The First Night of Samhain

The First Night of Samhain was a virtual representation of one of Eivor Varinsdottir's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan in 2020 through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.

Description

Eivor traveled to Glowecestre to meet with Gunnar and Brigid.

Dialogue

Some time after rescuing Sigurd, Eivor went to Gunnar's forge in Ravensthorpe and found a woman standing at his stall.

• Rima: Hello. Need something forged?
• Eivor: Good day. Is Gunnar about or... did he leave and not mention it?
• Rima: My name is Rima, and Gunnar is a good friend of mine. Asked me to run his shop while he's away.
• Eivor: It is good to meet you, and strange to see Gunnar away from his forge.
• Rima: Well, as far as I know, he's got a very compelling—and beautiful—reason for his absence. So here I am.
• Eivor: Well, if Gunnar has faith in you, I do too.
• Rima: Then I'd say you have fine taste. Have a look at what I've got.

Eivor perused Rima's wares and services before taking her leave.

• Eivor: I'll see you later, friend.
  I must be on my way now, goodbye.
  I have to go, see you soon.
• 'Rima: So long.
  Farewell, Eivor.

Eivor inspected the forge house and found a letter to Gunnar on a crate near his bed.

Love Letter to Gunnar

(The handwriting is far too difficult to read.)

Later, Eivor returned to the Alliance map room and spoke to Randvi about pledging to Glowecestrescire.

• Eivor: What transpires in Glowecestrescire?
• Randvi: You may have noticed that Gunnar has disappeared from his forge. He has traveled to Glowecestrescire in search of a wife.
• Eivor: A wife?
• Randvi: He is in love.
• Eivor: When did this happen?
• Randvi: When doesn't this happen with our dear, lovelorn blacksmith? But there is a bright side. He has asked you to join him.
• Eivor: Join his search for a wife?
• Randvi: And see that he does not make a fool of himself. I believe he thinks that your presence would bolster his image.

Eivor pledged to Glowecestrescire.

• Eivor: All right. I'll be Gunnar's keeper. If only to bring him back in one piece.
• Randvi: Very generous of you. Make for the town of Glowecestre. You will find him there.

Eivor traveled to Glowecestre and arrived to find Gunnar. Looking at the western part of town, Eivor spotted Gunnar with his love, Brigid, besides a house.

• Eivor: There you are, Gunnar. And with a smile like I haven't seen in some time.

Gunnar caught sight of an incoming Eivor.

• Gunnar: Eivor, over here!

Eivor meeting Gunnar and Brigid

Eivor spoke with Gunnar.

• Gunnar: Eivor! Thought I smelt you on the wind!
• Eivor: Gunnar, with the speed you left home, I thought you've been carried off by Valkyries.
• Gunnar: I have. This Valkyrie right here. Brigid, my heart's root, meet Eivor.
• Eivor: It takes a rare woman to nail down our Gunnar.
• Brigid: (unintelligible) (He's a good man. One who admires you greatly.)

Eivor blinked in confusion.

• Eivor: Uh, good to meet you as well.

How did you meet?Tell me about yourselfWhen are you marrying?

• Eivor: How did you find a woman in these backwoods?
• Gunnar: She came through the settlement selling runes. Outshone every stone in her satchel. She offered me a trade, a rune for the brooch I was making. I got the better deal, but she loves the ugly little thing.

• Eivor: What do you do around here, Brigid? Except keep Gunnar out of mischief.
• Brigid: (unintelligible) I specialize in runes, spells, and charms.
• Eivor: And my Gunnar? What are you gonna do with him?

Brigid did not reply.

• Eivor: So, is the wedding here? When you spoke of a wedding feast, Gunnar, I hoped it would be at home.
• Gunnar: No, no, no, we're here for the festival and blessings. Brigid's hand must be given. You know me, Eivor, I'm forged in honor.
• Eivor: Whose blessing? I see no pitchfork-shaking father or weeping mother.
• Gunnar: Ha! Glowecestre's ealdorman, Cynon. He helped raise Brig since she was a pup.

• Eivor: Have you a family, Brigid?
• Brigid: (unintelligible) (My mother and father walk together in Annwn. Cynon helped raise me.)
• Gunnar: Brig's Ma and Pa were the last high priestess and ealdorman. They've since passed on, but the current ealdorman looks out for her.
• Eivor: I should like to meet this ealdorman of yours, if our kinfolk are to be joined.
• Gunnar: A union forged in love! Come, we'll go find him. O, and don't blame me if he's heard a tale or two about you. What about it, Brig?
• Brigid: (unintelligible) (No thanks, you two are bags of hot air around each other. Let Eivor get the earful.)

