Chapter 1 - Change

As the moon rises behind the thick clouds, Gawen too makes his way up to bed, his belly full and his head pleasantly buzzing with alcohol. Despite this, upon lying down and closing his eyes he discovers that sleep steadfastly refuses to come. After tossing and turning fitfully for some hours, he eventually drifts off into a light sleep plagues with uneasy dreams. Mae'n sefyll y tu allan i'r dafarn. Mae'r glaw wedi stopio, ond mae'r aer yn dal yn drwchus gyda lleithder. Mae'r lleuad gibbous yn disgleirio trwy dwll yn y cymylau, gan oleuo'r dref gysgu gyda golau dim monocromatig. Mae Gawen yn edrych o gwmpas, yn ansicr pam ei fod y tu allan. Mae'n clywed 'caw' oddi wrth ei wrth ei hun, ac yn troi i weld cochyn sydd wedi'i osod ar arwydd y dafarn. Yn syndod gweld yr aderyn mor hwyr, mae'n cerdded tuag ato. Wrth iddo fynd ato, mae'n hedfan i ffwrdd, gan stopio ychydig o draed i lawr y ffordd. Mae Gawen yn dilyn eto, ac eto mae'r aderyn yn hedfan ychydig o draed ac yn stopio, gan dynnu ei ben arno. Mae'n dechrau cerdded yn gyflymach ac yn gyflymach hyd nes y bydd y ddaear yn chwythu o dan iddo. Mae'n disgyn i bob pedair, gan rasio drwy'r dref wag ac allan i gefn gwlad, paws sy'n prin yn swn ar y glaswellt gwlyb. Mae'r fwwd yn ei arwain at fryn gwag ar gyrion Taunton. Mae'n eistedd yn ôl ar ei hindquarters, panting. Er bod y bryn yn anffodus ac eithrio ar gyfer ysbail coed, mae'n rhywsut yn gwybod bod ffordd yn mynd heibio - ffordd hir, yn berffaith syth, yn ymestyn o ynys Ictis ym mhen de-orllewinol Dumnonia i'r môr Iceni yn y dwyrain , ffordd yn cysylltu lleoedd o bŵer i'w gilydd i'r rheini a oedd yn gwybod sut i fynd heibio. Mae Gawen yn troi ymlaen, ei ffwr yn ei gadw'n gynnes yn yr awyr noson oer, ac mae'n sefyll yng nghanol y llwybr. Mae'r caws coch yn drydydd, ac mae'n teimlo fel pe bai cyfrinach fawr wedi'i rhoi iddo, un nad yw eto'n deall, ond mae'n gwybod y gallai ddod i mewn mewn pryd. Mae'n eistedd yn ôl ac yn sownd yn y lleuad, mewn croen nad yw ef ei hun. He is standing outside the inn. The rain has stopped, but the air is still thick with moisture. The gibbous moon shines through a hole in the clouds, illuminating the sleeping town with a dim monochromatic light. Gawen looks around, unsure why he is outside. He hears a 'caw' from beside him, and turns to see a raven perched on the inn sign. Surprised to see the bird at such a late hour, he walks towards it. As he approaches it, it flies away, stopping a few feet down the road. Gawen follows again, and again the bird flies a few feet and stops, tilting its head at him. He starts walking faster, and faster yet, until the ground blurs beneath him. He drops to all fours, racing through the empty town and out into the countryside, paws making barely a sound on the wet grass. The raven leads him to an empty hilltop on the outskirts of Taunton. He sits back on his hindquarters, panting. Although the hilltop is bare save for a spinney of trees, he somehow knows that a road passes through it - a long road, perfectly straight, stretching from the island of Ictis in the far south-west of Dumnonia to the Iceni sea in the east, a road connecting places of power to one another for those who knew how to traverse it. Gawen lopes forward, his fur keeping him warm in the cold night air, and stands in the center of the path. The raven caws thrice, and he feels as if a great secret has been imparted to him, one he doesn't yet understand but knows he may come to in time. He sits back and howls at the moon, in skin that is not his own. He awakens some time later, feeling well-rested despite the previous night's difficulties getting to sleep.

The party awakes the next morning after an undisturbed night in a relatively comfortable bed, to a breakfast of boiled sausage, dried lentils and a tankard of stout. There have been worse mornings. The weather is still damp outside, but the heavy cloud cover seems to be clearing.

