Side One Hundred And Thirty-Nine – Princess Eleanor Elizabeth Diana Windsor / Prince Henry Philip Charles Windsor

Side One Hundred And Thirty-Nine – Princess Eleanor Elizabeth Diana Windsor / Prince Henry Philip Charles Windsor

Eleanor hung up the call, her face twisted into a frown, blue eyes narrowed. That is a very frustrating man. Worse, I can’t say he’s wrong. It doesn’t sit right with me though. Now that she had finished her call, she returned to the sitting room, where her brother Henry greeted her from the couch he was occupying with his new fiancée, Melissa.

“Who was that, Ellie? Judging from the look on your face, it wasn’t a fun call.” He ran a hand through his reddish-brown hair as he grinned. “Well, tell me all about it, it’s not like I have much else to do while I’m on guard duty.”

“You’re not my guard.” She retorted, vaguely irritated. “Henry, if Max Power somehow broke in here now, it would be me protecting you and Melissa.” Though I feel quite naked without my armour. Not that I can wear an old suit of metal here away from Avalon.

“Don’t be like that.” Henry gave her an infectious grin, yet she could see worry in his eyes still. “After all, now I have one of the relics of Britain, I can surely...” he trailed off as Eleanor gave him a withering glare.

“Do be quiet, brother mine. You shouldn’t be talking about such secrets in company.” She looked at Melissa them, apologetically. “I’m sorry, but even though you are engaged to my foolish, loose-lipped brother, there is a lot we can’t tell you. Not until you are genuinely part of the family.”

“I understand.” Melissa said. “But it isn’t as though I’m going to break up with Henry, you know.”

“I’m sure you won’t.” Eleanor agreed. “But this is concerning the ultimate duty of the Royal Family. I know Americans sometimes don’t understand the concept of Royalty, but we aren’t just privileged and wealthy, we have a duty. Noblesse Oblige. Some duties are heavier than others, but for this one... if I have to lay down my life for it, I will.” She was resolute, and her lips quirked up into a smile. I was so terrified to start with, so alone, thinking I was the unluckiest person in the world. But my comrades, my friends, they have helped me realise I’m not alone, and seeing the nightmares of London, speaking to Raidre of the Fae, learning that other nations of beings not human exist in the Avalon of these shores... I have to do this. I have to stand above my fears. This is why I was born. Of course, telling herself this didn’t completely diminish her fears, she still often woke at night drenched in cold sweat from nightmares, and though she could now step into situations that would leave her gravely injured, the thought of pain still making her grit her teeth in anticipation, she was able to stand against it all. Meeting others who fight too, who share the burden, even if I find some aspects of them distasteful, that helps as well. Her lips quirked into a smile despite herself, remembering him.

“I don’t know a lot about the changing world, but Henry has told me some... nothing that he shouldn’t!” Melissa promised frantically, while Henry stammered in apology. “He likes to brag about how brave you are, Eleanor. It’s impossible for me to understand the kind of resolve that is required to lay down your life for your country. I’m not a soldier, or a firefighter, or a police officer. I’m just a model and an actress. The only fighting I’ve done has been in front of a greenscreen.” Her smile was pretty, and Eleanor understood what her brother saw in her. Melissa continued speaking, her hand in his. “I’ll be your sister soon, Eleanor. So... can’t you open up to me, at least a little? Henry is worried and just wants to help.”

“I know he does. But... I wasn’t lying when I said I am the one here with strength.” Eleanor said softly.

“That’s not true!” Henry declared. “I’ve kept in shape, and more to the point, ever since Akio Oshiro did me that service, I feel stronger than ever.” With a grin he bent down, easily lifting a heavy gilded oak table beside him, though a few beads of sweat stained his brow and his arms were trembling a little. “See? Your brother can lift!” he joked.

I get that he’s trying to lighten the mood, but... Eleanor stood, grabbing Henry, who was still holding the table and hoisted him and it over her head. “Really, I’m sure even Motoko and Natsumi would be able to beat you up, brother. You saw them with that spear.” Putting down her laughing brother, she smiled at the amazement in Melissa’s eyes. “One blessing is, with the power of the other world, the aether, as it’s called, you don’t have to become muscular to grow stronger.” She flexed her seemingly delicate arm.

“Motoko and Natsumi, hmm? Are they on your mind? That means the call, it was from Akio, right?” he said shrewdly, gladly dropping the table, which made a loud thump as it struck the wooden floor. Her gaze drawn, Eleanor could see Henry was carrying a short sceptre of bronze and rust-pitted iron at his belt, looking out of place compared to the expensive jeans and open-necked white shirt he was wearing. That’s the one he was able to take from the Tower. I haven’t seen it in action in Avalon though. She shook her head, remembering when she received her armour. I wore it when I was away from others, looking rather a fool, despite it being useless here. Though Raidre says when the eventual return of Avalon encompasses the world we know, that the armour would shine again, and likely the sceptre and the other relics will be the same.

