Una didn’t like the thought, but she had to remember that Gloriana wasn’t as powerful as she sometimes let on. Even here, in her forest, her power waned under the threat of Duessa and the City of Pride. Una was reasonably certain that Duessa was an equal in power to the Faerie Queen herself. The little interaction she’d had with the villain had suggested as much. The two had some kind of history, and one day Una would find out what that was.
But for now, they had other problems to solve.
“We need to talk,” said Guyon, waving Brit over. “Tell me everything that you saw in your dreams.”
Una went first, telling them what Gloriana had told her, not leaving anything out. She told them of the Faerie Queen’s instruction to follow Britomart, and of her own frustration that the woman had told her nothing else. In fact, the dream had resulted in more questions than answers. All those things she wanted to know: why she was chosen, why her magic was so strong, the identity of her parents, all remained unanswered.
“And now you are tasked with following me, for reasons this Faerie Queen did not elaborate,” remarked Brit. “More questions.”
Una nodded, though she carefully avoided Brit’s eyes. There was one part of her dream that she had not mentioned, the fact that the Faerie Queen wanted her to keep an eye on Brit, to prevent her from actually killing this Artegall fellow. Brit wouldn’t want to hear that.
“Well, we know that there is likely another of the Sins in Saxon territory,” said Guyon. “That is valuable information.”
“Yes, this Wrath,” said Britomart. “Your Faerie Queen told me to seek him out as well, and to continue my travels with you,” she looked at Una. “Though I’d rather search for Artegall.”
“Did the Faerie Queen say anything of Artegall?” Una asked, treading carefully. She didn’t want to imply that she knew anything.
“Nothing, though she did say that if I follow you I would...how did she say...find what I truly seek. That must be Artegall.”
“Right…” said Una. She was completely sure that the Faerie Queen had meant something completely different. But Brit did not know the woman like Una did. She did not understand the trickery that Gloriana often embodied. There was no doubt that the woman intended for Brit to have some kind of learning journey where she would find something else more important than her quest to kill her supposed lover.
“But what did you see?” Brit asked Guyon next, then with a meaningful glance at Una, added, “probably too dumbfounded by the Faerie Queen’s beauty to remember anything.”
Una hid her smirk but couldn’t stop the corners of her mouth from rising slightly at the look that Guyon gave Britomart.
“I…” Guyon began. “I have a new assignment. There is a woman I’m meant to find, somewhere north of here. She is a huntress, almost like a wild woman, but I don’t know anything more about her, other than the fact that she is pursued by evil men.”
“Of course, this one takes the task of rescuing the helpless woman,” said Brit while rolling her eyes.
“It’s what the Faerie Queen wanted,” said Guyon. “I do not question her instructions.”
“But you do seem rather calm about it,” said Una, meeting his gaze, knowingly. “There was a time when you would have been head over heels following a dream from the Faerie Queen.”
He turned to her with a grim look on his face. “Well, my time with you has changed how I perceive her. She’s still that same woman who saved my life all those years ago, and I owe her my devotion for that alone. But you are right that she is cryptic, and perhaps unnecessarily so.”
Una raised an eyebrow at Guyon. That was some new behavior for him. Though she supposed Guyon had exhibited some decreased naïveté after their last journey together, especially when he had come to know everything that had happened to her up to that time including all her dealings with the Faerie Queen.
“Cryptic is correct,” said Brit, bringing her hand up to her chin in thought. Una waited for her to continue, but she said nothing more. Perhaps there was more that Brit wasn’t telling them.
“Well then…” said Guyon with some weight to his voice. “I suppose this means it is time to split up.”
A wave of cold suddenly passed through Una. The realization hadn’t yet hit her, but Guyon was right. He had his assignment, and she and Brit had theirs. Acrasia was gone, taken by the Faerie Queen, which meant their time together as a group was over.
Una tried to take a slow, deep breath. But a brief moment of panic had taken hold of her heart. She and Guyon had never been close in the romantic sense, but he had done more for her own self-confidence and support than anyone before him had ever done. He was one of the most supportive people that she knew, even when she exhibited behavior that would have scared away anyone else. But her control of her magic, or lack thereof, hadn’t bothered him. He’d done nothing but encourage her, helping her realize that she was ultimately the one in control. She would forever be indebted to him for that.
And now, they had to leave each other.
“This won’t be the last time we see each other,” said Guyon, noting the anguish on her face. “We’re both in the service of the Faerie Queen. I suspect for that reason alone, our paths will cross again. Perhaps on more than one occasion.”
“I...yes,” said Una, nodding. “You’re right. I just...ever since I escaped the prison in Londinium, I’ve dreaded being alone.” She sat back realizing just how true the statement was. She had never voiced her disinclination for loneliness out loud before.
“You won’t be alone,” he said, glancing over at Britomart.
“You were imprisoned in the great Londinium?” Brit chimed in. “My respect for you is now twice what it was. I hope you killed a great many Romans.”
