Scribed by Branwen
Spring
It is the eve of the Autumn council of Severn Temple as I write this journal, as it has been but a few days since I returned from Cad Gadu and the binding of my familiar. I have spoken with most of my sodales (save for Pyrrhus of course) to understand the events of the past two seasons, which I will set down as diligently as I can, although of course little relates to events that I have first hand knowledge of. There is one piece of news that I shall record at the end of the entry for Summer which I have not yet shared with my sodales, saving it instead for our council. It is not a tale I wish to recount more than once given its fell nature and the grievous error in judgement that the tribunal, and the majority of members of this covenant, have made. But I do not intend to tantalise the reader, for the matter is grave indeed, and I shall record the details where they rightfully fall in the chronology of this record.
My understanding is that the spring council was a fairly brief affair. Theoclea reported that she had been unable to locate the scrying ritual again over the course of the winter, but determined to try again during spring.
With the deal struck with the wizard Berenger our finances have been stabilised for a few years at least, though it seems clear that war is likely. While this will increase the value of our iron it will also mean that our expenditure on food and taxes will rise. Given this it was agreed by the council that no stipend would be distributed this year. Indeed, later in the season Pyrrhus reported that he had seen a grand host of warships in the harbour at Plymouth and we received news of a muster of forces at Gloucester.
Navius agreed to develop an enchantment for our ship as his service to the covenant, a fan that can summon winds into the sails. All others were about personal study, with Pyrrhus travelling to the King’s College to utilise the library there, and also to see whether that institution might have any maps that would be of value for Jari’s ongoing searches for henges.
Towards the end of the season the redcap Gaines paid visit and reported that Isabella had launched a fleet to secure a bridgehead for an invasion of France, as her claims on behalf of her son had been rejected by the French king. Mortimer, the new Earl of Gloucester, has been sent with that force as the Queen’s representative. He also reported that the magi of Euros Aquilae had launched their own investigation into the events that occurred with the renounced Pravia and my mater. Salistria cast the spell Eyes of the Past at the vis site identified within the trial, as it can only be harvested on one day of each year. They reported that there was no sign that Deanna had harvested them, but they reported seeing the berries blacken and shrivel as the night fell, falling to the earth. It was several hours after that when Pravia came to the site. Romanus has been asked to investigate what might have caused such an event, though he has made it clear that Deanna’s actions are not under investigation.
Jari also received letters delivered from Holy Isle and Borri-Tor, both concerning sightings of a group of suspicious individuals travelling around the north in the spring of last year, with the sigil of green flame which we know so well seen at the standing stones near the latter covenant, off a road north of a settlement called Bishop Aukland. The effect is believed to have been to summon a spirit of some kind to answer questions, but more information could not be discerned as an attempt to view the past was thwarted by a magical darkness that had been summoned when the original spell was cast. The letters indicated that something similar had happened at a site held by Euros Aquilae covenant, although the members of that covenant have not volunteered any further detail. The two sites are about 15 leagues apart and Jari has been told he is welcome to investigate the site held by Borri Tor. Jari decided that he would accept that offer and attend in Summer.
Summer
Theoclea reported that she had successfully recreated the magic to see distant magical sites. She believes that she has located another of the 12 great henges, which she believes lies close to the Cornish coast on a narrow peninsular. Creating an image of what she had seen Terentius was able to identify it as a promontory that he has seen from the sea, which lies close to St Michael’s Mount. She had also espied some other smaller sites, including the stone in Cumbria. Jari stated that he was keen to travel there but would not do so until after he had travelled to Borri Tor, a journey which Terentius agreed to accompany him on. Once again, all others had activities that kept them within the covenant and there was no further news to report at the council.
Jari and Terentius flew north, as it is a journey that Terentius has made before and he has marked the geography well, and were received at Borri-Tor by Minaxia and Pallus. They reported that the individuals who had raised their suspicions included armed men, with English as their first language, and they speculated that it might well have been wizards of the un-named House accompanied by at least half a dozen grogs. There has been some sickening of the vegetation at the stones since the incident and Cyrillus of Holy Isle had been asked to investigate. He has determined that there is no sign of any spirit at that place. Pallus agreed to accompany our sodales to the site, travelling about 20 miles to a single standing stone upon a barrow that is known as The Drake Stone, and where once a year they gather terram vis in the form of moss. There was no sign of any recent visitors and Jari was able to detect the sigil of the green flame himself, as well as many intellego spells that were identified as those cast by Cyrillus. As he made his investigations there was a minute or two were those present report that the wind suddenly became entirely becalmed and there was an eery silence about the place. The strange influence seemed to pass but then Races the Wind announced that something was not as it should be and a gloom began to settle the area, the shadows deepening and once again the wind becoming still. Jari and Terentius erected wards against the infernal and Terentius reported seeing within the gloom a stalking figure, which he described as best he could as having a spindly body and limp wings though he said that it was hard to recall the detail. He thinks he might have had an impression of an attractive woman’s face at one point but his memory seemed somewhat slippery and he swiftly lost sight of it. After about 10 minutes the gloom lifted and all returned to as it had been before. Jari wondered whether a demon had been set to interfere with any magical investigation of the place, and that might also be the reason that Cyrillus’ magic had yielded less information than one might have expected him to procure. They withdrew from the barrow to make camp for the night.
The following morning they returned to the barrow and Jari began to try and identify whether there were ley lines running to the stone. As he did so the wind died once again, a gloom began to settle upon the place and Races the Wind sensed some danger present. After erecting a ward against Demons using the wand, Terentius was once again able to espy the infernal creature and this time he was ready with a bag of the powder enchanted to strike such infernal entities. As he flung it at the creature there was a flash of white flame and he could hear it screaming as the ward was penetrated with some effect that their parma magica was able to resist. It launched itself towards them but this time the ward held strong and it was not able to pass beyond its bounds. Both my sodales then cast further bags of powder. Jari’s throw went astray but Terentius struck true once again and once more the devil screamed as it was encompassed by white fire, with some effect once again breaching the ward but resisted by the parma magica, though for a moment Jari reports that he felt his thoughte becoming crazed and disjointed. Races the Wind however suffered far more greatly and despite Jari’s attempt to calm him with the silver cord his familiar remained caught in the grip of some madness. It quickly became apparent that the second strike had successfully banished the demon but Races the Wind remained highly agitated and Jari had to trap him within his bag to prevent him from doing himself any harm. They retreated to their camp once more and even after the third day Jari was unable to restore his familiar to himself.
Terentius returned alone to the barrow and cast Sense the Lingering Magic once more. While still able to determine the spells of Cyrillus this time there was no sign of a green flame but rather the sigil of a fearful watchfulness, marking two infernal spells. One was similar to an effect involving Intellego, Rego and Vim and the other a ritual to speak with a demon. Returning to Jari, neither of them recognised this sigil but they speculated that it might be a wizard of the order who was seeking to cast blame upon the un-named House or perhaps someone seeking to imply the presence of the necromancer when in fact he had been elsewhere. Returning to Borri-Tor they reported what they had found and Quaesitor Romanus, who was now present, recognised the sigil as belonging to Magus Toby of Ex Miscellanea, who resides outside of covenant. Romanus was of the opinion that the matter was clearly no longer one for Holy isle and instead further investigation would fall upon him. He asked that our sodales accompany him as hoplites but Jari initially deferred as Races the Wind was still gripped by madness. Paullus suggested that he might find some aid from Magus Brychan of Ex-Miscellanea who has a reputation for magic to heal animals but in the event this was not required for the following morning Races the Wind was finally restored and thus both magi were able to depart with Romanus.