“Yes, you win, Henry. Do you have to badger me so?” she sighed. “He has been giving us information. And he shared some concerns with me. Greatly insulting ones, you know!” She tried to look indignant, but failed. “I must admit though... even though I am quite sure he is wrong, I do appreciate his worry.”

“That’s just like you, Ellie.” Henry said soothingly. “Always seeing the best in people. Why, if that Mary Stuart spoke to me like she did to you, I’d have given her the back of my hand.” He gestured, and Melissa whacked him on the head, annoyed.

“You can’t hit a woman, Henry! She’s of the cloth, as well!”

“Come on Mel, woman or not, she has an acid tongue, and clearly is unhappy with Ellie! But you’re right, that wouldn’t solve anything. But Akio, I like to think I’m a pretty good judge of character, and he seemed sincere. And, well, he did help you, didn’t he, Ellie? Like he said, he would have had opportunities to get rid of you if that was his goal.”

Melissa was listening quietly, a little confused, and Eleanor, having thought the same, despite her earlier accusations on the phone, snorted unhappily, her wanting to trust him warring with her desire to deny the visions and prophecies he talked of, that those she trusted, thought of as friends, would betray her. “Well, some of your ex-girlfriends might disprove that, Henry...” she began, before flushing, embarrassed. “Sorry Melissa. Poor choice of a joke in front of you.” She sighed, apologising. “I was irked that he would tell me I should be additionally wary of certain of my companions, simply because they were Catholics. I find that offensive.”

“Come on, Ellie. I don’t think he means it like that. A vast majority of Catholics are good God-fearing, charitable people, and I’m sure your companions are no exception. But... if he’s looking for a point of commonality, it makes sense. After all, we have two suspicious people. Maxwell Power and Mary Stuart. He’s a cautious one, it seems.”

“Henry, as a Veteran, you know how important trust is.” Eleanor began, and he shook his head.

“Ellie, we’ve been over this. He believes he has good reason to warn you, and considering how much you strike back at him when he does, I‘d say he’s gone above and beyond for you.” He grinned. “I would say he’s sweet on you, Ellie, but considering those girls he was going around with...”

“That maid of his, Hyacinth, she really hates me.” Eleanor said, surprised at how hurt she felt over that. Saying she would rip out my tongue was going rather too far, I’d say... “She cursed me out as though she wished to kill me.”

“I bet you said something cutting, Ellie. Really, the two of you hardly hit it off.” Henry said, and Melissa spoke up.

“I understand, Eleanor. I found him rather arrogant and his behaviour with women is immoral.”

“Behaviour aside... he’s right. It is wrong of us to judge.” She sighed. “At least not without all the facts, and those girls are willing to even fight by his side, despite being so weak...”

“Are these the girls you said could beat me up?” Henry laughed. “They had resolve. I don’t like it when such resolve is mocked. I expect Hyacinth is the same. Besides, if someone was to badmouth my Mel, I’d be furious too.”

As his fiancée smiled, Henry continued. “If it was just your life, it’d be different, Ellie. But it’s not, is it? No, you’ve admitted you carry the weight of Britain on your shoulders. Well, I’ll be there to help you now.” He patted the sceptre happily. “Uncle Arthur and the others are undertaking an evaluation, right? There’s no way Arthur will betray you, Ellie, but he insisted on taking any tests along with the others, and he’s happy to do it. He’d rather you be apologetic for doubting them, than get stabbed in the back. And I agree.”

“Yes, Sir Arthur would never turn on me.” Eleanor agreed. “But it’s so frustrating. Apparently Max Power is a fake, and the forces under Mary Stuart were all decoys and she’s vanished. At least she didn’t kill anyone, like Max Power did, but... well, Mary-Jane can heal them, I hope.” If not, I could always send them to Japan. Brave men deserve the best care...

“Prince Henry, isn’t this a surprise? What brings you here?” she asked, speaking English again, her moss-green eyes looking as friendly and unconcerned as if she was simply meeting him for afternoon tea, which was somehow more chilling, with the blood soaking her grin, and the savage battle continuing on in the shadow of the Cathedral. “I was expecting your sister, after all, I have gone to great pains to welcome her!”