Magan gets the party moving early, keen to get more ground behind them, ever more convinced that the changes around them are a sign that the future is in peril, and that their mission to defeat this foreign god is imperative to the survival of the very laws of nature.  He rides again with Isolde out in front, teaching her balance and footwork whenever they take a break. At other times he forages and hunts ahead of the group, prepared to camp in the wild that evening. 

From Taunton the road north-east winds through many villages, providing ample opportunities for a brief, midday respite for food and water. Not an hour later, the carriage crests yet another of the rolling Somerset hills and spread out before them in the distance is a great marshland surrounding an island. History checks please.

Previous night... Ewen looks uncomfortable for a moment as the question of his past comes to light and he occupies himself for a moment taking a deep drink from his mug. He is slow to start as he looks around to ensure not many are within earshot. "My story is likely similar to your own, I think. It is no secret that I am different, but I am of fey blood. My...father, if you can call him that, was an elf of the Dartmoor. My mother drew the ire of the fey during Samheim when she did not follow the rituals our people had set forth. She was taken into the Otherworld and returned some years later, her womb swollen with me and no knowledge of her time gone. Obviously when I was born, we both were driven out of our home to the outskirts where she raised me. Since that day I let home, I have wandered long and far as I inevitably always end up being driven away yet again by the small-minded superstitions. My sword... well, that is another story for another night. As for how I ended up on the ship with you lot. That is one I cannot answer." Current time... As Ewen's eyes alight upon the island his memory is pricked. "Ah! This is Ynys Afallon , it is a place where the borders to the Otherworld are thin. We should be wary here. Many of the sidhe are arrogant and should we fail to appease their pride it could go ill for our journey. Mayhaps we avoid this place all together?"

Kara snorts at all the talk of the fae. While tricksters, from her memories and stories they knew better than to anger the God's, and she was sure in her mission. "They will dare not. Few elves would wish the ire of Freya, and she has blessed our quest. Harm us they may not do, but they could trick us. All others are the same, but we will face them with honor, no tricks."

" Ynys Afallon... " echoes Gawen. "I know of it, though I hadn't realised that was where we were. Ewan is right - the old magic is strong here. But turning or going back would cost time I'd rather not spend, and the sun is still high. My vote is to press on."

Guthric surveys the landacape ahead before turning to the others, "The wind is strange here, but it is only tricks you fear. True hunter see through lies and find their prey."

Magan nods.  "We press on. Best to be respectful and avoid the retribution of the scorned fey though. They can be quite deadly."  He winks playfully at Theli. 

"And be on the lookout for quickbeam or goatweed , both are said to ward off the Tylwyth Teg ," adds Gawen absent-mindedly, still looking appraisingly at the distant hill.

Magan nods, and slips off into the woods to look for the plants Gawen described. 

Theli's mouth twists into a suppressed laugh at Magan's jibe and she turns her head away to hide the giggle. Goatsweed is nowhere to be found, but Magan does manage to salvage a few rowan berries from a scruffy little tree growing out of a hilltop crag. If the travellers do not circumnavigate the marshland, crossing it will be a challenge in and of itself. Especially with a carriage. It takes about an hour to come down off the ridge and as they near the edges of the marshland the wheels already begin to sink into the mud.

Ewen raises an eyebrow but says nothing as they press onward, but as they go down into the marshland he does speak up. “Megan, you are our leader, but should we encounter the sidhe, perhaps you should allow me to deal with them as one of their blood. And young Freya, I would caution not to underestimate the old magic. It carries more power than you appear to believe.” In his head, the voice whispers angrily. ‘The girl speaks with the same blasphemy as those of the One-god. She needs respect.’

Magan nods, before stopping everyone where they are.  "Continuing on the direct path will just have us stuck or worse. Let us take the road around." He leads the way back onto the path. 

As the group turn from the water a distant light can be seen far out upon its surface, obscured by the low hanging mist. A soft aria lulls across the water fogging the senses and enticing them to listen. Roll wisdom saves please.

"I suppose I should see what those are..."  Magan trails off as he turns towards the lights and begins wandering off from the group towards the marsh. 

Magan, Kara and Theli all begin to move inexorably into the murky waters of the marsh. The horses rear and Branok hushes at the beasts calmingly. "Where are you going? " He shouts after the three of them. "Magan, Kara, Theli, come back! Don't heed the call of the  Tylwyth Teg !" Gawen, Ewen and Guthric and Isolde all remain unaffected. As the light drifts closer the silhouette of a rowing boat can be made out through the mist.

