wind from the coming storm ruffled its sides. Above them, in the canopy of the trees, dryads swung from branch to branch in the slowly swaying trees as they healed the Forest of Dean as best as they could from the lingering effects of the dragon fire.
Two hellyll warriors stood guard at the entrance. Both nodded in greeting as the two knights entered.
All eyes of the Seelie Court turned to them.
“Welcome, Knights Richard McAllister and Bran Ardall,” the Morrigan greeted from a high-backed chair a bit taller than the others occupied around it. Flowing silk had replaced her armor, her injured arm held carefully in her lap. Two fairies sat perched behind her again, awaiting any need she may have. The other lords nodded their welcome too, each bathed after the battle and in new clothing. Other than the Queen, the only other lord displaying any sign of injury was Lord n’Hagr, his brutish face pale, his left arm gone and bandaged above the elbow. Lord Latobius had also joined the Seelie Court, changed into his human form to sit within the confines of the tent.
With no hint of pain on her chiseled face, the Morrigan gestured with her other hand to a set of chairs set up near the table.
“We will not stay long, Queen,” Richard said, sitting down.
“Are you both well?”
Richard nodded. Bran sat down beside him.
“There is a change in the air,” the Queen began, her eyes scanning the lords. “In gratitude to the Heliwr and the efforts of Bran Ardall, the reign of Philip Plantagenet is finally at an end. Each and every one of you and your peoples surrendered life and blood for our freedom. There is power in that, a strengthening of the bonds of our Court that will stretch across the entirety of Annwn. And even now, as we sit here, the world reasserts its natural order once more, the first chills of a harsh winter long needed stirring within the bowels of stone and dirt and plant.”
“The Cailleach damaged much,” Lord Aife agreed sadly.
“It is our role to put our affairs in order and transition out of that damage,” the Queen said. “How soon may we leave these environs, Mastersmith?”
“The burial proceeds as quickly as it can, my Queen,” Govannon replied, his demeanor weary. “The reclamation of all iron and steel items has continued all morning but it will be some time before we may fully inter our kin to nature. Late tomorrow. Or perhaps early the next day.”
“I see. Unfortunate. The rains will come as we travel home.”
“What of the Graal that started all of this?” Lord Eigion asked.
Lugh stood, still wearing his scarred armor. “When my men overcame the force the Usurper left behind in his city, we ventured into the castle. Women and children were mostly left behind, posing no threat, even if Lord Evinnysan attempted a defense. With the aid of Lord Faric and his coblynau, who see far better in the darkness, we traversed into the catacombs of dungeons as Knight McAllister related. I will not speak of the unnatural breeding pens we discovered, but the chamber where McAllister reported the Graal to be was nothing but a lake, the cup not found. I have my men hunting the plains surrounding Caer Llion in hopes of coming across it and the person who took it.”
“Perhaps one of the prisoners Caswallawn freed during our escape from the dungeons stole it,” Richard said. “Or a group of soldiers pilfering the city before the Tuatha de Dannan entered it.”
“I do not know. It is not likely,” Lugh said. “From what my men and I could discern, one person took the cup. Templar Knights were slaughtered at every turn from the dungeons. Signs pointed at one highly trained individual. From there, nothing was found.”
“We have seen the Graal can be used for terrible evil,” Aife said. “Finding it should be a top priority.”
“It must not be allowed to enter into unknown hands,” the Morrigan said, nodding in agreement. “The Rhedewyr will scour Annwn. And with them, my best and most able trackers.”
“Why does not the Heliwr search for it?” Caswallawn beseeched.
All eyes turned on Richard.
“You are quick to put the knight through another quite dangerous ordeal, Lord Caswallawn,” Lord Finnbhennach interrupted, his horns gleaming beneath the fey light of the orbs. “Especially after he helped return your stolen kingdom.”
“I have no intention of disgracing his gift by suggesting he owes us more,” Lord Caswallawn said.