Video; Available only to the Unseelie

[of_the_lake]

[Lancelot stood in front of a great, molten forge, walking along a narrow walk-way inside Troichean Beinn. He was out of his armor, wearing a thick smithing apron and a short-sleeved tunic, startlingly different from the usual attire he would display. As always, Lancelot's absolute lack of enthusiasm shined like a dying star.]

To those of the Unseelie court--I have a trade I would like to make with you. If you believe yourself skilled in researching history and mythology, please respond.

I have a second trade I would like to make to those with an affinity towards nature--in which I must emphasize that such an affinity is a necessity, unless one prefers risking death in this.

[Hoisting his free arm up, Lancelot raised a short-sword with a gleaming red blade, fairy letters written down the length of it. Visibly, the sword seemed to have been vibrating somewhat. Anyone with magical affinity may even hear a soft, hollow sort of noise coming from it as well.]

To those who can assist me in these favors, I can repay you with the fruits of my labors. Wrought iron, enchanted by fairy-magic. I cannot promise the best of weapons at this moment, but if you aid me in this, I will create a finer reward for you.

Comments

Audio, Permaprivate

[gordianknots]

What do you need looked into?

Also, glad to hear that Reynard didn't get the better of you.

Audio, Permaprivate

[of_the_lake]

I cannot say for certain if that is the case; though, I noted how impressive the power of those shards can be. They were fairly tedious to deal with.

[Just tedious.]

For the most part, though, I need to inquire about the nature of the 'Death Altar' of the Midnight Court.

Reynard's parting words had been about Alice and I spilling blood on it. He seemed... concerned, though I'm not certain if it was his injury or the nature of his statement.

[gordianknots]

I'm sorry that I gave you information that lead to something that got you injured.

[And that much is the truth. Waver's furious that even knowing Berserker's skill, Reynard managed to survive.]

I realize this might be sensitive, but would you mind giving me a little more detail about what your fight with him was like? I have a feeling that if anyone is going to get the better of him, we're going to have to draw on collective experience.

[Waver also suspects that Lancelot will give a clearer narrative.]

I'll see what I can dig up. I can't promise a hard deadline though.

video;

[boutant]

I was a student back home -- I'm good at research. What do you need?

video; private like wao

[of_the_lake]

I need information concerning the Midnight Court and Death's Altar upon it.

I'm not certain there may be proper texts or any at all--as this is the first I've heard of anything like it.

video; private

[boutant]

I may know someone I can ask, [ Ariadne says after a moment, nodding to herself. ] If I can get in touch with him, that is.

Text

[scorchedchivalry]

[Bless anonymous text because right now, Saber cannot brain producing audible words. She did not expect this. She was not ready for this. Which left her with only one thing she needed to know for now.]

For those newly arrived, where can you be found should we wish to engage in trade?

Video; Private

[of_the_lake]

[A text response. While ultimately fair, Lancelot didn't much prefer them when he was prepared to hand off dangerous weapons.]

Troichean Beinn. A dwarven fortress, north of the stronghold named 'Redgate'. It is southwest of Cair Scima.

Private Text

[scorchedchivalry]

[Out comes her map and she finds where the fortress was and marks it before she responds.]

Thank you. As of right now, I do not have anything to trade, so I will no longer waste your time.

Good luck in your endeavors.

[There was plenty of land between his current position and her own. It would be best if he did not know she was present. Here, perhaps, he can have a life free of her. Free of the crime he believes he committed.

Truly, she knew he would eventually find her, and even though they were supposedly allies here instead of enemies... she did not deserve to have the man that had been her closest friend back in her life. She had failed him, just like she had failed everyone else.]

video; i'm so sorry

[digophelia]

Why, you do wear something other than big and black.

[ ANYWAY. ]

What sort of favors were you asking for, Sir Lancelot?

video; private

[of_the_lake]

[Lancelot ignored Alice's incredibly hurtful and cruel remark.]

First, concerning Reynard's comment at the end: How we spilled blood on Death's Altar. Second, regarding the dryads.

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[digophelia]

[ Oh, sure, ignore the fact she's trying to live up to her mini-promise she'd insult you every so often. Alice pauses for a moment, thinking silently to herself. ]

He took a swipe at you and then me, if you mean that.

[ Okay, really, she's done being a smart ass to him. For now. ]

It could have all sorts of implications, Sir Lancelot. But more importantly, I must ask you -- have you seen or felt anything strange?

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[extramural]

Which part of nature? There are many, after all.

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[of_the_lake]

Life, I suppose. I imagine decay could also be a part of it, but at this moment, Life would be preferable.

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[extramural]

I have a- connection, I suppose, to the sea.

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[scinlae]

What are you planning?

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[of_the_lake]

...How sympathetic do you feel towards the Sisterhood, Morgana?

[It was bad. He was willing to ask Morgana as well.]

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[thebreakingwave]

It's good to see you alive and well. I've spent a few years buried in books and I do like nature, what can I do to help?

[ After all, if he's going to spend the next month researching ways to hide the sigils, he might as well keep an eye open for whatever Lancelot wants. ]

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[of_the_lake]

Treun's former Midnight Court and Death's Altar--where Reynard had challenged Alyosha.

You've seen it, so--you may be well-suited to read on that matter, Harry.

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[gandere]

I assure you that it's unlikely you'll find someone better for the role--[ Unless he talks to Waver, but ha ha ha FAT CHANCE of that old geezer volunteering right?? ]--but what if I have no use for weapons? What is there you can offer me that would be of interest?

If you need to test the limit of knowledge, you're free to. My age might not seem like much, but I've studied legends of old from various cultures all my life.

video;

[of_the_lake]

Hm. Well, I'm making trade as a smith among the dwarves. My fairy-smithing may come to be useful, but I can ask how to craft other things.

Other than that, I would only have gold and jewels to offer. [Oh, ONLY gold and jewels?]

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[survivra]

[ katsa has an affinity for neither, but— ]

That's a beautiful blade. Fair, unfair magic, or however it's been wrought.

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[of_the_lake]

As it tends to be, all magic is unfair. All the same, fairy-writing can be considered the most unfair in use, but the most difficult in practice. Striking the anvil was not the difficult aspect of it, my lady.

ACTION

[bullhorned]

[Gendry was ware of his new fellow apprentice. It was not that Lancelot seemed like a bad man, but he seemed like one brimming with power and just a little bit out of control. Gendry would beat the hammer like it was a foe that was the source of all his hatred. Lancelot had turned that action into an art.

Only now the clock struck four and it meant it was time to drink. Gendry glanced warily at his fellow (human!) apprentice.]

Best we get in our cups, eh? Don't want to disappoint Master Gret.

ACTION

[of_the_lake]

[Lancelot paused as Gendry raised his voice, breathing in slowly and sighing. There was a majestic quality to the boon he was given. Being able to forge wrought-iron in the shape of fairy weapons was a blessing, but the teaching method was--

He winced inwardly, doing Gendry the favor of lifting the tankards and the massive keg they had set up, tapping it with a droll look on his face. Drinking had never been such a chore to him, but he couldn't complain--at least half an hour into it, anyway.]

It wouldn't hurt to be ready. I wonder if he'll skip a day, that man.