Unable to respond, Henry glared at her in silence, and Mary shrugged, her smile unchanging. “Of course, the Lord has your tongue. [Speak!]” The strange words were said again, and Henry could almost divine the meaning, as he was showered by her bloody spittle.

Wheezing, the invisible grip on his mouth released, he spat out the words. “Mary Stuart! You’ve betrayed my sister, the Queen, all of Britain! How can you do this? Eleanor is protecting London, if you do this, all she has done will be lost, and the people will be at risk! How can you, as a good Christian, countenance this? You can’t believe God would want all this suffering?”

Mary continued to smile, eyeing him curiously. “What God wants is to save this world, and as many sinners as he can.” She said, and Henry knew she believed it, her eyes were glittering with absolute certainly. He managed to shift his gaze a little, and he could see that Raidre and his surviving selkie were beating a hasty retreat, leaving the dead on both sides behind, slowly fading to some sort of silvery balls that shimmered like a rainbow on an oil slick. The singing voices of the Choir were continuing, as the surviving armoured warriors pressed forwards, only to come under attack from a volley of shimmering bolts of energy, punching through several, killing them instantly and forcing them back, their charge halted.

“Your people are dying, don’t you feel anything?” he asked, and Mary Stuart shrugged again.

“I feel great grief and sadness, of course.” She said, a tear running down her face. “Believe it or not, while I loathe sinners and those who spurn the Lord, I have compassion. After all, I too was a wretched unbeliever, a mocker, once. But I repented. And it is not too late for your sister, or for you. But the hour is at hand. The cock will soon crow. I grieve for all lost souls, but when the Earth joins the Ninth Heaven, all will rejoice.” She looked down at him, her hands fidgeting with a ring on her finger, gleaming gold. “It’s simply a matter of time. I can wait no longer. Britain is stealing what does not belong to it, and that must stop, the worship returned. Now, I am surprised. How did you hide the fact you were blessed from me, Prince Henry? I suppose it must be a false, heathen God.”

She leaned in close, and her beautiful, bloodstained face was pressed against his, and his body would have flinched, were he able to move. “Don’t listen to them. Their truths create the lie. The world is indeed in grave danger, and this infighting is what will condemn us. There are many mansions, and more monsters under the heavens. Only the Ninth Heaven offers safety and succour.” Her breath was hot on his cheek, and he listened dumbly, unable to escape. “I do not relish death, but I am prepared to die, as are all the Church of True Revelation. The world has changed. The Pope, may God bless him, is a good, kind man. But kindness will not stave off the end. So we will wade in blood if we must, our own and those of the sinners. We will bear the crown of thorns, and in the end, the Lord of the Ninth Heaven will judge us. I do not fear damnation, only failure. Those who live by the sword, even if wielded in a good cause, will perish by the sword.” She pulled away, and Henry found himself regretting it for a moment, her smile almost mesmerising him like a deadly snake.

“Now, this is a fortunate meeting. If you are prepared to give up the blessing of your false god, the impious demon that has beguiled you, I will return you power such as befits more a Prince. Though your ancestors brought forth that hollow shell called the Church of England, I cannot fault you for it. Look...” She gestured to her forces, which even now were engaging a group of strangely-moving green-skinned creatures wearing long black and red hats, like jesters, the halo of light burning the frontrunners to sparkling silver dust. “... only the Ninth Heaven can bestow the ability for true believers, those who did not earn the Lord’s blessing, to enter this distorted world filled with Godless abominations. I can make better use of that power, and I will return it to you in a different form. It is not a bad offer, is it? Now, a question. Can you access the basement of the Tower of London? What is there should never have belonged to you. If so... I have no need to bother your sister any longer.”

Henry merely laughed uproariously, until tears sprang from his eyes. Seeing that, Mary clenched her bloody lips, eyes narrowing, but that just made Henry laugh harder. Only you, huh? Such arrogance, Mary Stuart. I’m proof you are full of shit, and I’ve seen others.

“I am not seeing what is so amusing.” Mary said balefully. [There Are No Lies Before The Lord.]

The strange words came again, Mary wincing in pain, before she returned to speaking English. “Now, what is so amusing, Prince? If you delay, surely your sister will eventually come running. Can you access the basement of the Tower?”

“I was just laughing at you being so wrong.” Henry found he had to speak, and his ears and nose were bleeding freely now, his mouth numb. “I have no gift, I’m not a Gods’ Chosen.” At those confident words, Mary looked as if she was going to speak up, but he continued, words compelled from him. “As for the basement? You mean the room of relics? Yes, I can.” Curse my damn mouth, why can’t I keep silent? If she steals the precious treasures that our family has gathered for fifteen hundred years, the items of destiny...