Eivor flared an eyebrow quizzically.

• Gunnar: Right. No daylight to waste then, eh?

Eivor following Gunnar into the town

Brigid went inside her house as Eivor followed Gunnar.

• Eivor: So, the ealdorman may have heard a tale or two about my exploits?
• Gunnar: Not all from me! Your name will be on the lips of every skald for years to come.
• Eivor: Hm. And the Mercians here are not unsettled by lurking vikingr?
• Gunnar: They came from all over to celebrate Samhain. Most are too busy with the festivities to pay us mind.
• Eivor: Samhain? Is that what these carved roots are for, this tradition?
• Gunnar: Aye! Faces cut into lanterns to ward off evil spirits and guide children home.
• Eivor: They have a haunted look about them. Let's bring a few back.

Gunnar and Eivor arrived at the center of the Samhain preparations to meet with the ealdorman Cynon.

• Gunnar: There's the ealdorman. Cynon!

Cynon noticed Gunnar and went back to his constiuents.

• Eivor: A good leader, seeing to his people's needs. Let us join hands when his task is done.
• Gunnar: Ja. Then let's introduce you to Tewdwr.

Tewdwr noticed Gunnar, who waved at him.

• Gunnar: Hands as clammy as a dead haddock, but his heart is in the right place. And he'll be ealdorman after Cynon.

Gunnar introducing Eivor to Tewdwr

Tewdwr came into the conversation.

• Gunnar: Tewdwr! This is Eivor, my chieftain.
• Tewdwr: Ah, yes. The way Gunnar speaks, I expected—
• Eivor: Me to ride in on a winged horse? Cure the sick and the blind? His compliments are as blunt as his hammer.
• Tewdwr: Ah, more pagans crowding our table. Just lovely. What brings you here?

My friend's weddingWhat's your problem?You're the next ealdorman?

• Eivor: I am here to hasten my friend's marriage and drink my weight in ale. If friendship comes afterwards, then all the better.

• Eivor: Have I wronged you? I am here only for the wedding. Where I come from, we do not poison the well of friendship so swiftly.

• Eivor: The way people hear talk, Cynon's boots are hard to fill, and your feet look small.
• Gunnar: Ha! All good friendships start with wit-battles.

• Tewdwr: And what has Dane friendship done for Christian Mercia? Unseated God-right kings for puppet rulers?

We brought stabilityWatch your tongue(Say nothing)

• Eivor: So-called puppet kings keep your lands safe and your bellies full. I ask no thanks, only hospitality.

• Eivor: I am here as a friend to Gunnar. I do not like to make enemies when breaking bread. So tread careful, boy.

Eivor looked down and then glared at Tewdwr.

• Gunnar: Apples! Eivor, wait until you try the cider. You like cider, eh, Tewdwr? Cider?

Cynon joining the group conversation

Ealdorman Cynon walked into the conversation.

• Cynon: Ahh! You must be Eivor? Tewdwr, I see you've welcomed our honored guest! Come just in time for my last Samhain!
• Tewdwr: At your behest, we welcome all pagans set upon God's own Glowecestre.
• Cynon: Tewdwr, as your Harvest King, I demand that you remove the turnip from your arse and be merry.

Eivor smiled at Cynon's remark.

• Cynon: So you've come to meet the family? Before you whisk my Brigid away to her life as a smithy's bride?
• Eivor: We're honored to have her join the Raven Clan. But your lush landscape will be hard to match.
• Cynon: I must give away girl and land in this misty season. But Gunnar is a good man, and he speaks tirelessly of you.
• Tewdwr: If you will excuse me... I have matters to attend to.
• Cynon: Ah, yes, the shrine! And with so many thieves and fangs on the path. A fellow may fall in God's service.

Cynon looked to Eivor to escort Tewdwr and she agreed.

• Tewdwr: Cynon! I do not need a heathen escort!
• Cynon: Youth cut down in its prime. Without even the memory of warm thighs and cider to sustain him in the afterlife.
• Eivor: Then, by my honor, I shall not rest until I return him to you safely. Aye, Tewdwr?
• Tewdwr: I see I'm outmatched. Though a Dane joining in praise to Saint Kenhelm? God will weep.
• Gunnar: My ladylove calls, Eivor. O, if you'd like to join us later, we're going hoodening this eve.
• Cynon: Go. May you have a fire-forged friendship. Watch for fairies, fen-folk, and fiends. I have a hand-fastening to oversee, an apprenticeship to officiate, and a pig to slaughter.