“See,” said Guyon, turning back to Una. “You’ll love her.”
Una smiled, and rose to her feet. In two strides, she covered the distance between them and wrapped Guyon in a hug. “Thank you for all you’ve done,” she said. “I would not be here without you.”
“I wouldn’t be here either,” he said, putting his arms around her. “If it weren’t for you and your magic. I owe you every debt I owe the Faerie Queen. I’m sorry that I couldn’t get answers out of her either.”
Una looked up at him. “You asked?”
“I told you I would, but she remained as silent on your importance as she did for you. Don’t worry, we will find answers. I promise.”
Una nodded, feeling a wave of gratitude pass through her.
“I’m sure you will save a great many lives,” said Guyon. “Like you did mine. Never forget that you are always in control of your own destiny.”
She nodded into his chest. “I won’t forget.”
They spent the next half hour taking down their camp and readying themselves for the journey. Brit retrieved her horse from the tree where he was tied, and Una filled her pack with all her things, leaving the rest for Guyon. Together, they exited the forest but that was as far as their journey would take them together.
Guyon raised a hand in farewell as he continued north along the hills. Britomart and Una turned to the right, following the forest in the direction they had originally traveled. Though this time they weren’t heading for the road that would lead them past Castle Silene into the forest proper. This time they would continue east, into the heart of Saxon territory.
Una swallowed, feeling anticipation tingle her skin, and not just because she was riding a horse again, clutching Brit from behind. Despite her upbringing as a princess in Castle Silene, where they had entertained countless dignitaries from foreign nations and local lords alike, she had never met a Saxon before. It was odd that her parents could have lived so close to the invasion itself, and never ask to meet with any of the Saxon leaders. Perhaps they hated the Saxons more than Una had known. It could very well be that their obsession with occult magics was an attempt to find some supernatural way of driving the Saxons back. That would explain a lot, though it would not grant forgivene
ss for their actions. Not for Una at least.
With the death of Uther Pendragon, around the time of Una’s birth, the Saxons had continued to push west against the Britons, and South against the Romans. Castle Silene had been ideally situated along the edge of the Forest of Arden so that most Saxons stayed away. By now, their territory had wrapped around the forest itself, though she was certain that the Saxons still avoided it, perhaps more so now that multiple tears in the fabric of time and space had unleashed the horrors of Annwyn into this realm.
In short, Una had been protected from the influence of the Saxons for her entire life. And now she was riding right into the heart of their territory. What would she find there? Brit seemed capable, if a bit eccentric. But what if they found the Saxons to be every bit as barbaric as the stories claimed?
“You are concerned about spending time among the enemy?” said Brit. Una frowned, wondering how Brit knew she was concerned, as the woman sat in front of her and could not read her face. But perhaps it was more of a question than an observation.
“I admit it,” she said.
“But your magics, they prepare you for any kind of trouble we would find, yes?”
“Yes…” said Una, tentatively. “But I can’t take on armies. At least I don’t think I can.”
“Not everyone across the border are Saxons from what I hear. People are allowed to come and go as they please as long as they acknowledge Saxon rule. And my armor should encourage most to ignore us. But even if we do fight armies, I would love to see more of what you do. Ever since you kept me from moving I have been eager to see you fight.”
“Well I don’t want to hurt any regular people if I can help it,” said Una, clutching Brit a little tighter as the horse took a short leap over a fallen tree. “But if we find Wrath, then you will see everything I can unleash. I can promise you that.”
“I cannot wait to see it,” said Brit, and her voice indicated she was truly excited. “But leave some of the Sin for me, yes?”
Una smiled. “Of course.”
She had to admit, she did like Britomart, even if her ways of thinking were a bit foreign to her. Perhaps they would get along just fine. And hopefully they wouldn’t find Artegall while they traveled, so Una wouldn’t have to worry about stopping Brit from killing him. Even with her magic, she was reasonably certain that she would have to physically restrain the female knight if she came within striking distance of her supposed lover. Una didn’t want to have to do that if she could help it.
“Your magic, it is dangerous?” Brit asked as they continued to ride east.
“Only to those who get in my way,” said Una.
“It does not threaten you, or those close to you?”
Una narrowed her eyes. “Not anymore, why?”
“I’m just curious. I...I hear magic can be a danger to those who do not know how to use it properly. We have heard reports of such among your people.”
“Magic is definitely dangerous,” said Una. “Especially for those who misuse it. I have heard the same things, of a witch, or perhaps more than one, using magic for their own gain.”
“And you are not one to do so, yes?”
Una paused to consider the woman. Why was she asking this now? “No,” she said eventually. “I...let’s just say I had some trouble before, in controlling my magic. But with Guyon’s help, I’ve learned to master it.”
“Just like that?”
“I believe so.”
“Very good,” said Brit, sounding relieved. “That puts my heart at rest.”