They initially travelled back to the barrow once more where Romanus was able to confirm Terentius’ discovery. Both he and Jari then cast Eyes of the Past, to look back at the day which Cyrillus had been unable to scry upon. This time there was no absolute darkness, the scene being set at night on a clear, starry night. They saw an elderly figure dressed in ragged clothes, that Romanus was afterwards able to confirm as bearing the visage of Toby. The man seemed weary, but as he came to the barrow he pulled a strange blade, long and thin, from his robes. Thereupon he drew the blade on across his palm and as the blood flowed he cupped it from one hand to the other while appearing to incant a ritual of some kind. From the shadows around the standing stone a figure appeared, a handsome man with a neatly trimmed beard. Jari thought initially that the gown he wore bore some similarity to robes that he had seen upon the masters at King’s College. The elderly figure of Toby then kneeled upon the ground before the other and they appeared to have a conversation in which Toby seemed to be pleading although the other figure was unmoved by his words. The conversation lasted for perhaps 10 minutes with the younger man dominating the speech for the latter part before he retreated into the shadows and disappeared once more. Toby rose to his feet and walked away, turning once to look back with a shudder before departing.
The three magi discussed what had been discovered. Romanus had also noted the robes the figure wore but did not recognise them. Spurred by Jari’s description Terentius recalled that a powerful demon was said to haunt King’s College in Gloucester, an entity of such power that even the Archimagus Astrius had been unable to best. However Jari was not certain and they agreed that the only thing that seemed certain was that the figure had been instructing Toby to do something on his behalf. Romanus said that he would travel to Euros Aquilae as he needed to determine if there was anything else to be learned there following these revelations. Our sodales then returned to Severn Temple although Terentius took the time to visit Kin’s College where he was able to determine that while there were perhaps similarities the robes worn by the presumed demon did not match those of the scholars there.
As they had been away for a little less than a month they decided to continue their service to the covenant by travelling to Cornwall to investigate the henge that Theoclea had magically espied. They travelled initially to Trevalga covenant and there learned that it was named Boscawen Un. The magi of that covenant also reported that they believed that they had identified a potential new infernal cult made up of some merchants and minor nobles, which went by the name of the Brethren of the Red Moon. These men had been involved in criminal activity but there had been some occult elements which they deemed worthy of further investigation, a task that Loraticus of Carrion Moor had embarked upon.
Travelling on to the peninsular they found a dark grey stone standing within tall grass, covered with moss and lichen. It lies upon the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea and they were able to determine that it stands within a 5th magnitude magical aura. Terentius was able to see the silver veil of a magical regio at the edge of the cliffs. There were no signs that anyone had been here in the recent past. Jari identified that there were two ley lines leading to the north east but also thought that he had seen another momentarily, as if out of the corner of his eye. He tried to glimpse through the mystic veil but was unable to do so and wondered whether there was some kind of resistance to detection present. Examining the stone more carefully he identified faded engravings on the side covered with moss and casting an enchantment was able to identify that there were similarities to the inscriptions he had found upon the Myddyn Stone and that in the centre there was a design representing a door or archway, which he has scribed a record of. Casting further spells he looked along the two ley lines that he had clearly identified and saw that one led to three small stones on the coast and the other to two small stones standing upon a barrow set within a field.
Jari then cast the spell he has developed to commune with standing stones, after first casting the Wizard’s Anchor so that he was not overwhelmed as he had been at Avebury. He reported that the stone three times said to him that there was nothing here for him and that it would not answer his questions. However, he was now able to see the third ley line which appeared to run towards the cliff edge. Again he cast a spell to look along it but this time his attempt was resisted and he felt a stinging in his eyes as his parma magica was challenged. He cast the enchantment Sense the Lingering Magic upon himself and could see some effect of ancient magic with a barely discernible sigil of two dragons circling each other, which he suspected was in place to stop prying eyes. Both he and Terentius recalled legends of a lost or hidden isle somewhere off the coast of Cornwall. Terentius then headed down to the shore and taking the form of a dolphin set forth in the direction that Jari had identified the ley line as leading in, while Jari continued his study of the stone. For three days he swam broadly west until he became aware of a deep abyss beneath the waves and felt a vibration that suggested to him that something very large was moving below him. Wisely he decided to turn back at that point and returned, reporting that he had seen no sign of land in the entire time that he had been travelling. Jari had identified that the stone seemed to have an affinity with both Terram and Ignem but no vis was contained within the moss or lichen upon it. He determined to continue his studies over the rest of the season, though it seems he learned little more save for speculating that perhaps the affinities he had identified might represent volcanic rock. He also wondered whether there was a path beyond the regio.
Terentius returned to Serven Temple with the drawings that Jari had made and spoke with Theoclea. She too had heard the tales of an island to the west of Cornwall, known in some as Avalon and others as Lyonesse. She had not seen anything of this within Myddyn’s memories but did recall that it was a mist covered island that it was reputed Myddin bore King Arthur as he lay dying. She also noted that it was said to be a sanctuary against the tempers of the world.
At the end of the season I am glad to record that I completed the task of binding my familiar, who has after some discussion given herself the name Gwyla. It is a strange process, where I feel there has been some fundamental changes to my nature although it is hard to clearly identify them. I do find that I am able to sleep with greater versatility than before, in much the same way that she does, but beyond that the changes are harder to define. What is clear though is the immense bond that I feel to her, and perhaps now I can finally understand why the loss of his familiar so affected Terentius. It has been a long year away from the matters that press us but one that I am glad I have taken. While the pain of losing Deanna has not passed it is a relief to find that my capacity for happiness has not been lost forever.
And it is to the matter of Deanna’s death that I must finally turn after my earlier foreshadowing. Shortly before I planned to depart to return home I was invited to meet with my Prima. Entering the council chamber of Cad Gadu I found her accompanied by Romanus. He initially related the events that I have already recorded in Gaines visit to the covenant and my sodales endeavours at Borri-Tor. That alone was news that gave me cause to consider something that Aetna had said to me at tribunal – that it seemed unlikely to her that Deanna would have harvested Euros Aquilae’s vis site if instructed not to by Lluddwyn, as she surely had been given that at the time my Prima was attempting to forge a more positive relationship with House Tremere. I also recalled Toby, who I met several times when an apprentice as he occasionally had dealings with Deanna, as well as having met at Cad Gadu on a couple of occasions after passing my gauntlet. He had always seemed a nervous man but not unkind, and it was hard to envision that he had dealings with the infernal. But the news to come was a greater challenge still. Romanus reported that he had travelled to Euros Aquilae and accompanied by Ereman investigated the stones there but found no sign of any devilish presence. The two magi, now accompanied by Argentius, continued on to the vis site where my mater had been slain and there Ereman identified a demon lurking where Pravia’s sigil had been found. Argentius destroyed it and Romanus again cast Eyes of the Past. This time the events were different from those he had seen before. He saw Deanna come upon Toby. Romanus said that he had a grave expression although Deanna did not seem overly concerned. They were walking together towards her cottage when he suddenly cast a spell against her, slaying her almost instantly. He then cast an infernally influenced Rego Mentem spell that Romanus believes was her spirit being trapped before it could travel on to her rightful place in the next world. He then destroyed her body. As he did these things it seemed to Romanus that he was speaking with some unseen presence.