Cynon bowed and left.

• Tewdwr: Shall we, then?

Eivor escorting Tewdwr to Saint Kenhelm's shrine in the woods

Eivor escorted Tewdwr to his shrine.

• Tewdwr: Samhain! Cynon humors these Pagans too much. It is the first thing gone when I am ealdorman. Fires and magic, spirits in the air, Glowecestrescire has strayed from God's light.
• Eivor: People need carousing. Especially before the winter frost. A festival brings warmth and cheer.
• Tewdwr: God's light does not dim as the nights chill. But the winters are hard upon the children. Seeing them run around...
• Eivor: It lightens the heart. Are there priests in your lands? I have met a few, liked even fewer.
• Tewdwr: The profane has gone unchallenged here. I alone am the reformation. They are a flock in need of the shepherding.
• Eivor: And how will you lead this great renewal?
• Tewdwr: They will fill the church's pews, and we will thank Him for the gifts He brings. Not false idols of wood and clay.
• Eivor: And yet are we going to pray at the idol of another? Is this Saint Kenhelm your god?
• Tewdwr: No. And we do not call him such. He is simply closer to the Lord's ear. Low in a mead of kine under a thorn, lieth poor Kenhelm king-born. Is this land not beautiful, Eivor?
• Eivor: Aye.

Eivor and Tewdwr arrived at St. Kenhelm's Falls.

• Tewdwr: Look, the path is untouched by danger. So, your company is not needed.
• Eivor: You're a kinder man than the mask you wear. You won't be rid of me. I'll keep my word to Cynon for your safe return.

Eivor stood by as Tewdwr prepared to pray to Saint Kenhelm

As Tewdwr prayed at the shrine, Eivor spoke to him.

• Eivor: I don't understand this Christian praying. I thank Odin while standing. Why get your knees dirty?
• Tewdwr: To humble ourselves before God. Besides, I've dirtied my knees doing worse.
• Eivor: That sounds like a tale I'd like to lend my ear to.
• Tewdwr: Please Eivor, I must pray.
• Eivor: Should I watch or... turn my back?
• Tewdwr: O Lord, gift upon this lowly servant your greatest gift. Patience.
• Eivor: I will not have to interrupt your prayer to protect you, Tewdwr.
• Tewdwr: And yet, you insist on doing so... What is it you're looking at? A hare?

Eivor and Tewdwr noticed a group of wild boars readying to attack.

• Eivor: Tewdwr, get to safety!

Eivor fighting off the wild boars

Tewdwr hid away while Eivor readied to fight the creatures.

• Eivor: Find somewhere to hide!
• Tewdwr: Where did they come from?

The boars took notice of Eivor and began their charge.

• Tewdwr: Fell the swine!

Eivor killed all the wild boars.

• Tewdwr: Whew, that was close.

Eivor spoke with Tewdwr.

• Tewdwr: Eivor! Thank you... for saving my life.
• Eivor: It is good I was here to protect you. Maybe Cynon has the eyes of prophecy.
• Tewdwr: 'sblood. Cloven hoofed and sent by Lucifer himself! This land must be returned to God's grace.
• Eivor: More likely this shrine is in their territory.
• Tewdwr: Lord, we thank thee for Your protection—
• Eivor: It is not safe here.
• Tewdwr Give me my moment's prayer, Eivor. I ask only this.
• Eivor: We should return to Glowecestre. Unless you'd like to thank the little martyr here for tonight's feast?

Tewdwr expressing his gratitude to Eivor

• Tewdwr: I am not a babe in the woods in need of constant guard. Go on without me.
• Eivor: I gave Cynon—
• Tewdwr: Yes, yes, your word. And when I see him, I will say you protected me from being skewered upon those devils' tusks.

Eivor began to leave as Tewdwr began to pray.

• Tewdwr: And Eivor? I owe you a drink at least, later, if you'd have one. Find me at the festivities.

Eivor met with Gunnar and Brigid upon her return to the town

Eivor left and went to meet with Gunnar. Eivor soon spoke with Gunnar.

• Gunnar: Eivor! There you are.
• Eivor: Here I am.
• Gunnar: So! What adventures did you find in my absence?
• Eivor: Escorted Tewdwr to the shrine of some Christian saint. Our path was not peaceful. Accosted by a singular of boars.
• Brigid: (unintelligible) (Odd. That path is usually safe. Are you injured?)

