Chapter 3: Family Ties
Deep within the bowels of Gringots, King Ragnuk could be found conferring with the Nation's soothsayers. In days past when Ragnuk walked the halls of his kingdom he was disturbed by the vibrations within the caverns. According to legend the connection between the goblins and silver could be used to warn the royal bloodline of changes in the Nation's fate. As he had passed deeper into the caverns Ragnuk grew concerned that the vibrations had escalated from dull and barely audible to a cacophony of sounds. Here in the home of the soothsayers he waited as the vibrations built into a roaring crescendo and he prayed to the ancestors that the Nation would survive whatever fate wrought.
The Nation's past had been bloody and brutal but they had survived at all costs. To the King's deepest regret, it had too often been kill or be killed. Elimination without hesitation, and with this mindset the Goblin Nation had thrived. Ragnuk was brought forth from his thoughts as the Soothsayer's chanting and the vibrations began to cascade to an end.
"What say the fates?" he questioned
"The fates remain infuriatingly obtuse, my King. Though certain is one thing, the tides of war will once again wage." Silverclaw replied. Before Ragnuk had time to delve into his thoughts on the matter there was a raucous in the hallway beyond. Signaling his guard to stand down, Ragnuk moved to open the door – this far below the surface there was little chance of an enemy ambush and if it was to be so… let it not be said that the Goblin King hid behind another's sword.
Beyond the door Ragnuk was intrigued to find a youngling racing through the halls as fast as their feet could carry, haphazardly knocking over plinths which were blessedly relieved of their treasures earlier that day for cleaning. "Breathe childe," Ragnuk spoke as he caught the child by the shoulders. "What news?"
"My lord, the Pendragon is here! She is here my lord! At the gates!"
Ragnuk reeled back in surprise. That the Pendragon had awoken could mean many things for both Great Britain and the Nation. Now whether or not her goals would be a blessing or spell disaster… that would need to be determined.
—-
Vivian quietly observed her surroundings as she was lead through the gates of Gringots. Noting the high podium style desks and the runic arrays carved into the floor surrounding them for both privacy and protection no doubt. Goblins were known to guard their treasures as closely as their secrets, with fierce determination and bloody blades. After all, it wouldn't do to dishonor not only the your clan but also the Nation if you could not protect your clients treasures as you do your own. As she walked the lobby her attention was captured by the tinkling sounds of a child's laughter.
Emerging from a corridor the the left Vivian watched a young boy no more than eight or nine bounce on his toes in excitement.
"Easy now 'arry, woun't want ye ta fall clear through tha floor!" His companion roared in laughter.
Oh to be able to experience the care free joy of childhood again, Vivian though as she continued her journey. Before long she stood before the mighty jewel encrusted silver doors of the throne room. Having traversed the cavernous halls of the underground, Vivian had felt the protection magic grow steadily stronger. Standing here now before the massive doors, that power was staggering. The intent based wards she detected were impressive to say the least.
Vivian stood before the doors and waited. She could feel the presence of the Goblin king in the room beyond and as the time continued to stretch on, so did her patience begin to stretch thin. Coming to a decision, Vivian adjusted her gown and began to gather her magic. Long before the magical races split into separate kingdoms each race had sworn fealty to the crowns and irregular fleas of the fact that separate nations had formed… the oath remained. It appeared to Vivian that the goblins wished to test her metal as it were. To make a monarch wait was a grave insult, one which she would not abide by.
From the corner of her eye Vivian could see the guards tensing as they felt her magic begin to manifest and wash over them; however, they were powerless to intervene. Her power was older and far more vast than any other on the isles, a boon of her long confinement. None could stand alone and survive if they chose to challenge her reign. Bringing her palm legal with the door she began to push through the enchantments woven around them until they shattered showering the area in glittery magical residue.
Pausing momentarily to watch as the magical residue dispersed Vivian once again gathered herself and threw the mighty doors open with a flick of her wrist. Head held high she proceeded the stumbling guards into the room, bypassing the goblin nobility that had gathered there. Approaching the assembled Kings Guard, she waited.
"You would dare to draw arms against your Queen?" She intoned.
"What proof do you provide to your claims, madam. Though you claim the Pendragon name I would see evidence before I decide whether or not to feed you to our dragon." Ragnuk snarled. The assembled court chortled with mirth as they gazed upon the scene.
Vivian smirked as she recognized the situation for what it was, a test. It stood to reason that there must have been others that ventured forth attempting to claim her title. Well, she would give them proof that was both terrifying and irrefutable. Closing her eyes she sought her connection with the Goddess. It took but a moment to find the iridescent green aura shimmering around her magical core which amplified and transformed her abilities.