And there we have it. Pravia was not guilty of the crime that all of us save for Naevius condemned her for. It was committed by a member of my own House, and one that Deanna and I had known for many years. Argentius was right. While I have no love for the recent dealings of House Tremere, and their more ancient crimes against my House are well known, a great wrong has been done and I feel shame for how easily my emotions have been manipulated. I have always considered myself a clear thinker, perhaps a little reckless on occasion, but not given to hasty judgements. How easily we fool ourselves as to who we are. How easily we are fooled.
Prima Lluddwyn does not know where Toby currently resides but she believes that he had moved north, and now wonders if he might have travelled beyond the tribunal border to Loch Leglean. Wherever he is she will seek him out as it is clear that she would have it be by her hand that he is slain. Why he has done what he has done is a mystery that she and I would like answers to but we must have justice, and vengeance. I have of course offered whatever aid she may require from me.
Branwen’s Private Journal: Lluddwyn is deeply concerned about why Toby has captured Deanna’s spirit. A few weeks ago, Blanche visited her and reported that she had a vision where she heard a woman’s screams in the presence of some dark entity that she suspected was a demon. Lluddwyn always treated Deanna as something of a confidant and fears that whoever is behind this, for it is clear that Toby has been set upon this task by an infernal other, is trying to learn her secrets. She also wonders whether it is the un-named House seeking information on what we’ve been doing at the Halls of the Forest. Whatever the purpose it is one that must be thwarted as swiftly as possible.
Autumn
The council began with Jari and Terentius’ tale from Borri-Tor and the further news arising from that which I have already recorded in this journal. Needless to say it was clear that for some at the council there was great discomfort, as well as anger, at what has happened. At one point in the conversation Jari recalled that Pyrrhus had previously encountered the demon at King’s College and asked if he could summon an image of the creature. Pyrrhus duly did so but it was clear that it had no resemblance to the figure that Jari had seen during his investigations in the north. There is little that we can do about what has already happened but I am confident I am not the only one who would be happy to provide any help in making Toby pay for his crime. Terentius will spend this season crafting more powders to assail demons.
Our sodales then related the details of their trip to Cornwall. Theoclea had spent some time in the latter part of summer looking for any memory that Mydynn might have had regarding the stone Boscawen Un but has not been successful thus far. She will continue to seek for it over the coming season. The query was raised by someone at council as to whether she with her lineage, or perhaps I in my position as queen of the land, might be able to persuade the stone to be more forthcoming. I am keen to continue to help Jari so I agreed that I would accompany him if he wished to return this season, which he agreed to. In truth Theoclea is concerned that getting memories from the stone is getting harder, perhaps its magic beginning to fade now it has been separated from the regio that once existed, and I can see she is eager to continue her studies while she can.
Both Pyrrhus and Naevius said they were engaged in magical study this season and the council ended with no further matters to report. Myself and Jari leave tomorrow.
Winter
There is less than a month to go before the return of Spring but Jari and myself have only just returned to the covenant. Such can be the nature of how time passes within a deep regio and that is indeed where we found ourselves, as I shall relate as soon as I have recorded the events that occurred within the covenant while we have been absent.
At the autumn equinox my consors Gwendolyn reported that as she and a small number of the turb were attending Samhain celebrations at the spring. There she saw a bright star in the sky, unusual in that it was both where no star is normally found but also with a tail, seemingly as if moving through the heavens. Identifying this as an ill omen, a harbinger of a calamity to come, she reported her sighting to Naevius who placed the covenant on alert that night. While there was no disturbance that night, or on the nights to follow, my sodales have discussed the omen at some length, for it was visible for many nights, only fading from view as the season turned. For all his many faults Pyrrhus has made no small study of astrology and said that he believed it was a warning of a great doom, and in his view associated with Mars and thus war. While the coming of the great plague may be the most obvious threat that we face, my sodales wondered whether it might be related in some way to the dispute between England and France, for apparently a similar stellar object was espied shortly before the Normans crossed the channel and conquered our isle. Our spymaster Stephan reported that there was much talk of this event amongst the mundane population with many speculations as to what it might portend, with the rumours including war between England and France, ruin for Scotland or a terrible harvest to come.
As the season continued news was received concerning the English campaign in France. There were reports that there had been great bloodshed suffered by both sides in the lands beyond Calais, with many sieges and battles, the armies’ fates worsened by disease and starvation. There was also news from the north with Balliol having overthrown De Bruce for the Scottish crown and subsequently bringing an army across the border, with Berwick on Tweed having already fallen to this force. There was also news of conflict once again in Ireland, a rebellion against the English lords sparking a civil war. All this has been coupled with another poor harvest and greatly risen food prices. Banditry is once more on the rise locally as men struggle to provide for themselves and their families.
Further bad news was relayed by Theoclea at the meeting of our council at the start of Winter. She is struggling to find any traces of memories within the stone now, and it seems clear that the magic has almost entirely faded now. She had determined to try for one final season to see whether any insight could yet be drawn but having spoken to her since I returned it is clear that this resource is as good as spent. Our sodales have all remained within the covenant over the winter months and my understanding is that no events worthy of note have occurred.
Thus I shall now turn this quill to relating the events that have befallen Jari and myself in the nigh on half a year that we have been away. We initially took our ship to Trevalga, accompanied by our familiars, Gavan and Ciprian. At Trevalga we met with the council of that covenant, Ydenia, Valance, Plautus and Ciaran, and discussed what had already been learned of Boscawen Un and our plan to investigate further. They readily gave us their blessing for our intentions and further said that should we discover any vis site within the regio we may keep the vis harvested save for a single pawn from each source so that Trevalga might claim it on an ongoing basis. Another four day’s travel brought us to the peninsular where we established a camp and Jari once more used his spell to commune with the stone. This time he asked it whether there was anything beyond for the Queen of the Land and the response was that it depended upon my demand, stating that it recognised my authority. The conversation took perhaps half of an hour and we decided that we would leave the grogs at the camp and attempt to enter the regio with our familiars. Leaving Gavan and Ciprian with instructions regarding what to do should we not return within a reasonable time I placed the Crown of Math upon my brow and requested permission to pass through the boundary and onto the path. Almost immediately after my words we saw a shimmer at the edge of the cliff and a mystical doorway was revealed. Races the Wind could sense that there was some danger beyond and Jari, who said that he could clearly see the ley line now, cast his vision beyond the mystic veil, reporting that he could see a dark sky full of stars hanging over a still sea with a stairway of basalt rock leading down to the beach where further rocks formed a path into the water and towards an island some way out. This island shone with a silver light among the peaks that rose up above the sea. Questioning the stone once more he was told that it did not know what lay beyond, that it’s purpose was purely to stop the unworthy from proceeding through the door. When asked who was worthy the stone replied that it was he who had created it and those that creator would deem worthy. The latter, he said, were those who bore his heritage and the ancient symbols of that heritage, one who has not yet been born and one who will return from death. The stone once again reiterated that it recognised the authority of the one who bore the crown and I commanded it that it should allow Jari and our familiars to travel with us also. Jari’s final question was whether the act of tracing the symbols upon the stone had any effect and was told that there are rites and ways, beyond the authority of the crown, and that they were not for us. With that we agreed that we would step through the door and as we did so the world transformed to that which Jari had earlier described save that now there were no stars in the sky, although despite that there was light enough for us to mark our route, provided from the glow that emanated from the island.
