond De Bastonne, one of the most righteous grail knights in the land?"

Henri tentatively shook his head. "I didn't have the chance to ask them, m'lady. Half of my scouts are keeping an eye on things in Brunoy as we speak."

Turning a hardened look toward Morgiana, albeit with a bow, Repanse grits out. "Enchantress. With your permission, I would like to ask these people myself. To see how and why they could be led astray so easily."

Morgiana tentatively agreed, only because she wanted to see how this had all come about so quickly. She knew that Lyle would have some pull with the common people with how he acted, spoke, and appeased them, but it hadn't been that long ago when he conquered Bastonne. Surely there was some unholy magic at play here?

…or maybe this was the work of his new magic born of the unholy union of Gods.

Eventually, the three, along with a large group of knights, approached the village, which did indeed seem to have a surplus of farm animals, in the form of cows and pigs, certainly more than what the tax would allow. Even more, telling was the guilty, frightened, and in some cases hostile looks that were directed their way from the people who had been herded onto one side of the village, filled with men, women, and children all now suddenly gasping and eyes widening once they chanced upon seeing Morgiana in all of her magical and holy glory.

When the three standout Bretonnians stood in front of their very unwashed counterparts, many bowed their heads and didn't look upon their 'betters' as was expected, yet Morgiana couldn't help but note that there were some brave souls who defiantly kept their heads up, surprising even Repanse, who cleared her throat and spoke.

"My people…I am Repanse De Lyonese, perhaps you have heard of me!" When some heads of recognition flashed in their faces, she continued, her voice hard and loud. "If you have heard of me, then I'm sure you have heard that, in actuality, I am one of you! One of you who held nothing but faith for our Dear Lady when Bretonnia was going through a crisis, with chaos invaders coming upon the shores of my homeland and other parts of Bretonnia! It was with that faith and the courage of good men that I drove those invaders back to their shores! And after such deeds, my work continued, drawing my sword against the threats within and without this beautiful country of ours!" Seeing her words' effect on those who once shared her status, Repanse got off her horse until she was at eye-level with them. "So tell me. Tell me why is it that my knights chanced upon this parchment." Repanse ground out, holding the parchment in question. "Tell me why you have words that apparently are sung by the wicked Lyle Spoletta? Have you perchance been seduced by his words? By his promises? By his deceitful lies? What does this even mean, I wonder? Make Bretonnia Great Again? Are these his words? Does he imply that Bretonnia is no longer great? Do you believe in such a lie?"

For a moment, not a single peasant said a word. That moment then turned into a long while as feet shuffled and glances turned downwards, nobody daring to say a word or refute these claims to draw the wrong kind of attention.

It only earned more ire from Repanse, supplied by Morgiana, who looked disdainfully at the peasants. "You not only disappoint one of the greatest heroes that have protected this land for those like you…you disappoint the Fay Enchantress, the voice for the Lady. Are you all satisfied with holding your tongues like this? Are you all satisfied with allowing a dark and wretched beast of a man who is-

"If Spoletta is a beast, then what are you two wretched harridens?" A stunned shock rippled throughout the village when the words were screeched from within the group of peasants. The two women who had been called out felt their eyes widen at being so brazenly insulted, and Morgiana was about to use her divine voice to demand the offender show themselves.

She needn't have bothered, however, when a woman who looked to be in her mid to late thirties shoved her way to the front of her fellow. She was a woman who, much like many other peasants, wore a conglomeration of rags that made up her clothes, had no shoes, with chestnut-colored hair, and tired but furious-looking blue eyes.

Though taken aback, Repanse did not back down, glaring at the woman. "And who are you to call us harridans when it's becoming clearer to all of us that you are turncoats of the worst kind?"

"Oh? Forgive me, then; what name would you prefer? Harlots? Whores of the Lady, who allowed this wretched shite to fall upon us for years? Who are you to accuse us of anything!?" The woman yelled, which rankled the knights behind the women, with some even hovering their hands near their swords.

"If I were you, I would choose your next words carefully." Morgiana spoke firmly, her voice amplified to the point where it carried throughout the village, shaking the insides of many. "Those who clearly and openly throw their lot in with the likes of Spoletta and speak down on the servants of the Lady will not be long for her land."