They remained silent for much of the journey after that, and Una couldn’t help but wonder why Brit had asked those questions. Sure, it was normal to be wary of someone with magic. Una had restrained Brit upon their first meeting after all. But it almost seemed as though Brit had known something that she wasn’t telling Una, and that something had prompted the additional line of questioning. Had the Faerie Queen said something that Brit had not disclosed?
But Una put it out of her head. After all, the Faerie Queen had asked that Una follow Brit to stop her from doing anything foolish. It wouldn’t make sense for Brit to have similar instructions. Still, she would need to remain vigilant, in case Brit did have some kind of ulterior motives. They had only just met after all, and Brit had progress to make before Una decided to trust her completely. Brit probably felt the same way about her.
Yes, she was overthinking things. Brit was just being cautious for the same reasons that Una would be. It was wise to tread carefully.
6
They rode all day and into the night. Una hated riding, and her rump agreed after a number of hours in the saddle. But she had to admit that they covered twice the distance that they would have travelling on foot.
Yet even still, they didn’t run into any Saxons or other travelers for the entire day. The dark forest still lay to their right as they went on. Though even that disappeared, sloping down south once they passed the road that led past Castle Silene into the heart of the forest. Una was honestly glad that they didn’t have to take that road. She would rather avoid that part of her history if she could.
Instead, they continued onward until they were far deeper into Saxon territory. The first day of travel was uneventful, and they stopped to rest for the evening. While lounging around their evening fire, Una and Brit chatted a bit about where they were headed, and what they would do once they got there.
“We’ll keep going until we reach the coast,” said Brit. “Then we head north, I think. There may be people in Lindum Colonia who might help us. It has become one of the Saxon forts in this region.”
“And you’re certain we’ll be safe?” said Una. She still wasn’t sure about traveling so blatantly into Saxon lands, with or without Brit.
Brit waved a hand dismissively before throwing a few more branches on the fire. “You need not concern yourself. My armor will fool most who see us, if they do not look too close. Besides, many Britons are allowed to live in peace in their lands. The Saxons only deal with the nobility, but the peasants are left alone. So yes, you will be safe. Most will think you a maidservant to me. Or my squire, I have never had a squire.”
“Aren’t most squires men?”
“Aren’t most knights men?” Brit countered.
Una grinned. “Good point. Still, we shouldn’t try and call extra attention to ourselves.”
“Agreed,” said Brit with a dejected look on her face. “I will wear my helmet when we finally meet someone. I am surprised we haven’t crossed paths with others already. I had heard that the Saxons haven’t pushed west aggressively since their attack on the witches, but I would have thought someone would have seen us by now.”
Una nodded. “It is strange, especially now that we’ve passed the main portion of the forest.”
“Yes,” Brit agreed. “We must be watchful.”
Una settled herself down so she was lying on her back, propping herself up on her elbows. “You haven’t told me much of what you’ve done since you arrived in Britain. I get the sense that you’ve already been among the Saxons. I lived near here and never learned as much as you seem to know.”
“Yes, I was exploring this region.”
“A little dangerous. You don’t exactly look like a Saxon without the armor.”
“Not all Saxons have blonde hair. You could pass for a Saxon with the right garb.”
“Not all Britons have dark hair either,” said Una, remembering her friend, Arthur. He was as blonde as any Saxon. Though there was no doubt that Arthur was a Briton, given his lineage through Uther Pendragon.
“This is true. Therefore we have nothing to worry about.”
“So what were you doing before you ended up here anyway?” Una asked.
Brit shrugged, though there was something hidden in her eyes. “I was visiting Merlin.”
That caught Una’s attention. She rose back to a sitting position and stared directly at Brit’s eyes. “You were visiting the Merlin? The same Merlin who gave your fathe
r that strange mirror?”
Brit nodded. “The brigand.”
“You’ve actually met him?”
Brit nodded again. “Though it did not help me.”
“Yes, but you know where he is?”
Brit cocked her head and opened her mouth but said nothing, as though uncertain of how to answer. “It is difficult. He is known to frequent a few places but almost never remains in one or another. I was lucky.”
“Where did you find him?”
“In a cave, very far away. Perhaps later I can show you on a map.” Brit settled herself on her back, resting her head on her pack and adjusting her shoulders. Clearly she was readying herself for sleep.
Una knew there was little more to be gained by probing Brit further, especially when it was late and they would need their strength to travel further the next day. But as she settled herself back down, she found she couldn’t sleep. Thoughts of meeting Merlin crowded her mind. With the Faerie Queen giving her no answers, Merlin was practically the only person Una knew of who could potentially help. He was of the old blood too, if Gloriana was to be believed.
Now, she was traveling away from him, into Saxon territory. Well, she was reasonably sure of one thing. Once Wrath was defeated, or she saved Artegall from Britomart, she would seek Merlin out. She had to know more about the man, to see if he could help her in any way.
She almost wasn’t aware of falling asleep, but she must have at some point because she began to have another strange dream. This time the dream wasn’t of the multi-headed creature that had plagued her several times in the past. This time she was abandoned on a boat in the middle of the ocean, completely alone.
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