We could see the basalt stairs and path clear enough, with the island standing perhaps a quarter of a mile from the edge of the beach. The sea itself was as still as mill pond, with no waves or eddies. Something about the sensation of being in that place reminded me of the otherworld and I believe that this may have been some corner of that realm unclaimed by any of the gods. As such I warned Jari that casting magic here might well bear a risk of us losing control and we should be extremely cautious before doing so. While the steps down were clear enough it was nevertheless a difficult clamber to reach the bottom of the cliff, the distances between stones sometimes far greater than those of a staircase, and our way lit only by the distant glow and a small lantern that Jari carried. Once we had reached the bottom however the path across the sea was not so hard and it was not so long before we reached the edge of the island, it’s steep sides only traversable via a more clearly delineated stairway which ran widdershins for a full circuit of the island. The island itself was blanketed by a thick fog although as we came closer to the top the light became brighter, almost as bright as the day although the sky was still dark. The top of the stairs was marked by two stone pillars, beyond which was a lush orchard of pears and apples, strawberry and blackberry bushes amongst the surrounding grass, with a narrow gravel pathway winding through the trees. The fruit was large and ripe and there was no sense that any hand had been involved in the planting, although it was not overgrown in any way. The place was eerily silent and despite the size of the island the path seemingly ran for a greater distance than I would have thought possible when we circled the island.
Eventually the path gave way to some more steps leading up to a small tower, which bore a strong resemblance to that which lies within Myndydd Myddyn, although without the ravages of time that have occurred there. A solid wooden door banded with iron was the only entrance and upon it was affixed a metal plate with the image of a stylised dragon etched upon it. My companions reported a low rumbling vibration as we approached it, but I did not sense it myself. With no handle or knocker upon the door I announced myself as the Queen of the Land seeking entry within and as I did so I too then felt the vibration within the ground and air, and in moments a vast dragon loomed over the tower casting its silver eyes firmly upon us. I do not have the words to convey the majesty and terror that this creature inspired but as it gazed upon us Races the Wind immediately turned tail and fled back along the pathway, with Gwyla cowering behind me. Before either Jari or I could say anything the creature exhaled, directing a blast of icy air upon us. Jari was frozen immobile in an instant although the breath appeared to have no effect upon me, a blessing of the crown I surmise. I stated who I was once again and once again felt the icy breath assail me but once more to no effect. The dragon then spoke, telling me that my gods have no power here for this was its realm, and the penalty for trespass was death. I asked that it tell me who it was and it replied that it was the master of this realm, the guardian of the one who sleeps. There was a further short exchange of words, threats from it and an assertion from me that I had the right to be here. I told it that a great, dark plague was coming to the mortal realm and that we sought a way to thwart it, or perhaps a sanctuary if it could not be bested, and the dragon then said that it would let the sleeper decide, warning me that we should not be present when it returned. As it once more disappeared behind the tower the enchantment upon Jari lifted and we determined that we should withdraw and seek to leave the regio. Catching up with Races the Wind, who had made his way back to the causeway, we returned to the cliffs of the mainland but after a tiring climb we could find no trace of the door or Boscawen Un, with only a mist covered forest in sight perhaps 200 yards away. I have learned enough of the otherworld over my years of study and experience to know that, without a guide or knowledge of the road, to enter such a forest might lead to us being lost for eternity. Jari could spy no path himself despite his gifts with ancient magic, and even as he tried to do so he said he could feel the touch of twilight. After some discussion we determined that the only avenue that seemed to present itself was for me to return alone to the tower as I clearly had some protection from its guardian.
I cannot deny that I have never been more afraid than when I approached that tower once more but there was no sign of the dragon. Thinking of all we have learned over the years of Myddyn I tried tracing my finger widdershins along the outline of the symbol upon the door and to my delight it opened, almost silently gliding back to reveal a room a large table, upon which was a large silver platter bearing an ornate, metal-bound horn, with a bounteous feast laid out alongside. I could see an archway on the far side that led to a spiral staircase heading further up the tower. I tried to communicate with Gwyla but was unable to do so and as I turned I realised that the door had closed behind me, with no marking or handle upon this side. As I paused, I heard a faint sound of movement from the floor above me and then the sound of footsteps upon the stairs ahead. Emerging from the archway I saw a man, thick set with grey hair and beard, his face heavily lined, and garbed in a white robe. He initially tried to speak to me in a couple of languages, neither of which I understood, before we turned to Latin. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he wished to know who I was, how I had got here and why. He also wanted to know how it was that I bore the Crown of Math. We spoke for a while, I answering his questions as truthfully as I could, and it became clear to me that this man perceived himself to be the legendary King Arthur, although there was no great pride about his manner and he was courteous throughout. I can not deny that some parts of the conversation were difficult, for he named me as a usurper, albeit in his eyes an unwilling one, as we discussed how it was that I claimed the title of Queen of the Land, but I sensed a genuine concern regarding the tale I set out before him, of the dark threat that is coming.
Branwen’s Private Journal: At one point he asked me what it was to be a queen and challenged me as to whether my purpose was for the benefit of my subjects. In truth I have not been able to forget this conversation, even in the weeks since it occurred. I am beginning to feel the burden of the many loyalties and ambitions that I have allowed to influence my decisions and, as I consider them, I more and more wonder if I have not always been entirely honest with myself. To lie to another is one thing, and often necessary, but to lie to oneself must surely mean that there is some flaw that must be remedied. I do not know the answers yet but it is a question that I shall continue to ponder on.
After some time, he bade me accompany him up the stairs and upon the next floor was a room containing a bed. Upon that I saw an identical figure, lying under a banner with a representation of a Lion and Unicorn upon it. The man was a perfect match to Arthur in all but one way. for this figure was clearly on the very edge of death. Upon his chest was a dark red stone with grey streaks running across its surface. As I looked my host turned to me and said that in time the stone could heal any wound although he did not know how long he had been lying there while it worked its enchantment upon him. Yet he then offered to give it to me, speculating whether it might be the help that he could provide to a land in its greatest hour of need. I pondered his offer for no small amount of time, torn between the desire to return with an artefact that might perhaps be able to heal a ravaged land, but also a sense, no matter how little evidence there might be, that this was not the path to follow. In the end I yielded to the voice of caution within me and declined the stone and he nodded sadly as I did so. We exchanged but a few words more before returning once more to the ground floor of the tower, where the door was now open, and through which I made my way after bidding my farewell. As I left I saw the dragon once more but it said only that the sleeper had spoken and that I should follow the path back to the door, which would be open once again, though it told me that I must never return to this realm. It was with both a heavy heart and an undercurrent of hope that I retraced my steps once more and as I reached Jari and our familiars a silvery archway led us once more to the mundane realm.
Winter had taken a strong grip on the headland and as we began to walk back towards Trevalga the sleet turned into heavy snow, with the wind whipping itself into a frenzy. We were fortunate enough to find a shallow cave where we spent the night, avoiding the worst of the weather, and in the morning Jari agreed he would attempt to fly back to Trevalga and fetch help, for I could not so transform myself with the Crown of Math in my possession. The day or so that I spent there was not comfortable but Jari was successful, and Ciaran, a wizard of my House who spends much of his time sailing upon the sea, was able to bring a small cog close enough to where we had found shelter that I was easily recovered. We shared the tale of what had occurred with him as a we travelled back to Lydney and from there returned to the covenant.