"Then hurry up and kill me then! I'm sure you have more people to brutalize and peasants like me to sell into slavery like so many others to the knife ears! God forbid I prevent you bastards from having your way like you have for so long! Do it then! Kill me now!"

Morgiana was taken aback by the sheer venom in the woman's voice and how little regard she had for her own life, with even some knights given pause from such vitriol. Repanse was as well, but she scrunched her face at a certain point in her words.

"Slavery? Knife ears? Are you referring to the elves? What are you on about?"

The woman laughed. It wasn't a joyous laugh. "Oh, don't you play dumb and pull the wool over our eyes! We've seen your lot's true faces! You're not fooling any of us, not anymore, nor anyone in Bastonne!"

Repanse wanted to shout back at the raving woman even as many other peasants gave her warning or, in some cases, sympathetic looks. The Lioness realized she was missing something here. "Madam…tell me what are you referring to, I know not what you speak of."

The woman scoffed but spoke nonetheless as if she wanted to spew it all out to begin with. "Five years ago, people in our village started disappearing. Some were stolen away in the night, while others were openly taken by what we thought were just mounted bandits at the time. We complained to our liege Lord, who literally maimed our messenger for daring to bring up the idea that he couldn't protect us. For years, this went on until finally…Lyle Spoletta defeated Duke Bohemond…and one of his necromancers brought us a list." She then turned back to her peasants. "Bryant! Get the damned list! Now!" Her shrill voice spurred a balding peasant to fumble into his coat, still fearful of the knights before him but apparently with enough courage to give a list to the raving woman who snatched with no small amount of anger. Stomping forward to the Repanse, the woman shoved the detailed and neatly written paper, which did indeed have a list on it. "I may not be able to write or read, but the necromancer who brought this was kind enough to read it to us! He pointed toward every single name that he read off…and how much money our damnable liege lord made off of them when he sold em' to the knife ears!"

Tentatively, Repanse took the paper from the woman, squinting her eyes and finding a sense of horror growing through her as her eyes swept through names and numbers that she could see. She had once been a peasant herself, but with help and tutoring from people like Henri Le Massif, the words came to her easily, just as they did any learned noble.

It was moments like these that the Damsel of War wished that she was no longer cursed with such knowledge as she verbally read out what she saw so that the army could hear it.

"Odi, 19 years old…25 silver. Stu, 5 years old…45 silver." Repanse heard chatter and disbelieving gasps begin to break out behind her, with even some of her most hardened veteran knights looking uncomfortable at one another. It made sense since they didn't have any overt hatred or disdain for peasants like so many other nobles. It would be hypocritical since they followed her, after all. "Meli, 24…34 silver. Anette, 9…41 silver." Repanse was starting to feel queasy, the implications roiling in her gut like unsteady waves. The next one, however, made her one to hurl. "Maude, 15 and with child…1 gold piece and 13 silver." Repanse shakily lowered the list, shaking her head. "By the Lady."

"How can this be?" Henri mumbled in horror. "How…how could this have gone on this long under Duke Bohemond's gaze? He was one of the most peerless dukes in all of the land!"

"Heard he was a mighty warrior, but the necromancer that came here said it was his steward who really ran things!" The peasant woman growled, stalking back and forth like a feral animal. "Said whenever our dear ol' duke was gallivanterin' around n' killin' beasts, his steward made a profit off of all o' us, like we were animals!" She then pointed a finger at Morgiana Le Fay, who stared at all this information with a slightly parted mouth and wide eyes. "And you! You, you, you! You're the Fay Enchantress, aren't ya? The Lady' erself in the flesh as you said! Where were you when we needed ya? Where were ya when we were bein' sold off like chattel n' whatnot? All that talk about chivalry, just that? Talk?"

"Watch your tongue, peasant!" Morgiana's eyes glowed a frightening green. Her voice echoed through the land as many peasants and even knights quailed at her sudden wrath, the woman's face going hard. "Do not forget your status as I do not forget mine! Are you so quick to think that this may be the true fate of those who were supposedly stolen away from your village? That parchment could be a falsification for all we know?"

"Hah! Falsification or whatever it is she just said!" The woman scoffed, showing no fear in the face of the Lady's wrath. "False, how? Tell me how? How could that necromancer or Lyle Spoletta, may the Gods praise his name, fake this shite? Nobody knows any of us in our little village! Only our liege lord did, and he's the one that made off like a true bandit in the night of our loved ones!"

