They spent the rest of the day traveling, but even after all that walking, and with Brit’s horse to bear some of the load, they still hadn’t made it to the main road that led into the forest. Thankfully, they encountered no one else for the entirety of the day. It seemed most of the Saxons truly did avoid the forest, making their journey along the edge of it one of the safest routes possible. Though Una wasn’t entirely sure if it really was safe. That feeling of rotting unease coming from the forest had never let up thus far.
“We should stop here for the night,” said Guyon as the sun finished setting behind him. “The forest will begin sloping southward from here at which point we’ll soon meet up with the road.”
“I have never been to that part of the forest before,” said Brit in an excited tone. “That is where the dragon lives, yes?”
“The dragon is dead,” said Una, curtly. They hadn’t told Brit everything about Una’s past, and she didn’t need to tell her about her role and connections to Castle Silene. Not yet, at any rate.
“Yes, I have heard of this,” said Brit. “A shame. I would have loved to test my mettle against it. Perhaps there will be some other foes from this Otherworld you speak of that I can fight.”
“You’re staying with us then?” Guyon said, hesitantly. His tone made it obvious that he was against the idea, though he was far too polite to say it aloud.
“There is strength in numbers, yes?” said Brit. “We can protect each other among the Saxons. That way it will be easy for both of us to find who we’re looking for.”
“We’re not looking for anyone,” said Una. “Other than the Faerie Queen. And in my experience, she’s more likely to find us.”
“Yes, but after?” Brit remarked. “You say there are more of these Seven Deadly Sins about. What if one or more of them are among the Saxons. You will need help.”
She had a point there, though Una had to admit she hadn’t thought that far ahead.
“We can discuss all of that in the morning,” said Guyon, a tired look in his eyes, and it wasn’t just from all the traveling. “Let’s set up camp and rest for the night. If all goes well, we’ll reach the Faerie Queen tomorrow.”
“Yes, I am very excited to meet this Queen of Faeries,” said Brit, and she must have been because she didn’t take the opportunity to insult Guyon again.
They proceeded into the forest just deep enough to avoid anyone passing by and set to work setting up camp. Brit tied her horse to a nearby tree, and Una helped Guyon clear a spot for a fire. Soon the four of them gathered round the flames, roasting a few squirrels they’d managed to catch.
Una tore off a chunk of the meat and handed it to Acrasia. The former Sin took the meat without question and bit into it like she was ravenous. They kept her as well fed as the rest of them, so Una didn’t know why Acrasia always seemed hungrier. In all likelihood, she was far too used to a life of luxury, and this sudden change made going without steady food a hardship. Well it served her right. She deserved far worse at this point.
But tonight seemed oddly different. Acrasia was quieter than usual, and she kept glancing into the darkness of the trees surrounding them every time there was a significant noise.
“What frightens you?” said Una, speaking softly to the Sin while Brit and Guyon focused on their food. “Is it the Faerie Queen?”
“Gloriana doesn’t scare me,” said Acrasia. “These forests are no longer under her control alone.”
Una nodded, remembering what Acrasia had said earlier, implying that if she were to fall into the hands of the enemy, she would be destroyed, just as any of them would. Well, Una felt little pity.
“You know,” she continued, “If you would just tell me what I want to know, perhaps we could save you from whatever it is that you fear.”
“You do not know of what you speak,” said Acrasia immediately. “If I am right about your lineage, then there is little chance either of us can stop the coming darkness. If anything, I would only hasten the day of destruction by telling you.”
Una shook her head in exasperation. “You seem so sure of yourself and your companions.”
“This world is already doomed to an eternity under their rule. Even if you were to halt their advance for a day, a year, or even a century, they will not give up. Time is not like you measure it. We have borne our strife for millennia, and what is a few years to us?
“I suspect that now a few years for you will be the same as a few years for me,” said Una with a yawn. “You might want to consider helping us if you don’t want to see those years cut short.”