Eivor continued on in bewilderment, making no sense of Brigid's speech.

• Gunnar: But you saved his hide? I bet it was quite the sight, two of you as a pair.

He's fineI doubt TewdwrI need a drink

• Eivor: I kept my word to Cynon, and that spatchcock Tewdwr lives.
• Gunnar: Restraint, Eivor? I was half-expecting you to wallop the lad round the head and arse.
• Eivor: I've bridged hands with most of England, Gunnar. And, I've held my temper around worse than Tewdwr.

• Eivor: How did Tewdwr become Cynon's successor? He speaks with his God's fire, but I do not quite believe it.
• Brigid: (unintelligible) (I watched the church fathers harden Tewdwr's heart. He believes he is doing God's work.)
• Gunnar: Hm. Tragic that is. I think the lad can still be molded, Eivor. You might be just the one to do that.

Eivor sighed.

• Eivor: I need a drink.
• Gunnar: Try the cider. It's from last year's apple harvest.

Gunnar poured himself and Eivor two jugs of cider.

• Gunnar: Skal.
• Eivor: Skal.

Eivor and Gunnar having a drink

Gunnar and Eivor drank the cider.

• Eivor: So, you invited me to a hoodening. What mischief is this?
• Brigid: (unintelligible) (We dress up as spirits and creatures of the veil to beg for treats.)
• Gunnar: Glowecestre gives their glut to otherworldly visitors. And, if you dress as one, you'll get that bounty yourself.
• Eivor: Freely given? Hmph, I've only seen such a thing done at feasts.
• Gunnar: Then we'll turn you into a beastie, and have you roam the hills braying for sweets and drinks.

Gunnar and Brigid dressed up Eivor in her disguise.

• Eivor: It's hardly a disguise. Just a cloak and some bones.
• Gunnar: Nonsense! You are the very spirit of the Mari Lwyd. Now, let's hooden!

Eivor left the house.

• Gunnar: Become the Mari Lwyd, the spirit who sings for cake and ale! And you cannot have your cloak back until we leave.
• Eivor: I'll keep this covering, but even a knife to my throat could not make me sing on command.
• Gunnar: Shame. I've heard your voice. Clear as a bell. Larks fall from the sky in envy.

Eivor walked outside with the disguise donned.

• Eivor: Gunnar, if no one else is dressed this way, I will fill your shop with sheep.

Eivor approached the house across the street from Brigid's home to begin trick-or-treating.

Wearing the hoodRemoved the hood

• Gunnar: That house for sure.

• Gunnar: Eivor, Eivor, put the hood on!

Eivor put the hood back on.

Attempting to knock on any door without her hood yielded only silence.

• Eivor: Locked. No one home.

She pulled her disguise back on and accepted its necessity.

Eivor visiting the first house for the festival

She knocked on the door, and it opened.

• Eivor: Trick or treat.
• Anglo-Saxon Man 1: What business have you? O, the Mari Lwyd. Right, right, we're doing cakes instead of beer this year. Samhain night and the moon is high, Mari Lwyd haunts my door...

Give me sweets, and candied treats, the kind I most adoreThe air is chilling, and ghosts are spilling all across the misty moor

• Eivor: Give me sweets, and candied treats, the kind I most adore.
• Anglo-Saxon Man 1: Haha! Here, then. Sweets for the Mari Lwyd, you've earned it.

Eivor received one cake.

• Eivor: The air is chilling, and ghosts are spilling all across the misty moor.
• Anglo-Saxon Man 1: Ooh, ghosts and beasties. Here, spirit, take your reward.

Eivor received two cakes.

Eivor and Gunnar looked around for other houses, heading up a hill. Eivor grew annoyed with her costume.

• Gunnar: Are you playing the role of trickster spirit?
• Eivor: Can trickster spirits see? The eyeholes in this mask are terrible.
• Gunnar: All it takes is a mask and some sweetcakes to turn you into a gentle skald.

Eivor gritted her teeth at Gunnar's remark.

• Eivor: I am not going to sing, Gunnar.

Eivor knocked at another house. Its door opened.

• Eivor: Are you ready to rhyme with me?
• Anglo-Saxon Man 2: Down the road from my abode, there is an open veil...