"The details did seem quite…particular and specific." Henri conceded slowly. "To know the villagers' names, age and…pregnancies isn't just any information that anyone would have access to. It's a level of detail that most lords wouldn't care to record…yet the liege lord here did."

"Allegedly." Morgiana interrupted, casting a glare towards Henri, who wisely shut his mouth. "This is the work of a necromancer, and thus, it cannot be trusted! This is a man who seeks to supplant King Louen Leoncur, your chosen King-

"Oi, wait a minute!" One peasant man bravely stepped forward, a gaunt man with a scraggly beard. "What's this all about choosin'? Oi certainly didn't choose em'! An' seein' how me damned WIFE was on that list, Oi'd say he's doin' a shite job at protectin' us like he's supposed ta!"

A few grumbles and 'Yays' rang out from the peasants, the wounds of losing their loved ones now being reopened. Glares were leveled toward the knights and the Fay Enchantress.

Morgianna opened her mouth only to realize just how tense the situation was becoming. The problem here was that Morgiana knew that there was a perfect chance that the list was legitimate because she had learned through communion with another damsel about the slave trade that had been festering in Bastonne and hesitated to tell Repanse and her army about the truth of the matter.

Why? Because of what she saw on the Damsel of War's face, which looked incredibly conflicted. This was always a risk she knew because of Repanse's history as a peasant, and by the Goddess Morgiana knew that if something wasn't done now, that doubt could become dangerous; a poison that could fester and infect the rest of the army.

She needed to nip this in the bud as her voice raised again. "IF…and I mean if what you say is true and this is a malpractice of slavery that hath been conducted by your Lord and other lords, it is not the fault of King Louen. It is the fault of your Lord, who I promise will be brought to justice once we have confirmed his guilt."

Though still shaken up by a slave trade built by Bastonian nobles, Repanse latched onto the idea that the Enchantress brought up and shook her head emphatically. "The Enchantress speaks the truth! On my honor, as a paladin, I will ensure that justice is meted out personally for those who have been wronged in your village! I will drag your soon-to-be former liege lord in chains here to face justi-

"Already been done!" Shouted the woman in the front. "Spoletta beat ya broads to the punch like always! Works fast, just the way we like it and not only made our dearly departed Lord Tristan swung from the gallows like the bandit he did! Hangin' just behind some of our hamlets, as a matter of fact! Even gave us some livestock as a beginnin' of a sorry he meant for us, even if none o' this is his fau-

"You let him hang your liege lord!?" Morgiana nearly shrieked.

"Let him!? He was brought to us by the necromancer! Let us stone em' and hang em' ourselves!"

Now that Morgiana and many of the other knights and paladins thought about it, they did see a corpse hanging limply off in the distance, though they hadn't given it much thought, considering they had more pressing concerns.

Morgiana, however, balked in anger. "You hung him yourself!? A Lord, without the approval of me or a higher-ranking lord!?" Now came the fury of the Lady. The winds themselves began shifting as the glow was no longer in her eyes but radiating throughout her body. "You play a dangerous game that will cost you everything, peasants!"

"You don't scare us, bitch!" The peasant woman growled. "Just you wait! Once Lord Lyle comes down here, he'll show you who's really righteous n' chivalrous! He beat Duke Bohemond n' he'll sort you out too!"

"L-lets stay calm! Everyone calm your tempers!" Repanse called out, trying to keep the peace in spite of how quickly everything was spiraling. "There's no need for bloodshed-

"They already have shed blood!" Morgiana intoned, floating above her unicorn like an avatar filled with righteous fury. "If you all kneel for forgiveness right now, I may only punish you slightly for your transgression for aiding and abetting the undead!"

The peasant woman spat at the ground, with at least a quarter of the peasants standing firm behind her. "All I have to say to that is what we were told Lyle shall do when he's put the realm to rights! Make Bretonnia Great Again!"

"MAKE BRETONNIA GREAT AGAIN! MAKE BRETONNIA GREAT AGAIN! MAKE BRETONNIA GREAT AGAIN!"