Spring
It is the eve of the Autumn council of Severn Temple as I write this journal, as it has been but a few days since I returned from Cad Gadu and the binding of my familiar. I have spoken with most of my sodales (save for Pyrrhus of course) to understand the events of the past two seasons, which I will set down as diligently as I can, although of course little relates to events that I have first hand knowledge of. There is one piece of news that I shall record at the end of the entry for Summer which I have not yet shared with my sodales, saving it instead for our council. It is not a tale I wish to recount more than once given its fell nature and the grievous error in judgement that the tribunal, and the majority of members of this covenant, have made. But I do not intend to tantalise the reader, for the matter is grave indeed, and I shall record the details where they rightfully fall in the chronology of this record.
My understanding is that the spring council was a fairly brief affair. Theoclea reported that she had been unable to locate the scrying ritual again over the course of the winter, but determined to try again during spring.
With the deal struck with the wizard Berenger our finances have been stabilised for a few years at least, though it seems clear that war is likely. While this will increase the value of our iron it will also mean that our expenditure on food and taxes will rise. Given this it was agreed by the council that no stipend would be distributed this year. Indeed, later in the season Pyrrhus reported that he had seen a grand host of warships in the harbour at Plymouth and we received news of a muster of forces at Gloucester.
Navius agreed to develop an enchantment for our ship as his service to the covenant, a fan that can summon winds into the sails. All others were about personal study, with Pyrrhus travelling to the King’s College to utilise the library there, and also to see whether that institution might have any maps that would be of value for Jari’s ongoing searches for henges.
Towards the end of the season the redcap Gaines paid visit and reported that Isabella had launched a fleet to secure a bridgehead for an invasion of France, as her claims on behalf of her son had been rejected by the French king. Mortimer, the new Earl of Gloucester, has been sent with that force as the Queen’s representative. He also reported that the magi of Euros Aquilae had launched their own investigation into the events that occurred with the renounced Pravia and my mater. Salistria cast the spell Eyes of the Past at the vis site identified within the trial, as it can only be harvested on one day of each year. They reported that there was no sign that Deanna had harvested them, but they reported seeing the berries blacken and shrivel as the night fell, falling to the earth. It was several hours after that when Pravia came to the site. Romanus has been asked to investigate what might have caused such an event, though he has made it clear that Deanna’s actions are not under investigation.
Jari also received letters delivered from Holy Isle and Borri-Tor, both concerning sightings of a group of suspicious individuals travelling around the north in the spring of last year, with the sigil of green flame which we know so well seen at the standing stones near the latter covenant, off a road north of a settlement called Bishop Aukland. The effect is believed to have been to summon a spirit of some kind to answer questions, but more information could not be discerned as an attempt to view the past was thwarted by a magical darkness that had been summoned when the original spell was cast. The letters indicated that something similar had happened at a site held by Euros Aquilae covenant, although the members of that covenant have not volunteered any further detail. The two sites are about 15 leagues apart and Jari has been told he is welcome to investigate the site held by Borri Tor. Jari decided that he would accept that offer and attend in Summer.
Summer
Theoclea reported that she had successfully recreated the magic to see distant magical sites. She believes that she has located another of the 12 great henges, which she believes lies close to the Cornish coast on a narrow peninsular. Creating an image of what she had seen Terentius was able to identify it as a promontory that he has seen from the sea, which lies close to St Michael’s Mount. She had also espied some other smaller sites, including the stone in Cumbria. Jari stated that he was keen to travel there but would not do so until after he had travelled to Borri Tor, a journey which Terentius agreed to accompany him on. Once again, all others had activities that kept them within the covenant and there was no further news to report at the council.
Jari and Terentius flew north, as it is a journey that Terentius has made before and he has marked the geography well, and were received at Borri-Tor by Minaxia and Pallus. They reported that the individuals who had raised their suspicions included armed men, with English as their first language, and they speculated that it might well have been wizards of the un-named House accompanied by at least half a dozen grogs. There has been some sickening of the vegetation at the stones since the incident and Cyrillus of Holy Isle had been asked to investigate. He has determined that there is no sign of any spirit at that place. Pallus agreed to accompany our sodales to the site, travelling about 20 miles to a single standing stone upon a barrow that is known as The Drake Stone, and where once a year they gather terram vis in the form of moss. There was no sign of any recent visitors and Jari was able to detect the sigil of the green flame himself, as well as many intellego spells that were identified as those cast by Cyrillus. As he made his investigations there was a minute or two were those present report that the wind suddenly became entirely becalmed and there was an eery silence about the place. The strange influence seemed to pass but then Races the Wind announced that something was not as it should be and a gloom began to settle the area, the shadows deepening and once again the wind becoming still. Jari and Terentius erected wards against the infernal and Terentius reported seeing within the gloom a stalking figure, which he described as best he could as having a spindly body and limp wings though he said that it was hard to recall the detail. He thinks he might have had an impression of an attractive woman’s face at one point but his memory seemed somewhat slippery and he swiftly lost sight of it. After about 10 minutes the gloom lifted and all returned to as it had been before. Jari wondered whether a demon had been set to interfere with any magical investigation of the place, and that might also be the reason that Cyrillus’ magic had yielded less information than one might have expected him to procure. They withdrew from the barrow to make camp for the night.
The following morning they returned to the barrow and Jari began to try and identify whether there were ley lines running to the stone. As he did so the wind died once again, a gloom began to settle upon the place and Races the Wind sensed some danger present. After erecting a ward against Demons using the wand, Terentius was once again able to espy the infernal creature and this time he was ready with a bag of the powder enchanted to strike such infernal entities. As he flung it at the creature there was a flash of white flame and he could hear it screaming as the ward was penetrated with some effect that their parma magica was able to resist. It launched itself towards them but this time the ward held strong and it was not able to pass beyond its bounds. Both my sodales then cast further bags of powder. Jari’s throw went astray but Terentius struck true once again and once more the devil screamed as it was encompassed by white fire, with some effect once again breaching the ward but resisted by the parma magica, though for a moment Jari reports that he felt his thoughte becoming crazed and disjointed. Races the Wind however suffered far more greatly and despite Jari’s attempt to calm him with the silver cord his familiar remained caught in the grip of some madness. It quickly became apparent that the second strike had successfully banished the demon but Races the Wind remained highly agitated and Jari had to trap him within his bag to prevent him from doing himself any harm. They retreated to their camp once more and even after the third day Jari was unable to restore his familiar to himself.
Terentius returned alone to the barrow and cast Sense the Lingering Magic once more. While still able to determine the spells of Cyrillus this time there was no sign of a green flame but rather the sigil of a fearful watchfulness, marking two infernal spells. One was similar to an effect involving Intellego, Rego and Vim and the other a ritual to speak with a demon. Returning to Jari, neither of them recognised this sigil but they speculated that it might be a wizard of the order who was seeking to cast blame upon the un-named House or perhaps someone seeking to imply the presence of the necromancer when in fact he had been elsewhere. Returning to Borri-Tor they reported what they had found and Quaesitor Romanus, who was now present, recognised the sigil as belonging to Magus Toby of Ex Miscellanea, who resides outside of covenant. Romanus was of the opinion that the matter was clearly no longer one for Holy isle and instead further investigation would fall upon him. He asked that our sodales accompany him as hoplites but Jari initially deferred as Races the Wind was still gripped by madness. Paullus suggested that he might find some aid from Magus Brychan of Ex-Miscellanea who has a reputation for magic to heal animals but in the event this was not required for the following morning Races the Wind was finally restored and thus both magi were able to depart with Romanus.
