Arthurian Cultivation

I awoke to find Lancelot staring at me, her look enlightening me as to what a puzzle missing a piece must feel like, and not a corner piece either. I had fallen asleep at some point. Ban and I had played for some time, enough that I wasn't sure when I'd fallen asleep. I actually enjoyed the bagpipes once used to them. I knew why armies marched with them, they could stir the blood as well as instil that sombre mood of reflection that was sometimes necessary.

“I trust you and your mother are safe?” I stretched, a cultivator's body was proof against many things, a sore back from sleeping hunched against stone was not one of them.

“Indeed, though I somehow have more questions about you than I did yesterday. You did mention you'd tell me more of what you knew about the glamour."

"I suppose I did." I groaned, as the woman began to pepper me with questions.

Thus began the next few days of my time with the Ban, Elaine and Lance. I would talk cultivation with Lance, I would play music with Ban, I even became somewhat proficient with the Bagpipes. Elaine would occasionally speak with me, but there was a certain tension. The encounter with the Lady had clearly unsettled her.

That stung most, the warmth of their home was still there, but gone was the easy welcome I'd received. I resented losing it. I didn't appreciate being manipulated like a toy, nor being dragged into anothers dream against my will, but what could I do against one so powerful.

I enjoyed Lance's company, the Squire's dedication to understanding her glamour and easy way of speaking led her to grow on me. Ban was as friendly as anything, and even strained Elaine was pleasant. Still my sense of freedom had been dispelled, was I little more than a puppet? One who only caught glimpses of the strings that made him dance.

Those thoughts only increased as my meeting with the Lady in Peach approached, and I became aware of just how I was being held here merely on the whim of someone powerful. I may have escaped the Harkleys but still my life was dictated by the power of others.

Filled with these thoughts it was on the fourth day that Elaine escorted me to the Elder Witch Nimue's cottage. She was very respectful and didn't accuse me of being a changeling once which was reassuring. Still, I found myself being treated with undue deference. I'd got a better sense of her power last night, she was at the peak of Iron. To have someone so far above me treating me like a falling knife they had to dodge, was unsettling.

“Bard Taliesin, I thank you for helping my husband last night.” She offered as we walked through town.

“I'm pleased to help Lady Elaine. It was a genuine pleasure to make music with someone so skilled.” We had all agreed that unless we were in their sanctum to not discuss the events of the last night.

“Indeed I've rarely seen him so enthused. You are sure you're alright if I briefly speak with Elder Nimue?”

“Of course, how could I deny such gracious hosts such a thing.” I was intrigued by what the discussion would be about, given the animosity I'd sensed between the family and the witch. It was not my business, and right now I just wanted to wrap up my commitments here and then return to check in on Bors.

As we moved through the city, the town was setting up for a festival. Apparently, it was Founders Day the day after tomorrow. An event to commemorate when the town was gifted to the Fos ancestors by one of the local Kings of Euross. It was a yearly event and lasted three days. I could see bunting being hung out, and stalls being set up. The city seemed more lively.

We headed to a quieter part of the city, the buildings were still close together, and people were about on the streets but the bunting was absent, and the air smelt of industry. I could feel the wood glamour as artisans formed and shaped timber. A smith radiated fire and metal glamour.

Among these different places of work, I found I could easily spot ‘The Cottage’ which turned out to be the name of the business, rather than being an actual cottage. A long warehouse stretched down an entire street, and before it people moved ‘politley’ was the only term for it. Men carrying entire trees over their shoulders would stand up straighter. Bawdy conversations turned to debates about local news at a respectful volume.

Elaine was twitching next to me. My escort was more affected than I was. “Bard Taliesin, how do you do it? Stand without flinching before such power?”

“I am entertaining, that is how.” I'd given my behaviour some thought last night, given just how affected Elaine and Lancelot were.

“I don't understand.”

“Simply put I put great stock in being a likeable soul. Forces far greater than me don't need me but they do like a chuckle every now and again. They could wipe me out in a moment, so why fuss, why not focus on what I am best at? And if I get very lucky I might come out of the situation better than I expected, or they anticipated.” I answered, unsettled by how I could feel the truth of the words sink into me. There'd always been the risk that the whole escape attempt would end with a slow clap from a ring of Harkleys, them laughing at my struggles.

Even if that had happened, I knew the life I'd brought up to that moment came from keeping them glued to their seats, watching my half-baked capers.

“Your fortitude does your credit. Let us not keep Elder Nimue waiting.” Elaine's brow creased, I doubted my words had helped her. She got us to a peach-coloured door and waited till the eleventh bell started to ring before knocking.

The door opened, and Alexis was there ushering us in. She didn't seem phased by Elaine. We were shown into the cavernous workshop, I could smell the alchemy, and feel its odd glamours. Alexis brought us to a group of other young women sitting at study desks arranged before a table set with a full tea service for two. Already tucked in was Elder Nimue.

That the girls called her ‘Peaches’ amused me deeply. She was dressed sharply, her dress, peach, of course, was a balance between fashion and practicality, with embroidery here and there, but it lacked the general poof and starch that weighed down courtly designs.

Alexis twitched nervously, as she showed me to my seat, and then rushed to one of the remaining desks. Elaine was left standing alone.

“Lady Elaine, a pleasant surprise to see you here.”

“I beg your pardon for the imposition Elder, I merely wanted to see Bard Taliesin here safely, and communicate to you an interest in resuming our discussion from last year if you're willing. At a time of your choosing of course.”

“Is that so? I shall call in on you tomorrow then around this time. I would love to share a cup of tea.” I could feel the energy crackling between the two, Elaine though seemed to have got what she wanted and nodded. “I hope you will forgive me if I don't see you out myself. The tea will get cold.”

Elaine left, if I felt uncharitable I would describe it as fleeing. I felt the Elder's attention on me again. I nodded and smiled at her. Her face was unreadable, she poured me tea though and forced a biscuit onto my plate.

“You are a very intriguing cultivator, Bard Taliesin. The girls here have all been told of what you've done for young Alexis. I invited you for tea as I believe you could be of some use to my girls, would you be so kind as to help them out.” Her voice let nothing slip, the girls were totally silent.

“Elder Nimue, I am at your disposal,” I answered and took a sip of tea.

“Good, now strip.” I nearly choked.