A Prayer for Home

Arthur dressed, Crow offered to do so for him, but he declined "You're not a Servant." He muttered, and yet he could not stop her from braiding his Father's rings back into his hair. They left the cave, standing close at each other's side as they walked into the soft afternoon.

They talked as they walked through the Wood, walking Mystery on her lead, back to the Lodge. The Horse was jet black, with a long mane of black curls on her sharp face, eyes of bright hazel staring back with a close and trusting gate. Mystery was an intelligent beast, an eastern beast trained to be loyal only to its Vatan rider... only Mystery was different, Crow had always called her "Broken" many a time, Crow would tell him stories when he was young, whispering secrets in his ears that his mother wouldn't want him to hear.

She had told him, that Crow was one of the eldest Vatan, she was a daughter of the Spring River, a Greenblood, one born with the life and vitality of generations, a gift she shared with Lee-fu.

Mystery was a Vatan tool, and as with all of their tools in the east, the eastern alchemists and sorcerers would shadow-bind demons into the steeds of their Vatan Slaves, a forbidden Goetia; a binding contract that extended the life of the beast, Crow was linked to this beast... and yet, it had taken a liking to Arthur ever since he was a boy, something that should not be possible, the thought of it made him smile, although the thought of Mystery's behaviour being connected to the decline of her curse made Arthur stroke the beast's mane and tell it that they would fight together someday. That day had come.

"I will return home. I will go to the Capital." He said with certainty.

"That may not be the safest course." Black-Crow retorted quickly, she was hooded again now, with her feathered cloak rustling gently in the wind.

Arthur nodded "We will go in secrecy, I do not know what My Sister will do when we get to her, but our fates are clear to me, if they catch us then it won't end without a mess."

"We are not safe in the Grasp of the Enemy. You have listened well." She nodded in agreement although she paused "...What will you do when you face the Dread Queen?"

Arthur walked on. Crow followed, and Mystery trotted between them.

Mystery trotted to a gentle stop as they reached the tall lodge still mid-construction. Streaks of grey amongst the Pale-blue sky begot a gentle snowfall, Arthur could see each flake which settled on the grass like dancing diamonds, He cast his eyes over the tall lodge, the long field to the South where the Ice-Pines and Frost birch once stood, felled a thousand times by a thousand practised cuts; the empty coral devoid of Oxen who he had played with and fought within a time long passed. And as he peaked into the Lodge, Crow rushing past to fill their saddlebags with provisions and what little belongings that they had... all he had to do was peak inside, to notice Lee's armour stand, blank and empty, derelict of weapons.

The time had come, to leave Aetri behind for good, to prove himself worthy to walk the Iron path. And so the Dragonslayer ventured inside and armed himself lightly in padded breeches, wrapping himself in one of the spare Gambeson's that Lee kept hidden away for emergencies.

He checked Grimstorm, reassuring him with it tightly slung on his belt. He thought on Markin then, expecting wrath... but all he saw within the image of Markin's death, was a loss of something dear, his ability to completely trust, waivered once again, Reaching down into his Satchel, Arthur's fingers pulled free the cold flask within and looked at the metal flask and looked with mournful eyes.

"Crow." He asked as the Spymaster filled their saddlebags with dried meats, hard bread, herbs and wheat for the long journey.

"Yes?" She asked although she did not pause in her preparation.

"When I... Killed Markin, I wasn't myself, I saw red; rage unlike any moment prior in my life, except for-" He shook his head.

Crow did paused however, looking at you with her black eyes "You have lost yourself to rage before."

"Not like that, never like that." He retorted.

The Spymaster set down the saddlebags and rubbed her pale chin "Your father and Uncle experienced similar issues. Although to different degrees, Your Uncle found trouble in accepting ideas outside of his own, many times to his own detriment."

Arthur recalled that day, he would not break tradition under any circumstances, his sense of duty and honour was hard as steel... in the end, it cost him his life. "And My father? what did Uther suffer with?"

Crow seemed hesitant to answer but eventually spoke "It is difficult to tell, he was a man whose mind was far beyond that of any normal man, even any normal king. But if this one was to theorise, it would be... like me, detachment to all things, a willingness to kill and sacrifice, even the innocent-"

"That is Lie," Arthur growled sharply. "My father loved us, he cared for us, he cared for his people."

Black-Crow picked up the saddlebags in her small but powerful arms and bowed "As you say, my master."

He moved towards her and touched her shoulder "You are not a servant or a slave. You are Akira Ector, a daughter of the spring, You are my family."

She looked at him blankly and whispered "Family is of little consequence on the Path of Iron, a small and fickle thing, forgotten by those who do not call themselves Lord in Britannia. Just like Akira Ector once was. You will do well to remember that, after your final lesson today."

He wanted to retort, but he had little argument left in him tonight and so he swallowed the heavy words which stuck in his throat even after he tied back his hair and knelt by the doorway.

The Wind howled lowly as He spoke softly "Seven Saints who guide us, teach us, protect us, bless this house in the Name of the Dragon. Mummer of Gifts; guide Lee-fu Ector to great fortune, Messenger of Courage; give her the strength to withstand loneliness, Protector of Sobriety; instill the will to abstain from temptation, Sage of Wisdom; keep her sharp as the blade she carries, Singer of dreams; allow her not to forget the light, even in the darkest realms, Annointed of Piety; remind her that Faith in herself and others will keep her strong... and Monarch of Devotion... do not let her forget that as long as we breathe, that she is loved. Praise the Heptagus." Even now, he remembered the prayer that his mother had forced on him as a child, making him remember every blessing that the Seven saints of Goddess and God could bestow.

"You once called religion; a useless stain." Crow noted as He drew the Hexagon above his heart.

"They never listened to me before. Perhaps they will now."

"Gods come and gods go, immortal in memory alone, they fade with people, with cultures long lost, but we are Shadows and you know our words."

"Aye, I do." He agreed. "I know that I must face this trail alone, but will you walk with me?"

"I will."

Arthur turned, and saw a soft smile waiting for him in the doorway, her red hair flowing in the wind. The Dragonslayer exhaled sharply as he grinned and took her hand, leading her away from the Lodge, Eastward towards the Reed-meadow.