They initially travelled back to the barrow once more where Romanus was able to confirm Terentius’ discovery. Both he and Jari then cast Eyes of the Past, to look back at the day which Cyrillus had been unable to scry upon. This time there was no absolute darkness, the scene being set at night on a clear, starry night. They saw an elderly figure dressed in ragged clothes, that Romanus was afterwards able to confirm as bearing the visage of Toby. The man seemed weary, but as he came to the barrow he pulled a strange blade, long and thin, from his robes. Thereupon he drew the blade on across his palm and as the blood flowed he cupped it from one hand to the other while appearing to incant a ritual of some kind. From the shadows around the standing stone a figure appeared, a handsome man with a neatly trimmed beard. Jari thought initially that the gown he wore bore some similarity to robes that he had seen upon the masters at King’s College. The elderly figure of Toby then kneeled upon the ground before the other and they appeared to have a conversation in which Toby seemed to be pleading although the other figure was unmoved by his words. The conversation lasted for perhaps 10 minutes with the younger man dominating the speech for the latter part before he retreated into the shadows and disappeared once more. Toby rose to his feet and walked away, turning once to look back with a shudder before departing.
The three magi discussed what had been discovered. Romanus had also noted the robes the figure wore but did not recognise them. Spurred by Jari’s description Terentius recalled that a powerful demon was said to haunt King’s College in Gloucester, an entity of such power that even the Archimagus Astrius had been unable to best. However Jari was not certain and they agreed that the only thing that seemed certain was that the figure had been instructing Toby to do something on his behalf. Romanus said that he would travel to Euros Aquilae as he needed to determine if there was anything else to be learned there following these revelations. Our sodales then returned to Severn Temple although Terentius took the time to visit Kin’s College where he was able to determine that while there were perhaps similarities the robes worn by the presumed demon did not match those of the scholars there.
As they had been away for a little less than a month they decided to continue their service to the covenant by travelling to Cornwall to investigate the henge that Theoclea had magically espied. They travelled initially to Trevalga covenant and there learned that it was named Boscawen Un. The magi of that covenant also reported that they believed that they had identified a potential new infernal cult made up of some merchants and minor nobles, which went by the name of the Brethren of the Red Moon. These men had been involved in criminal activity but there had been some occult elements which they deemed worthy of further investigation, a task that Loraticus of Carrion Moor had embarked upon.
Travelling on to the peninsular they found a dark grey stone standing within tall grass, covered with moss and lichen. It lies upon the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea and they were able to determine that it stands within a 5th magnitude magical aura. Terentius was able to see the silver veil of a magical regio at the edge of the cliffs. There were no signs that anyone had been here in the recent past. Jari identified that there were two ley lines leading to the north east but also thought that he had seen another momentarily, as if out of the corner of his eye. He tried to glimpse through the mystic veil but was unable to do so and wondered whether there was some kind of resistance to detection present. Examining the stone more carefully he identified faded engravings on the side covered with moss and casting an enchantment was able to identify that there were similarities to the inscriptions he had found upon the Myddyn Stone and that in the centre there was a design representing a door or archway, which he has scribed a record of. Casting further spells he looked along the two ley lines that he had clearly identified and saw that one led to three small stones on the coast and the other to two small stones standing upon a barrow set within a field.
Jari then cast the spell he has developed to commune with standing stones, after first casting the Wizard’s Anchor so that he was not overwhelmed as he had been at Avebury. He reported that the stone three times said to him that there was nothing here for him and that it would not answer his questions. However, he was now able to see the third ley line which appeared to run towards the cliff edge. Again he cast a spell to look along it but this time his attempt was resisted and he felt a stinging in his eyes as his parma magica was challenged. He cast the enchantment Sense the Lingering Magic upon himself and could see some effect of ancient magic with a barely discernible sigil of two dragons circling each other, which he suspected was in place to stop prying eyes. Both he and Terentius recalled legends of a lost or hidden isle somewhere off the coast of Cornwall. Terentius then headed down to the shore and taking the form of a dolphin set forth in the direction that Jari had identified the ley line as leading in, while Jari continued his study of the stone. For three days he swam broadly west until he became aware of a deep abyss beneath the waves and felt a vibration that suggested to him that something very large was moving below him. Wisely he decided to turn back at that point and returned, reporting that he had seen no sign of land in the entire time that he had been travelling. Jari had identified that the stone seemed to have an affinity with both Terram and Ignem but no vis was contained within the moss or lichen upon it. He determined to continue his studies over the rest of the season, though it seems he learned little more save for speculating that perhaps the affinities he had identified might represent volcanic rock. He also wondered whether there was a path beyond the regio.
Terentius returned to Serven Temple with the drawings that Jari had made and spoke with Theoclea. She too had heard the tales of an island to the west of Cornwall, known in some as Avalon and others as Lyonesse. She had not seen anything of this within Myddyn’s memories but did recall that it was a mist covered island that it was reputed Myddin bore King Arthur as he lay dying. She also noted that it was said to be a sanctuary against the tempers of the world.
At the end of the season I am glad to record that I completed the task of binding my familiar, who has after some discussion given herself the name Gwyla. It is a strange process, where I feel there has been some fundamental changes to my nature although it is hard to clearly identify them. I do find that I am able to sleep with greater versatility than before, in much the same way that she does, but beyond that the changes are harder to define. What is clear though is the immense bond that I feel to her, and perhaps now I can finally understand why the loss of his familiar so affected Terentius. It has been a long year away from the matters that press us but one that I am glad I have taken. While the pain of losing Deanna has not passed it is a relief to find that my capacity for happiness has not been lost forever.
And it is to the matter of Deanna’s death that I must finally turn after my earlier foreshadowing. Shortly before I planned to depart to return home I was invited to meet with my Prima. Entering the council chamber of Cad Gadu I found her accompanied by Romanus. He initially related the events that I have already recorded in Gaines visit to the covenant and my sodales endeavours at Borri-Tor. That alone was news that gave me cause to consider something that Aetna had said to me at tribunal – that it seemed unlikely to her that Deanna would have harvested Euros Aquilae’s vis site if instructed not to by Lluddwyn, as she surely had been given that at the time my Prima was attempting to forge a more positive relationship with House Tremere. I also recalled Toby, who I met several times when an apprentice as he occasionally had dealings with Deanna, as well as having met at Cad Gadu on a couple of occasions after passing my gauntlet. He had always seemed a nervous man but not unkind, and it was hard to envision that he had dealings with the infernal. But the news to come was a greater challenge still. Romanus reported that he had travelled to Euros Aquilae and accompanied by Ereman investigated the stones there but found no sign of any devilish presence. The two magi, now accompanied by Argentius, continued on to the vis site where my mater had been slain and there Ereman identified a demon lurking where Pravia’s sigil had been found. Argentius destroyed it and Romanus again cast Eyes of the Past. This time the events were different from those he had seen before. He saw Deanna come upon Toby. Romanus said that he had a grave expression although Deanna did not seem overly concerned. They were walking together towards her cottage when he suddenly cast a spell against her, slaying her almost instantly. He then cast an infernally influenced Rego Mentem spell that Romanus believes was her spirit being trapped before it could travel on to her rightful place in the next world. He then destroyed her body. As he did these things it seemed to Romanus that he was speaking with some unseen presence.