As they walk, Magan reaches out without thinking and takes Theli's hand as they start to wade into the marsh. "A boat, they will take us where we need to go."

"Magan! Theli! Kara!" calls Gawen, rushing after them. He grabs Magan's free arm and tries to physically pull him away from the marsh. Trying to drown out the fae music, he starts singing - tunelessly but loudly. "Troi’r wythnos yn flwyddyn, Troi’r flwyddyn yn dair, Rwy’n ffaelu troi ‘nghariad I siarad un gair..."

"Theli, get ahold of yourself!" Guthric rushes after Theli, trying to grab around her waist to haul her back to shore.

Theli squeals as Guthric grabs her and slaps at his thick arms, but is unable to wrench herself free from his vice like grip.

Singing at the top of his voice, Gawen tries to haul Magan backwards, back towards the wagon.

Gawen and Guthric successfully drag Magan and Theli back out of the water. The pair of them kick and scream the entire way, trying to reach each other and lights across the lake. In the distance the boat draws nearer and Kara walks ever further out towards it, the water now up to her waste.

Gawen throws Magan to the ground. "Try and hold him there - cover his ears if you can," he calls to Ewen, Branok and Isolde, before rushing back to where Kara is waist-deep in the marsh.

Branok runs up to Magan and hits him hard on the head with his staff! By the time Gawen reaches Kara the water is half way up her chest. The boat is much closer now. It shimmers with light and a figure stands atop it, reaching towards Kara.

Gawen tries to grab Kara before she can walk any deeper. "Fae!" calls Gawen to the figure on the boat. "Release my companions - we share a common foe, but will defend ourselves if we must."

Gawen manages to catch up to Kara and grab her just as the water level reaches her neck. The wind surges around the druid as he takes a stand against the fey creature. It swirls around him and the norse girl, casting the fog back across the surface of the lake towards the island. A wave of water follows it like the tide, washing the silhouette-like boat away with it, and the otherworldly singing finally ends. Magan, Kara and Theli all stop struggling, their minds finally clear.

Magan shakes his head, shrugging Branok off of him and rubbing his forehead where he's been hit.  "Hey. Was that really necessary?"  He looks a little embarrassed. "I suppose it was. Thank you." He averts his eyes from Branok before looking around to check that all of his group are safe and well. He sees that almost everybody is soaking wet and exhausted and quickly makes a decision fearing fatigue and trench foot.  " We should move the wagon a little further from this place. Perhaps a little way from the path. I will start a fire and make some food, we should change our boots and dry our clothes before we continue too much further."

Gawen helps Kara from the swamp, then checks the others are alright before wringing as much moisture as he can from his cloak. "Aye. The sooner we're away from the water, the happier I'll feel." The large man looks somewhat shaken by the encounter - there could be no doubt that they had almost been entrapped by a creature sprung from myths and stories, and unlike the hellhounds there had been nothing physical to fight against. "If it comes back we may not escape so easily. A fire would be good, but I'd advise against straying from the path in a place such as this."

Magan nods.  "As you say. Let's push on with haste then." He gets to his feet. Helping Theli up he gets her into the wagon before climbing back into his own horse and leading the way onwards until he finds a safe place to stop. 

Ewen looks visibly shaken after the encounter with the fey. "I warned you all not to take the Old Powers so lightly, but you did not listen. I do not speak with conviction often, but I know them better than any of you. Heed my warnings, next time it may not be as fortuitous as tonight." He helps to ensure everyone is back into the wagon as he looks for something to leave at the edge of the marsh as payment for their trespass, keeping Toirneoir in hand. Once the offering of berries is placed, he quickly retreats to his companions' side. "Lady Kara, Lady Theli, Magan... are you of clear head now?"

Magan nods.  "My motivations are my own once more. Do not worry."

Kara starts shivering slightly in the chilled water, finally aware that someone was holding her, and she was in water. After Gawen guides her out she looks at him, a strange look on her face as if she was unsure what to think. She had never lost her path towards Freya, and one little moment almost cost all her years of training and hard work. " I lost my footing once. I shall not fail my mistress again."  Her voice was strange, a bit hollow sounding almost, as she was trying to figure out how she could stray so far in her mind from what the mission was.