Hope to gods this Mari Lwyd doesn't failI've been here knocking, and a-walking, now give me cake and ale

• Eivor: Hope to gods this Mari Lwyd doesn't fail.
• Anglo-Saxon Man 2: Ah, have a cake for your troubles, then.

Eivor received one cake.

• Eivor: I've been here knocking, and a-walking, now give me cake and ale.
• Anglo-Saxon Man 2: Brilliant, that is!

Eivor received two cakes.

The flow of treats began to lighten Eivor's mood while Gunnar took note of some troublemakers.

• Gunnar: Lads getting into their cups scaring the wee ones.

He turned his attention back to Eivor.

• Gunnar: Eivor, mighty warrior, knocker of doors, victors of cakes. How does it feel to pillage what is freely given?
• Eivor: A worthy haul. And a tradition worth keeping up!

Eivor and Gunnar passed by a woman chanting a story to some of the children.

• Modron: Then... through the mist of the night, they saw a woman at the crossroads, dressed in all white. And the children knew they should not have been out in the late, and in the dark. So, they bent low to the ground.
• Gwenydd: It's Y Ladi Wen!
• Modron: That's right, my love, Y Ladi Wen. The White Lady. Her dark eye fell upon the children and—
• Gwenydd: Haha!
• Modron: Which is why none of you should run out alone to the woods tonight. You will stay in sight of the tree and the wicker man. Yes?
• Anglo-Saxon Child 1: Yes, Mother Modron.
• Anglo-Saxon Child 2: Yes, Mother Modron.
• Modron: Now, the first of you to bring me back a candied chestnut shall have a treat!

Eivor knocked on the next door, which opened.

• Eivor: Good—
• Anglo-Saxon Man 3: O! Thank the gods! We've been waiting for children all night to empty our stores so we can go to the party. Have some extra.

Eivor received two more cakes. With three houses visited, Eivor turned around to speak with Gunnar, only to find him and missing.

• Eivor: Look at these cakes! Sweet as honey, Gunnar. You should see this. Gunnar?

After a pause, she realized her previously-collected cakes were with him.

• Eivor: ...My cakes.

Eivor knocked at another nearby house.

• Eivor: I have come to rhyme with you.
• Anglo-Saxon Woman 1: In the gloaming, see her roaming, hidden 'neath a hood...

To each dwelling, fate foretelling, it's the Mari LwydNever knowing who is knocking, wanting something good

• Eivor: To each dwelling, fate foretelling, it's the Mari Lwyd.
• Anglo-Saxon Woman 1: Well done.

Eivor received two cakes.

• Eivor: Never knowing who is knocking, wanting something good
• Anglo-Saxon Woman 1: O, very nice.

Eivor received one cake.

Walking down the road towards the river, Eivor found Gunnar at the fishing docks with a crowd of people around him.

• Eivor: Gunnar? Damn deserter.

Eivor came upon an argument between Gunnar and an Anglo-Saxon

Eivor went to see the argument between Gunnar and a local.

• Gunnar: You are either fearless or stupid, boy, to speak to someone of the Raven Clan this way.
• Anglo-Saxon Man 4: Fitting name for scavengers! Winged rats taking what isn't yours!
• Gunnar: I'll peck out your eyes and feed them to your god.
• Eivor: Gunnar, we are guests here. Let him go, we can hooden more.

The local man tried to punch Eivor.

• Eivor: You seem to want your nose broken, so let me oblige.
• Brigid: (unintelligible) (Christ, not again.)

Gunnar and Eivor fought against the local man.

• Anglo-Saxon Man 4: It's you lot we should be burning alive!
• Eivor: Are you sure you don't want to stay in Glowecestre?
• Gunnar: They know how to have fun!

As the fight progressed, the thickskulled local injured Gunnar, who suddenly fell to the ground.

• Gunnar: Thor's beard! My leg!
• Eivor: Gunnar!
• Brigid: (unintelligible) (Be careful, my love!)

Modron interrupting the conflict

As the brawl ended, the storytelling woman from earlier marched forward to break them up.

• Modron: Enough! Keep your brawls to the other side of the river! There's children about.

Eivor wonEivor lost

The local rose slowly to his feet while clutching his head.

The local smiled smugly at Eivor and thumped his chest while Eivor wiped her mouth.

• Anglo-Saxon Man 4: I don't answer to you, witch.
• Modron: Tamas Fletcher, I brought you into this world, wiped your mother's birth blood from your face. Mind your tongue.

Modron tending to Gunnar

Tamas left as Modron tended to Gunnar.