Acrasia stayed silent at that, but Una did not probe further. She knew better at this point that Acrasia would not reveal the singular pieces of information that were the only reason for keeping her alive. Perhaps the Faerie Queen would be able to magically extract the information somehow. Or perhaps she had other means of learning the same. Regardless, Una was done with Acrasia. And within the next full day, hopefully, she would be rid of the former Sin of Lust.
4
As they settled down for the night, Guyon insisted that Brit sleep away by her horse rather than in their circle. He still didn’t trust her enough, and Una had to admit that he was right. Even though she liked Brit, they still hardly knew her and they couldn’t assume she was harmless. They made sure to surround themselves with dry twigs, so anyone approaching would be easily heard. Una wondered idly if her magic was capable of some kind of ward, a barrier to warn her of incoming threats. She had no idea how to create such a thing, especially one that would continue to work even after she slept. That was something to look into.
Neither she nor Guyon were excessive sleepers, so she had no doubt one of them would wake if anything did happen, and Una didn’t expect any problems from Brit. The woman wasn’t an enemy, and even though she had a strong personality, something told Una that she was as desperate for travel companions as Una was when she traveled alone. Solo expeditions were never any fun.
Soon, the four of them were sound asleep beneath the canopy of dark trees.
That night, Una dreamed.
The moment the dream began, she knew she’d had it before. She stood as if looking down on the world, seeing the entire collection of British Isles stretched out before her. Suddenly, an enormous beast emerged from a tear in the ground. It stretched forth mighty wings and had the shape of a great, black dragon. But unlike a dragon, it had multiple heads, dozens of them, and each one...each one bore her own face. Worse, and new to this dream, each head bore horns on either side, like great antlers sprouting from each of Una’s faces.
No, she had to get out of this dream. It wasn’t real, it wasn’t. She’d dreamt it before, and she would not allow it to haunt her again.
Ice burst out of the mouths of each head, each copy of her own visage. It consumed the area before them, turning the British Isles, and soon the entire world, to a frozen wasteland. Armies fought against it, some led by Saxons, some led by Romans, and even some led by a golden-haired boy Una recognized as her old friend Arthur. He had never led armies before.
But one by one, they all fell. Soon, there was no one left, and the multi-headed monster grew until it filled the whole earth. Laughter echoed out of its many throats, the sound ringing in Una’s ears. Desperate, she tried to close her hands around her head to block out the sound. But it only grew louder with her attempts.
Please, make it stop, she had to wake up. Anything to make it…
“Una,” said a soft voice.
Una’s eyes snapped open and she found herself no longer in the dream, but back in the Forest of Arden. Except, there was something different about the quality of the air here, or the darkness under the trees. It was fresher, cleaner. And what was more, Guyon, Brit, and Acrasia were nowhere to be found.
Una blinked as her eyes fixed on the one who had spoken her name. Gloriana emerged from the darkness like an owl swooping out of the shadows to catch its prey. Una had been right the day before. The Faerie Queen had come to them
.
“Hello, Gloriana,” she said evenly as the Faerie Queen drew level with her, her dark-red hair flowing around her green-tinted skin in such a way as to make it seem that she was underwater.
“You have done well, thus far,” said the woman, her hair flowing forward as she stopped advancing. “You have captured the Sin of Lust and severely hurt the Sin of Greed.”
“Acrasia tells us that their power will be given to another. So by defeating them, we’ve only caused a delay.”
Gloriana nodded. “This is true, it is how their power functions. But it will take time for the forces of darkness to find new hosts of that power, and even more time for those individuals to master it. We have gained a temporary advantage.”
“You know all about the Sins, and you couldn’t have just told us before? We would have benefited a lot from knowing everything you know.”
“I do not know everything,” said Gloriana.
“But if you did, would you tell us? I nearly lost my own sanity in my travels with Guyon. My magic nearly took over. It was only through Guyon’s example and some desperate situations that I was able to move past that.”