“No, not that Godless trash.” Mary declared, angered. “The true basement, here in this world! Where what you have stolen from us lies, waiting to be reclaimed. The Holy Grail!”

“The Grail? That’s just a stupid Arthurian legend.” Henry managed, amazed and flabbergasted. “Joseph of Arimathea never even came to England. If the Grail exists, it’s long lost...” he paused as she grabbed his chin, her fingers biting into his flesh with enough force to crack bone, and one tooth was forced free, making him groan. Damn, I wonder if Ellie and Mel are seeing this? Don’t the injuries go between worlds?

“I’m not here to debate theology. I know the difference between myth and truth.” She snarled, for the first time her mask dropping. “The Fisher King was real though, and the great cauldron of Annwfn that he guarded was taken from his lands and the Tower of London built to protect it when the Kingship changed to the Norman lines.”

“Talking of false Gods?” Henry managed, unimpressed, though his mind was racing. “That’s your Holy Grail?”

“No, but...” her voice hissed. “The truth of the Grail is tied with the Ninth Heaven. Prayer, belief, shapes worlds, all worlds, this blighted realm most of all. And the faithful, their prayers gather, sacred objects, relics, sites, they all attracted the Adherence of the Ninth Heaven. As does your false Grail, so many stories, myths and lies dwell in the minds of others. Adherence that belongs to us!” She gestured wildly. “The world may seem peaceful, but this is only a shallow wall separating us from the chaos. Already creatures such as those damn seals walk amongst us. But the creatures of myth and legend are nothing compared to what lurks above. While your sister bleeds the power worthlessly strengthening this pathetic hallowed ground that can be kicked over by a child, we could be putting it to use. We must use it.” Her eyes burned with fanaticism. “Only then can we guide Earth into the embrace of the Ninth Heaven, and the only true safety. So, can you reach it? The Tower prevents all but Royalty who can access this world from entering. And destroying those ancient wards would be... troubling.”

“Sorry to disappoint, but I told you, I’m not special. Besides, only the Queen and her designated heir can do it.” Henry said, unable to stop himself, despite trying to bite his tongue.

“In that case... I suppose I need your sister after all. Well, why not keep me company a while? Sooner or later she will have to come, her and all her friends.” The grin she gave was knowing, and Henry felt a surge of fear. Akio’s right. She’s got allies in amongst the group. That look can’t mean anything else. But who and how many?

“One thing I don’t understand is why we were being watched so closely? Fortunately I was ready to move. Yes, I find it... difficult... to be polite to those who try my patience, my grandmother, may she be enshrined in the Ninth Heaven, under His light, always used to criticise me for that. But it seemed the scale of interest in us had spiked recently. Why?”

“Because...” Henry stopped suddenly, as the sky darkened, a tide of something black covering the skies flooding outwards, surrounding the Tower of London, drawing Mary’s eyes.

I can’t hold my words, but... as her attention wavered, he managed to divert them a little. “Max Power.” He gasped. “Maxwell Power is already dead, he’s a fake. He’s like you and Ellie...”

“Nonsense. If Max Power was using sinful powers, I’d know. He wanted to be granted the grace of the Ninth Heaven, so he helped me to win over...” her eyes went wide as a shining lance of silver carved up into the skies of London, and feathers fell like a blizzard, followed by a cawing host of Ravens, the cacophony deafening.

“...if it is Max...” she said suddenly, looking uncertain. “... was he using me? No, letting someone else take all my hard work is a failure I will not allow, not this...” her teeth ground together, and Henry shouted a command, his voice his own as she wavered.

“Kill her, quickly! Don’t stop until she’s defeated!” he screamed, throat raw. At that moment the living armours clanked forwards at a speed far faster than Henry could have imagined, and the lead knight swung a sword. Henry tore to his feet, wincing as muscles and tendons protested as he got off his knees.

Mary Stuart dodged back, nearly stumbling over her white and gold robes, and as he ran she called [Remain...] Her words were cut off, a line of blood blooming as a spear pierced her side. Turning to the attacking knights she cursed, but Henry did not see what was happening, as he raced for the Tower. I can feel the binding on me loosening, she wasn’t able to fully reapply it, the living armours interrupted her.

The Tower was the key. Henry ran, the tide of goblins being cut down one by one blocking Mary’s forces, preventing them from progressing, bolts of energy flying out towards them from several directions, though the ones from the Tower had stopped. Now he was approaching, Henry could see dead ravens and silver sparkles littering the ground, and a figure stepping inside the Tower. Is that Max Power? I’ll just check and make sure, then I’ll hopefully be able to flee...