And there we have it. Pravia was not guilty of the crime that all of us save for Naevius condemned her for. It was committed by a member of my own House, and one that Deanna and I had known for many years. Argentius was right. While I have no love for the recent dealings of House Tremere, and their more ancient crimes against my House are well known, a great wrong has been done and I feel shame for how easily my emotions have been manipulated. I have always considered myself a clear thinker, perhaps a little reckless on occasion, but not given to hasty judgements. How easily we fool ourselves as to who we are. How easily we are fooled.
Prima Lluddwyn does not know where Toby currently resides but she believes that he had moved north, and now wonders if he might have travelled beyond the tribunal border to Loch Leglean. Wherever he is she will seek him out as it is clear that she would have it be by her hand that he is slain. Why he has done what he has done is a mystery that she and I would like answers to but we must have justice, and vengeance. I have of course offered whatever aid she may require from me.
Branwen’s Private Journal: Lluddwyn is deeply concerned about why Toby has captured Deanna’s spirit. A few weeks ago, Blanche visited her and reported that she had a vision where she heard a woman’s screams in the presence of some dark entity that she suspected was a demon. Lluddwyn always treated Deanna as something of a confidant and fears that whoever is behind this, for it is clear that Toby has been set upon this task by an infernal other, is trying to learn her secrets. She also wonders whether it is the un-named House seeking information on what we’ve been doing at the Halls of the Forest. Whatever the purpose it is one that must be thwarted as swiftly as possible.
Autumn
The council began with Jari and Terentius’ tale from Borri-Tor and the further news arising from that which I have already recorded in this journal. Needless to say it was clear that for some at the council there was great discomfort, as well as anger, at what has happened. At one point in the conversation Jari recalled that Pyrrhus had previously encountered the demon at King’s College and asked if he could summon an image of the creature. Pyrrhus duly did so but it was clear that it had no resemblance to the figure that Jari had seen during his investigations in the north. There is little that we can do about what has already happened but I am confident I am not the only one who would be happy to provide any help in making Toby pay for his crime. Terentius will spend this season crafting more powders to assail demons.
Our sodales then related the details of their trip to Cornwall. Theoclea had spent some time in the latter part of summer looking for any memory that Mydynn might have had regarding the stone Boscawen Un but has not been successful thus far. She will continue to seek for it over the coming season. The query was raised by someone at council as to whether she with her lineage, or perhaps I in my position as queen of the land, might be able to persuade the stone to be more forthcoming. I am keen to continue to help Jari so I agreed that I would accompany him if he wished to return this season, which he agreed to. In truth Theoclea is concerned that getting memories from the stone is getting harder, perhaps its magic beginning to fade now it has been separated from the regio that once existed, and I can see she is eager to continue her studies while she can.
Both Pyrrhus and Naevius said they were engaged in magical study this season and the council ended with no further matters to report. Myself and Jari leave tomorrow.
Winter
There is less than a month to go before the return of Spring but Jari and myself have only just returned to the covenant. Such can be the nature of how time passes within a deep regio and that is indeed where we found ourselves, as I shall relate as soon as I have recorded the events that occurred within the covenant while we have been absent.
At the autumn equinox my consors Gwendolyn reported that as she and a small number of the turb were attending Samhain celebrations at the spring. There she saw a bright star in the sky, unusual in that it was both where no star is normally found but also with a tail, seemingly as if moving through the heavens. Identifying this as an ill omen, a harbinger of a calamity to come, she reported her sighting to Naevius who placed the covenant on alert that night. While there was no disturbance that night, or on the nights to follow, my sodales have discussed the omen at some length, for it was visible for many nights, only fading from view as the season turned. For all his many faults Pyrrhus has made no small study of astrology and said that he believed it was a warning of a great doom, and in his view associated with Mars and thus war. While the coming of the great plague may be the most obvious threat that we face, my sodales wondered whether it might be related in some way to the dispute between England and France, for apparently a similar stellar object was espied shortly before the Normans crossed the channel and conquered our isle. Our spymaster Stephan reported that there was much talk of this event amongst the mundane population with many speculations as to what it might portend, with the rumours including war between England and France, ruin for Scotland or a terrible harvest to come.
As the season continued news was received concerning the English campaign in France. There were reports that there had been great bloodshed suffered by both sides in the lands beyond Calais, with many sieges and battles, the armies’ fates worsened by disease and starvation. There was also news from the north with Balliol having overthrown De Bruce for the Scottish crown and subsequently bringing an army across the border, with Berwick on Tweed having already fallen to this force. There was also news of conflict once again in Ireland, a rebellion against the English lords sparking a civil war. All this has been coupled with another poor harvest and greatly risen food prices. Banditry is once more on the rise locally as men struggle to provide for themselves and their families.
Further bad news was relayed by Theoclea at the meeting of our council at the start of Winter. She is struggling to find any traces of memories within the stone now, and it seems clear that the magic has almost entirely faded now. She had determined to try for one final season to see whether any insight could yet be drawn but having spoken to her since I returned it is clear that this resource is as good as spent. Our sodales have all remained within the covenant over the winter months and my understanding is that no events worthy of note have occurred.
Thus I shall now turn this quill to relating the events that have befallen Jari and myself in the nigh on half a year that we have been away. We initially took our ship to Trevalga, accompanied by our familiars, Gavan and Ciprian. At Trevalga we met with the council of that covenant, Ydenia, Valance, Plautus and Ciaran, and discussed what had already been learned of Boscawen Un and our plan to investigate further. They readily gave us their blessing for our intentions and further said that should we discover any vis site within the regio we may keep the vis harvested save for a single pawn from each source so that Trevalga might claim it on an ongoing basis. Another four day’s travel brought us to the peninsular where we established a camp and Jari once more used his spell to commune with the stone. This time he asked it whether there was anything beyond for the Queen of the Land and the response was that it depended upon my demand, stating that it recognised my authority. The conversation took perhaps half of an hour and we decided that we would leave the grogs at the camp and attempt to enter the regio with our familiars. Leaving Gavan and Ciprian with instructions regarding what to do should we not return within a reasonable time I placed the Crown of Math upon my brow and requested permission to pass through the boundary and onto the path. Almost immediately after my words we saw a shimmer at the edge of the cliff and a mystical doorway was revealed. Races the Wind could sense that there was some danger beyond and Jari, who said that he could clearly see the ley line now, cast his vision beyond the mystic veil, reporting that he could see a dark sky full of stars hanging over a still sea with a stairway of basalt rock leading down to the beach where further rocks formed a path into the water and towards an island some way out. This island shone with a silver light among the peaks that rose up above the sea. Questioning the stone once more he was told that it did not know what lay beyond, that it’s purpose was purely to stop the unworthy from proceeding through the door. When asked who was worthy the stone replied that it was he who had created it and those that creator would deem worthy. The latter, he said, were those who bore his heritage and the ancient symbols of that heritage, one who has not yet been born and one who will return from death. The stone once again reiterated that it recognised the authority of the one who bore the crown and I commanded it that it should allow Jari and our familiars to travel with us also. Jari’s final question was whether the act of tracing the symbols upon the stone had any effect and was told that there are rites and ways, beyond the authority of the crown, and that they were not for us. With that we agreed that we would step through the door and as we did so the world transformed to that which Jari had earlier described save that now there were no stars in the sky, although despite that there was light enough for us to mark our route, provided from the glow that emanated from the island.