“And you must remain vigilant. You have grown powerful far faster than I could have anticipated.”
“And just think how much control I could master with your help!” said Una, not bothering to stop her voice from rising. “You are one of the only people in the world who can understand what I’m going through, one of the few with a deep knowledge of magic. Who else am I supposed to go to for help, Merlin? Perhaps I should go to Merlin.”
“Not all lessons can be taught by simply speaking the words to you. Experience is the greatest teacher of all.”
“Yes, but you sent me out there with nothing.”
Gloriana’s lip twitched, the barest indication of annoyance. It was not the emotion Una expected. She had hoped for some remorse, some shame, anything to indicate that the Faerie Queen admitted her wrong and felt bad about it. This was different. In that moment Una could tell that Gloriana felt none of those things.
Una reeled in her emotions, feeling them grow cold. Very cold. Her face became a mask of hard stone. “I assume you came here to tell me something?” she glanced around her. “And I also assume that I’m still dreaming, given that the others aren’t here.”
“That is correct,” said Gloriana, her face equally as expressionless. Did she understand the anger that was in Una’s heart at that moment? “I speak to each of you, to provide you with your next steps, and to give you information.”
Una stopped herself from saying, “That would be a first,” but instead continued to listen with her arms folded.
“You have encountered the knight, Britomart,” Gloriana continued when Una said nothing more. “She is one of my chosen, with great potential. I would ask that you stay at her side no matter what.”
Una narrowed her eyes. “Why?”
“The man she searches for, Artegall. He is also among my chosen. I would not have him perish as Britomart wishes.”
Una snorted. “She’s going to love hearing that.”
“It is difficult to tell whether she truly wishes to see him dead, or if it is all an act on her part. But among other things, you must stay with her to ensure she does not act in foolishness.”
“And what are those other things?”
Gloriana’s face grew more somber, if that was even possible. “There are others of the Sins out there. I suspect one or more are among the Saxons even now, and Duessa continues to bring many to her side. If we are not careful, she could find others to take the place of Acrasia and maybe Mammon too if he has not yet regained his strength.”
Una nodded. “In other words, be on the lookout.”
“Indeed. I think it very likely that you and Britomart will encounter at least one of the Sins in your travels. Your magic is considerable. It may be enough to counter them. But do not think that you are invincible. At best, you are a match for one Sin. But there are still five of them, and only one of you. Duessa is the chiefest of them all.”
“Yes, but I did learn that Duessa didn’t want me dead.”
“That may change now that you are such a direct threat to her plans. After the way you dealt with Acrasia, she may decide keeping you alive is more of a hindrance than she originally anticipated. Be wary.”
Una inclined her head. “Do you know why Duessa ordered her minions to keep me alive?” She watched carefully to gauge Gloriana’s reaction.
But the Faerie Queen gave nothing away, she merely shook her head. “I have some suspicions, but I suspect I will learn more upon interrogating Acrasia myself.”
“And when you learn the truth, will you tell me?”
Gloriana hesitated, and Una immediately felt a mixture of anger and fear settle into her.
“You have to tell me,” she said, sharply. “I only agreed to help you on the condition that you keep me informed. How can I trust you if you keep even more information from me?”
“I will tell you,” said Gloriana, slowly. “But understand that not all information is best received at once. It could be too much for you if the answers concern your true father, for example.”
“You promised,” Una bit out, never blinking as she remained locked on the Faerie Queen’s gaze. “If you do not keep your promises, how can any of us believe a word you say?”
Gloriana nodded, albeit sadly. “I said I would tell you, and I will. But these are dark times. I cannot foresee everything that should happen. Just remember to stay by Britomart’s side. I have instructed her to do the same. Head into Saxon land, I have a duty there that must be performed first, before you continue searching for Artegall.”
“Where, exactly?” Una rubbed her forehead, growing tired of the Faerie Queen’s cryptic and non-specific instructions.
