eachdraidh | VOICE | SEELIE LOCKED; EARLY MAY

[ A few hours after Ariadne's post, which came after the monarch audience.

Lancelot's voice is clear and calm, if a little tired. This sort of thing always drains him. ]

For those who do not know me my name is Lancelot, I am marshal of the Seelie forces. If we have not met before, forgive me. Things have been busy of late, and today is no exception. I would like to preface by saying if you have any questions you are free to approach me, either by locket or in person. I am often in the training grounds here in Caer Glaem or over in the White Citadel. I never turn away a question or help offered, and I do my best to be transparent and honest in my answers.

Recently a lot of activity has been noted from a group known as the Cult of the Fox. For those who do not know, they are a native group who have a strong anti-shardbearer sentiment. Since all of us are shardbearers this is a little difficult to ignore, and ignoring it is not something I would recommend in the slightest.

I will do my best to explain, but if something is unclear you need only prompt me. The Cult of the Fox rose after an ex-shardbearer known as Reynard the Fox was felled by the joint effort of many of us. He used to rule Maupertius, and he was... Well, he had long since lost his mind. He betrayed all his allies and butchered many of us -- stole shards from people's chests to amass power. Reynard is now long dead, although for anyone curious I am happy to share what I know of him, but the Cult of the Fox rose on the premise that Reynard was seen to be fighting for natives. I am not so sure that is entirely true, but it is true that many of the actions of the courts are at the cost of natives.

Nonetheless, cult activity is particularly heavy in Daonna and Leathann of late. The cultists have already hung shardbearers, and are far too dangerous to approach alone. Their masks make you forget their faces, and recently someone suggested they can mimic the faces of others -- can reach into people's minds. If you intend to go to these areas I would suggest you think twice, or if you must that you do not go alone and you go well prepared for trouble. Natives of this land can sense the shard in a person. It is not simply a matter of not telling them you are a shardbearer, they will know.

We've been doing our best to handle the unrest but the natives have lost some of their trust. It is best to tread cautiously, for they will not always take you in good faith.

On the subject of shards, if you have never been taught the nature or use of your shard it can be done. Shards have a natural power to them that you can call on. I do my best to hold lessons when I can, but if you are unable to make them I will try to make time for you. It is a thing worth learning, especially in these troubled times.

Keep yourselves safe.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Hermione's voice is set, determined, stern; she had seen the post, thanks to her compasses, and she's glad Lancelot had addressed it. ]

I'll teach anyone that wants to learn if you don't have time, Lancelot. Not just shard magic but runes, too.

[ Lancelot is a protective sort. People need to know where the danger is to avoid it! ]

I have no doubt you would make an excellent teacher, Hermione. You have always taught me well. We can split our time as suits, if you are sure.

That sounds good. You can send anyone my way who would like to learn, I don't mind at all. We need to be as prepared as possible.

[ And she breathes out. She remembers his dream, her vision, and - ]

How are you?

Tired, in truth. I fear for our own with all this... unrest, this horror. To have your mind played with in such a way... that is not a thing I would wish upon my worst enemy.

We're all looking out for one another. I'm keeping an eye on all the Unseelie using the compasses as well - I've already had to shut one down, just to be safe. If something happens I can tell you more about it, but...

[ She pauses, swallows. She even sounds tired. ]

I'm scared about what's going to happen from now on.

I think being frightened is the only sensible response, in truth. To be otherwise would be to not recognise the danger we are truly in.

I fought in a war at home but it was nothing like this. I didn't have to use a sword, I didn't have to worry about...

[ Killing people. Dying she could handle, but this? ]

War is something I am used to, yet war in Albion is not the same as war here. We fight for land, for laws, for what we believe in -- but the stakes are not nearly so high. There are not entire worlds at stake, our own and others. You cannot be judged for uncertainty, Hermione, for if what we did was easy for anyone... then I would wonder if they truly understood.

[ It's strange, how hearing uncertainty from someone else makes her feel softened, as if her own is welcome and understandable - she's been fighting for so long that she's not sure if she can wrap her mind around the end goal of the court she's found herself in. What would happen if they won? Would it really be worth it, in the end, and can she allow herself that?

All she can do right now is fight to protect those she loves, as always. ]

I've been here for so long - I'm not sure I'll ever be comfortable, ever fully understand everything that we're asked to do and all the things that happen, no matter how much I want to.

[ Which feels like failure, another thing for her to loathe, but all the same. ]

We have our friends, our allies, our - our relationships. No matter how uncertain we are about the world we'll always have that.

We do. Even if you are not comfortable with this war, with the complications, you can fight for your friends. For those close to your heart. For those who cannot fight for themselves.

When I was knighted in to the Golden Cadre I swore an oath. A knight is sworn to valour. My heart knows only virtue. My blade defends the helpless. My might upholds the weak. My word speaks only truth. My wrath undoes the wicked.

In the heat of a battle that is what must sing in your heart. You are a machioness, Hermione, and you have as much valour and virtue as any of the knights. You can defend those who are helpless, uphold the weak and undo those who mean to do you harm.

[ But does that mean she should accept killing? That she should lift hand and blade and hurt people around her? She could murder someone with a wave of her wand if she wanted to but it felt so horrific, so terrifyingly disgusting, mixed in with the horror of what Voldemort and the Death Eaters had done that she's not sure she could ever do it.

But she had killed once. People would tell her one is as good as ten when it comes to murder, to death... But she is not one of those people. Self-defence is one thing, but going out with the intention to take life seems impossible. ]

Valour and virtue is... It's good. I'm glad to have it, and my honour, what I've regained since Treun. But, Lancelot...

[ She breathes out. ]

How do you handle hurting people?

[ Killing people? ]

I handle it because I have to. I handle it because if someone turns a blade on me and I do not, it is my life that will be forfeit instead. Then those who rely on me will be cast adrift. I handle it because there was a time when I did not, when I hid while raiders tore through my village and killed every man, woman and child. If someone threatens your life, Hermione, and you do not fell them -- then they will threaten another. Defending yourself and others is not the same as needless killing. Defending yourself and others is preventing anyone else from suffering at the hands of the person who attacks you.

It should make it easier. It should - knowing that I am protecting people should make it easier.

[ But it doesn't. How could it? She's not a fighter, a killer. She isn't made to hurt people... Is there another choice, though? ]

Thank you, Lancelot. It helps. You help.

[ She does not sound convinced, but perhaps she never will be. They all have their roles, he knows, and not everyone can be so willing to fight and kill. ]

Of course. You know I will always listen, Hermione, should you wish to speak further. You know where to find me.

I know. I'll have to come by sometime soon to make sure you're taking a break.

[ As if Faolan wasn't doing that, hah. ]

And to check in on my favourite boys, of course.

[ Which is all three of them - Faolan, Lancelot and the baby. ]

VOICE | SEELIE LOCKED; EARLY MAY

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