We could see the basalt stairs and path clear enough, with the island standing perhaps a quarter of a mile from the edge of the beach. The sea itself was as still as mill pond, with no waves or eddies. Something about the sensation of being in that place reminded me of the otherworld and I believe that this may have been some corner of that realm unclaimed by any of the gods. As such I warned Jari that casting magic here might well bear a risk of us losing control and we should be extremely cautious before doing so. While the steps down were clear enough it was nevertheless a difficult clamber to reach the bottom of the cliff, the distances between stones sometimes far greater than those of a staircase, and our way lit only by the distant glow and a small lantern that Jari carried. Once we had reached the bottom however the path across the sea was not so hard and it was not so long before we reached the edge of the island, it’s steep sides only traversable via a more clearly delineated stairway which ran widdershins for a full circuit of the island. The island itself was blanketed by a thick fog although as we came closer to the top the light became brighter, almost as bright as the day although the sky was still dark. The top of the stairs was marked by two stone pillars, beyond which was a lush orchard of pears and apples, strawberry and blackberry bushes amongst the surrounding grass, with a narrow gravel pathway winding through the trees. The fruit was large and ripe and there was no sense that any hand had been involved in the planting, although it was not overgrown in any way. The place was eerily silent and despite the size of the island the path seemingly ran for a greater distance than I would have thought possible when we circled the island.
Eventually the path gave way to some more steps leading up to a small tower, which bore a strong resemblance to that which lies within Myndydd Myddyn, although without the ravages of time that have occurred there. A solid wooden door banded with iron was the only entrance and upon it was affixed a metal plate with the image of a stylised dragon etched upon it. My companions reported a low rumbling vibration as we approached it, but I did not sense it myself. With no handle or knocker upon the door I announced myself as the Queen of the Land seeking entry within and as I did so I too then felt the vibration within the ground and air, and in moments a vast dragon loomed over the tower casting its silver eyes firmly upon us. I do not have the words to convey the majesty and terror that this creature inspired but as it gazed upon us Races the Wind immediately turned tail and fled back along the pathway, with Gwyla cowering behind me. Before either Jari or I could say anything the creature exhaled, directing a blast of icy air upon us. Jari was frozen immobile in an instant although the breath appeared to have no effect upon me, a blessing of the crown I surmise. I stated who I was once again and once again felt the icy breath assail me but once more to no effect. The dragon then spoke, telling me that my gods have no power here for this was its realm, and the penalty for trespass was death. I asked that it tell me who it was and it replied that it was the master of this realm, the guardian of the one who sleeps. There was a further short exchange of words, threats from it and an assertion from me that I had the right to be here. I told it that a great, dark plague was coming to the mortal realm and that we sought a way to thwart it, or perhaps a sanctuary if it could not be bested, and the dragon then said that it would let the sleeper decide, warning me that we should not be present when it returned. As it once more disappeared behind the tower the enchantment upon Jari lifted and we determined that we should withdraw and seek to leave the regio. Catching up with Races the Wind, who had made his way back to the causeway, we returned to the cliffs of the mainland but after a tiring climb we could find no trace of the door or Boscawen Un, with only a mist covered forest in sight perhaps 200 yards away. I have learned enough of the otherworld over my years of study and experience to know that, without a guide or knowledge of the road, to enter such a forest might lead to us being lost for eternity. Jari could spy no path himself despite his gifts with ancient magic, and even as he tried to do so he said he could feel the touch of twilight. After some discussion we determined that the only avenue that seemed to present itself was for me to return alone to the tower as I clearly had some protection from its guardian.
I cannot deny that I have never been more afraid than when I approached that tower once more but there was no sign of the dragon. Thinking of all we have learned over the years of Myddyn I tried tracing my finger widdershins along the outline of the symbol upon the door and to my delight it opened, almost silently gliding back to reveal a room a large table, upon which was a large silver platter bearing an ornate, metal-bound horn, with a bounteous feast laid out alongside. I could see an archway on the far side that led to a spiral staircase heading further up the tower. I tried to communicate with Gwyla but was unable to do so and as I turned I realised that the door had closed behind me, with no marking or handle upon this side. As I paused, I heard a faint sound of movement from the floor above me and then the sound of footsteps upon the stairs ahead. Emerging from the archway I saw a man, thick set with grey hair and beard, his face heavily lined, and garbed in a white robe. He initially tried to speak to me in a couple of languages, neither of which I understood, before we turned to Latin. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he wished to know who I was, how I had got here and why. He also wanted to know how it was that I bore the Crown of Math. We spoke for a while, I answering his questions as truthfully as I could, and it became clear to me that this man perceived himself to be the legendary King Arthur, although there was no great pride about his manner and he was courteous throughout. I can not deny that some parts of the conversation were difficult, for he named me as a usurper, albeit in his eyes an unwilling one, as we discussed how it was that I claimed the title of Queen of the Land, but I sensed a genuine concern regarding the tale I set out before him, of the dark threat that is coming.
Branwen’s Private Journal: At one point he asked me what it was to be a queen and challenged me as to whether my purpose was for the benefit of my subjects. In truth I have not been able to forget this conversation, even in the weeks since it occurred. I am beginning to feel the burden of the many loyalties and ambitions that I have allowed to influence my decisions and, as I consider them, I more and more wonder if I have not always been entirely honest with myself. To lie to another is one thing, and often necessary, but to lie to oneself must surely mean that there is some flaw that must be remedied. I do not know the answers yet but it is a question that I shall continue to ponder on.
After some time, he bade me accompany him up the stairs and upon the next floor was a room containing a bed. Upon that I saw an identical figure, lying under a banner with a representation of a Lion and Unicorn upon it. The man was a perfect match to Arthur in all but one way. for this figure was clearly on the very edge of death. Upon his chest was a dark red stone with grey streaks running across its surface. As I looked my host turned to me and said that in time the stone could heal any wound although he did not know how long he had been lying there while it worked its enchantment upon him. Yet he then offered to give it to me, speculating whether it might be the help that he could provide to a land in its greatest hour of need. I pondered his offer for no small amount of time, torn between the desire to return with an artefact that might perhaps be able to heal a ravaged land, but also a sense, no matter how little evidence there might be, that this was not the path to follow. In the end I yielded to the voice of caution within me and declined the stone and he nodded sadly as I did so. We exchanged but a few words more before returning once more to the ground floor of the tower, where the door was now open, and through which I made my way after bidding my farewell. As I left I saw the dragon once more but it said only that the sleeper had spoken and that I should follow the path back to the door, which would be open once again, though it told me that I must never return to this realm. It was with both a heavy heart and an undercurrent of hope that I retraced my steps once more and as I reached Jari and our familiars a silvery archway led us once more to the mundane realm.
Winter had taken a strong grip on the headland and as we began to walk back towards Trevalga the sleet turned into heavy snow, with the wind whipping itself into a frenzy. We were fortunate enough to find a shallow cave where we spent the night, avoiding the worst of the weather, and in the morning Jari agreed he would attempt to fly back to Trevalga and fetch help, for I could not so transform myself with the Crown of Math in my possession. The day or so that I spent there was not comfortable but Jari was successful, and Ciaran, a wizard of my House who spends much of his time sailing upon the sea, was able to bring a small cog close enough to where we had found shelter that I was easily recovered. We shared the tale of what had occurred with him as a we travelled back to Lydney and from there returned to the covenant.