As the small group of peasants chanted the phrase, more and more of their compatriots joined in until soon the entire village was chanting the phrase, making their voices be heard in one unified voice.

They were angry, fed up, and worse, they fully believed in a man they could now rally behind to fulfill their wildest dreams.

Many knights felt nervous, understanding in and appreciating the danger of what these peasants were now considering which led many of them to wonder. How many other villages throughout Bastonne were feeling the same? How many were feeling quite as brave? How long would it be before even they were swinging from a noose?

Repanse understood the danger as well, but even she could appreciate the peasants' position…still, to go this far, it would-

The Paladin's thoughts halted in their tracks when a sudden gathering of green winds of magic coalesced around the raving woman who had shouted the Bretonnian army down initially as well as a few of those around her. Before she could utter a protest and before the woman who had led the rallying cry could blink, she and many others had suddenly exploded in a shower of blood, gore, and viscera that silenced the other peasants in shock and horror as some of the substance landed on them, frightening even some of the knights at the suddenness of it.

A terrible silence followed as Morgiana floated before the peasants, her vibrant green eyes quailing the common folk before her. "For uttering the mere idea of treason, I will only punish the most vocal of you. The rest of you will cut down, Lord Tristan. Refuse, and more will be punished for violating the Lady's tenants." When there was no reply or movement from the bewildered and horrified peasants, Morgiana amplified her voice. "NOW!"

Immediately, many peasants bowed their heads and scurried away with a small group, reluctantly yet slowly moving to cut down the liege lord, who had sold their own people into slavery. Morgiana didn't miss the dirty looks thrown her way, even if they now knew she could obliterate them with a flick of her hand.

It only made the burgeoning guilt within her chest grow like a weed.

But it needed to be done. Rebellion, especially with the arrival of an Everchosen now confirmed, was unneeded as it was dangerous, and though it was far cruder than she would like, she had to nip this in the bud. The Lady was right. Lyle Spoletta was dangerous beyond his magical power. And the longer he drew breath, the more peasants Morgiana might be forced to kill in the future. The ideas he sewed were almost akin to chaos corruption, for the ideas of secession he planted in the minds of the common folk had to be culled.

Thinning her lips, she turned to Repanse. "I know…that this was regrettable, but it was neces-

"Our army is ready to go, my Enchantress." Repanse's reply was short, respectful, and curt as she got back on her warhorse with practiced ease, her face tight. "You need only give the word."

Morgianna wanted to say more, but she didn't need the insight of her Goddess to know now was hardly the time or the place. Giving a tight nod, she re-saddled her unicorn and directed the army to leave the village, with many clearly glad to be done with the affair of being in the vicinity of it. Even now, the Fay Enchantress could feel the once zealous and determined morale of the front of the army turning sour and stifled at what they had witnessed for too many reasons to count.

Suddenly realizing how dangerous word of this would be, Morgiana turned her head to the right. "Henri Le Massif? Travel down the column and ensure that word of what happened here doesn't make it to our peasant contingent."

"...As you say, m'lady." The dour tone of the knight betrayed it all as he turned his horse around and did as he was commanded, only making Morgianna feel worse.

She knew she did the right thing. She knew what she had done was what was best for Bretonnia as a whole, as would be the many other acts she would have to commit to keep the realm whole and strong for the trials ahead.

It was a shame that such thoughts were of cold comfort as she eyed the now stoic face of Repanse De Lyonese, who seemed so lively only a moment ago.

A/N: Alright everybody we only have one or two more chapters until the fight of the story and the players are almost set. I'm just glad that I can now more or less clear up how exactly Lyle got here and the tomfoolery that led to him becoming the leader of the Barrow Legion right now.

Also as one of my reviewers pointed out, we now have over 200 reviews all thanks to you guys who offered me your concepts, insights or general comments that have helped me progress to become a better writer throughout these years so thank you very much! The black void in my chest has become quite satisfied with these reviews and the more to come!

On another note I'd like to hear why so many of you are such fans of the Grom the Paunch. I'm not upset or annoyed by it, I'm actually quite curious, since I'm inclined now to further include him in the story. It's just interesting to me is all.

With all of that being said, thanks for continuing to stick with the tale that I'm stringing out and as usual please leave your reviews as always, especially considering the plot reveals that have been dropped in this chapter.