Taking a deep breath she extended her arms before her and allowed her palms to face the cavernous ceiling. "Goddess… come to me," she murmured. Hearing the near silent gasps that echoed through the throne room Vivian opened her eyes to witness the spectacle. Billowing forth from her outstretched palms were the Mists of Avalon. Raising her gaze to meet the triumphant eyes of Ragnuk, Vivian allowed the Mists to surround the occupants of the room. Sensing the will of their Priestess the Mists quickly became opaque, causing the noise in the room to fall quiet.
Ragnuk and Vivian gazed at one another for a moment - the silence stretching on. Neither daring to move first. Finally Ragnuk bowed his head in acknowledgment.
"My Queen, the Fates bless us with your safe return. How may the Nation be of service?"
Smiling slightly Vivian was relieved that the formalities were coming to an end. "Great Goblin King, I require access to the vaults your people were charged with safekeeping. I would see what my descendants have left to assist me in restoring this realm."
Nodding his assent Garnuk beckoned her follow. Making his way around his throne, he murmured in Gobbledygook before slicing his palm and smearing the blood on a small rune etched into the surface. Accepting the sacrifice of the royal bloodline the back of the throne descended into the stone floor to reveal a long staircase.
"This is where we part my Queen. The vault below was enchanted to allow only those of Pendragon blood to enter, should you need anything you will request it from Account Manager Harfang - his office is directly across from the vault entrance."
Beginning her descent Vivian released her hold on the Mists allowing the occupants of the throne room to move freely once again. After traversing what she believed to be a mile under the throne room she appeared in a cavernous hall richly decorated in gold, crimson, and black obsidian. Recognizing the colors of the Pendragon family, Vivian strode directly to the door of the vault.
Inspecting the vault door she sensed the blood wards Ragnuk had mentioned moments before. Conjuring a knife of pure magic she slit her palm and placed it within the maw of the dragon effigy of the door. Allowing her blood to flow freely within, Vivian watched as the dragon slowly faded into the stonework and the door swung inward slowly. What she saw astounded her.
The Pendragon family was always very wealthy, one had to be if they were to rule. However, what she saw before her was nothing short of a miracle. Her descendent had been wise to have secreted such a vast fortune away. The room before her was filled with bars of enchanted mithril, the purest of alloys, and armour glittering about. In the center of the room a large fire roared within a copper basin, complete with a desk and a seating area before it to conduct private family affairs. Separated from the rest of the room by a magnificent mithril enclosure was a vast library which she assumed held the tomes of Avalon as well as Camelot. Vivian rightly assumed that this would see the kingdom rebuilt without making a dent in the family's fortune.
Venturing forth Vivian inspected the room further intent on inspecting the tapestry which covered the back wall. Vivian instantly recognized the family tapestry which was enchanted to record every birth both magical and mundane within the Pendragon line. Pausing at the names of her parents Rhodri and Margaret, Vivian felt a pang of loss. Beginning to trace her parents line Vivian noted that there were ten relatives whom still graced the world of the living. Humming to herself she took note of the names so that she could investigate them further at a later time.
Hearing her name being called, Vivian mad her way to the front of her vault to find her account manager waiting.
"Lady Vivian, allow me to welcome you. Please come with me, we have much to discuss." Following Harfang to his office, Vivian took a seat across from the massive desk before her. "Now, I assume you have questions; however, they will have to wait. There are matters which we must attend to immediately." Summoning ledgers from the wall behind him Vivian took note of the family names. "First and foremost, all but one of your court's families have survived. Two have fallen into disgrace for their crimes against humanity, a further two have forgotten their lineage and will need to be handled with care. Most concerning however, is one family which has committed the crime of treason for their crimes against their Heir."
To say Vivian was shocked would be a falsehood. Many things would change over thousands of years without the royals; however, she was saddened by the fall of many great lines. "Please, explain. Beginning with the families which are extinct or have committed treason to their bloodline."
Harfang pulled the tomes closer and began to flip through them, tracing the family accounts to find what he was looking for. "House Emrys has regretfully perished to sacrificial magics. Their sacrifice was in protection of the Pendragon bloodline. So long as Camelot remained hidden, so would the royal bloodline. Your bloodline was masked under a false name and records were altered - none but death would be able to determine whom came from your parent's line. As it stands the protection was broken days ago when you awoke, your bloodline is in danger. We must act with haste to secure it."
"Speak no further. I agree with your judgement, all other matters can wait. Tell me - whom is left of my family"
"Your line now resides in what is now known as Fowey, the town is both magical and mundane; however, the magical residents are hidden from the mundane. The town we will venture to is Ottery St. Catchpool."