Branok shrugs at Magan with a wry grin, as though to say, 'what else was to be done?' "Ugh! Get off me you brute!" Theli's voice shrieks out at Guthric across the marsh. She comes stomping out of the water, thoroughly sodden. "Damn fairies... if I never meet one again it'll be too soon." Isolde giggles ecstatically at the show.

Guthric trudges up, soaked and followed by Fang and Claw. He appears as much a wet hound as his and he mopes along behind the wagon for a bit, letting himself drip dry a bit before joining the rest.

It takes some time to drag the wagon away from the marsh and find the road again. This time, Magan guides the group on a wide route that circumvents  Ynys Afallon and winds up towards the mighty hills of Mynyddhop.  As the fog clears, the rocky highlands can be seen rising up in the distance ahead. They make camp on the road up towards the temple city of  Fontanetum , or as the common folk call it Wiells . The great wooden structure of the local temple can be seen towering above the rooftops in the heart of town.

Ewen watches his companions closely during the quiet ride onward, keeping his sword arm resting upon the pommel of his ancient blade. 'You got your wish. They seem to have gained a little respect for the Old Powers.' 'Yes, this is good. Even the gods have their limits. Now perhaps we can speak with the golden haired angel about the fight against these... Christians.'

Magan starts a fire, gathering wood from nearby and gathers some edible plants and tries to find some game nearby to help Branok make a soup to warm everybody up after their experience in the lake. He hangs his own clothes to dry on a tree and finds some others to change into from the wagon, making sure everybody else does the same.

Gawen helps Magan find food, then carves daisywheel symbols on a few of the trees surrounding their temporary campsite to ward off ill luck. This done, he settles by the fire, waiting for his clothes to dry off, staring into the flames as he reflects on the encounter.

The warmth of the fire slowly washes away the icy cold from the bones of the travellers and a cheerful mood begins to return. Isolde finds a stick and tries sneaking up on the dogs as they lie warming themselves, poking them in their haunches or lifting their jowels from a distance.

Kara takes the time to pray, hoping to strengthen her resolve and prays for Freya to forgive her straying from the mission she had been set on, for it was her own weakness that led her astray. She takes the time to do a proper reading of her text, the tome not as big as some found in temples, but had enough stories and teachings from Freya to help her stay on the path

The next day the clouds have passed, and the sun is shining. It's market day as the wagon rolls into Wiells , and the streets are busy and, above all, loud . Merchants cry across the square and children run and play around the well. Isolde tugs at Theli's leg with a look of pleading, and the woman in turn looks over to Magan, the question obvious in her eyes.

Magan sighs, but nods his consent.  "We will rest here for an hour. Though our mission is pressing we cannot deny her her childhood. If you wish to make purchases or resupply, now is the time."

Isolde squeals with glee and vanishes off into the crowds, dragging Theli behind her. She seems to want to see every stall there is. The woman turns with an uncharacteristic smile of her own and offers an apologetic shrug to Magan as they go. The market is big and it looks like most of the town must be here. The good weather has spirits running high.

Keeping Isolde and Theli in sight, Magan browses the stalls, picking up some cheese and bread to complement the more wild diet they had experienced the day before and would likely rely on a while. He is struck again by his awkward feelings around Theli, still unsure how best to express himself. He finds himself wanting to make her happy. She must be disappointed at losing her treasure, perhaps some jewellery. He browses the stalls for a pretty looking trinket, perhaps a bracelet. Eventually he settles on a silver armband, hurriedly agreeing a price with the street vendor and wrapping it in cloth to present to Theli later. He looks around to make sure none of his friends are watching as he stows it away. 

As Magan looks up from stowing the armband, he realises that he has lost sight of Theli and Isolde. In fact, he can't see them anywhere.

Ewen takes some time to puruse the market, looking for anything that stood out and caught his eye. He listens to the words of the people around to gauge their general intentions. He takes the visage of an older man in threadbare clothing and a gap-toothed smile. “Have you some turnips or some root vegetables?”

A slight panic grips Magan. He looks over to the fountain where the children are playing before walking quickly towards where he saw them last. 

The farmer nods to Ewen, tapping a basket on the side of the stall with a good selection of such produce. "'Ow much will ye be wantin?" The girls are nowhere to be seen, but as Magan scours the area he spots a piece of parchment fixed to the wooden roof of the well with a dagger.

How did they catch up to us.  He rips the note from the dagger but he already knows what it will say...