“Keep on the road that leads to the coast, and you will know my task when you see it. Do not worry, I believe this particular quest will be more to your liking.”
“And what then?”
“Then, you may continue your search for Artegall, but you may find other tasks require your attention, if all is as I suspect.”
“Another of the Sins?”
“Indeed,” Gloriana nodded, her floating hair pulsing with the motion. “I cannot be certain who, but my suspicion is Wrath. It would make sense that he would place himself among the Saxons, fueling their hatred and warlike tendencies. He thrives on war, so it is likely that you will find him near any battle.”
“Anything I should know about him?” asked Una.
“Just that he is one of the most powerful of the Sins, but only when fueled. He is weaker when those nearby are at peace.”
“There is no peace to be found in these parts,” Una pointed out.
“Which is why you must be increasingly careful. Stay by Britomart’s side. You will need each other.”
Una opened her mouth to ask why, or to glean any more information about Wrath or the other Sins, but in that instant Gloriana raised a hand, and a great light sprang out of it. Una covered her eyes as the light filled the entire clearing, brighter than the sun, until…
Una rose to a sitting position from her place around the now-dead fire. All sleep had fled her, and she remained as alert as at midday. Nearby lay Guyon, and further on she could see Britomart, both of them still sound asleep. Was Gloriana in their dreams as well? Based on what the Faerie Queen had implied, she would suspect so. What were their instructions? And what of…
Una swiveled where she sat, turning one direction then another. The forest was still dark but there was no mistaking it. Acrasia was gone.
5
Una rose to her feet and continued to look around. This was not good. Guyon had made sure Acrasia was well secured to a nearby tree. There was no way Acrasia could have gotten loose on her own, unless she had help.
Britomart still lay sleeping in the distance, a stone’s throw away. Could the newcomer be responsible for freeing the prisoner? She had shown some discomfor
t at her imprisonment. But no, that didn’t make any sense. Once Brit had learned the truth behind Acrasia as one of the Seven Deadly Sins, she had no longer expressed the same sympathy. Unless she was lying.
“Guyon,” Una stooped next to the sleeping knight and tried to rouse him, shaking him lightly, though not with too much violence. She didn’t want him to spring from his sleep and attack her before he knew what was happening.
But strangely, Guyon did not wake. He lay there unmoving, with only the gentle rise and fall of his chest to indicate he was even alive at all.
“Guyon,” she repeated again, in a hurried but hushed tone. She didn’t want Britomart waking before Una had a chance to rouse her companion.
Suddenly, Guyon’s eyes burst open and he rose to a crouched position with such swiftness that his motion caused Una to stumble backwards, catching herself on the ground with her hands so she didn’t fall further into the firepit.
“Guyon,” she repeated a third time, though this time with an air of surprise.
The knight scanned the trees around them, taking in the scene in one swift gaze. “Acrasia is gone,” he said. It was a simple statement and not one of surprise or shock.
“Yes,” said Una, narrowing her eyes. “Do you know where?”
“The Faerie Queen took her,” said Guyon.
Una allowed herself to relax a bit, sitting down properly next to the fire pit. Now it all began to make sense. “I see.”
“What devilry!” Brit had awoken and was on her feet in an instant, pulling her sword loose and swinging it wildly at nothing. It took a moment for her to notice that there was no threat and that Guyon and Una were staring at her with cocked heads. “I...I had strange dreams,” she said after taking a moment to calm down.
“We all did,” said Una, taking a half-burnt stick out of the fire and scratching at the ground, idly. Even though she knew Gloriana was technically on their side, she couldn’t help but feel like the three of them had been outmaneuvered. The Faerie Queen had distracted each of them, keeping them asleep while Acrasia was taken from right under their noses. Sure, their entire purpose in coming here had been to deliver Acrasia to the Faerie Queen, but what if Duessa or another of the Sins had arrived instead? Would they have the same chance against one of them? What could the Faerie Queen have done if she had meant them harm.
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