• Modron: Let's see that leg, then.
• Gunnar: It's nothing.
• Eivor: Careful with the old man, he's had many winters worth of wounds.
• Brigid: (unintelligible) (You're lucky Modron's around to patch this up.)

Thanks for helpingWill he be okay?Who are you?

• Eivor: Your aid is welcome.
• Modron: Men drown themselves in ale on Samhain. But I fear for the fragile peace when Tewdwr becomes ealdorman.
• Brigid: (unintelligible) (Men will be foolish, regardless of who holds power.)

• Eivor: Will he walk again?
• Modron: The gash is deep. If I cannot save the leg, the pigs will eat well tonight.

Gunnar looked up in horror.

• Eivor: That man called you a witch.
• Modron: I lead those who follow the Old Ways in Glowecestrescire. But I offer my healing services on both sides of the river.

Gwenydd came up from behind.

• Modron: Gwenydd, my love, go back to the house and bring me the garlic salve.
• Gwenydd: And the worms? Are we cleaning or cutting, Mother?
• Modron: Yes, grab the worms just to be safe. Now, go, child. I promise not to cut it off before your return.
• Gunnar: Eir, give me strength!

Modron offers her help to Gunnar and his gashed leg

• Brigid: (unintelligible) (Mother Modron is known for her dark humor, Gunnar.)
• Gunnar: I'm glad you're all finding my mortal injury so funny. Go, Eivor, make merry and try to loosen Tewdwr's shoulders.

Eivor joined in the dark humor of the moment.

• Eivor: Modron, you do not have to save his leg. I will understand.
• Modron: That limb will be fine. But no medicine in England will stop the dribble from his mouth. I do not work miracles.

Eivor left Gunnar to be healed and continued trick-or-treating for a while, visiting the nearby house.

• Eivor: A child.
• Anglo-Saxon Child 2: I have—I have—Cakes. Mummy made. Here!

Eivor received two more cakes. With all houses on the west side of the river visited, Eivor crossed the bridge to the neighborhood on the other side and knocked on the nearest door.

• Eivor: Good evening.
• Anglo-Saxon Woman 2: It's dead of night. You lie unaware. A terrible sight comes up from her lair.

The Mari Lwyd has come to scareA horse's skull with terrible hair

• Eivor: A wicked sprite has come to scare— (spooky noises)
• Anglo-Saxon Woman 2: Alright, alright, you did cause a fright. Take a sweet reward.

Eivor received one cake.

• Eivor: A horse's skull with terrible hair.
• Anglo-Saxon Woman 2: Not very scary, is it? Take half a nettle-cake and get gone.

Eivor received two cakes.

She circled around to another house.

• Eivor: O, hello, little one.
• Anglo-Saxon Child 2: The croaking toad hopped down the road, followed by an owl...

Just beyond their fetid lake, the ghosts are on the prowl.Through fox's dens and murky fens, the frightful spirits howl.

• Eivor: Just beyond their fetid lake, the ghosts are on the prowl.
• Anglo-Saxon Child 2: That was a little weird, but I like it.

Eivor received a cake.

• Eivor: Through foxes' dens and murky fens, the frightful spirits howl.

The boy gave Eivor two cakes and shut the door without a word.

She knocked on one last house.

• Eivor: I've come to trade barbs for cake and ale!
• Anglo-Saxon Woman 3: It's past the little 'un's bed times, and I want to retire. Take your cake and go.

Eivor received two cakes.

With her trick-or-treating completed, Eivor went to the festival to search for Tewdwr and found him leaning against a beer barrel.

• Eivor: With bitter ale and sweet friends. That is a fine way to end a day.

Another man dressed in a monk's cloak stood nearby, and Eivor spoke to him first.

Eivor finds Tewdwr and Gwilim at the festival

• Eivor: I though the Church condemned this celebration?
• Gwilim: I ain't the church! Name's Gwilim, and I turned to God just three years back.

(If "What were you before?" was chosen)

• Eivor: You look like a man with a past. What were you before you took up the cloth?

Gwilim stumbled through his words.

• Gwilim: Me? A grain farmer. Had to take up the sword a few times to protect me crops.

(If "Why become a monk?" was chosen)

• Eivor: What brought you to God?
• Gwilim: Ye know ye need to change after the third night you wake up britchless in pig shite. With no idea how you got there.

(If "What do you think of Glowecestre?" was chosen)

• Eivor: Do you like Glowecestre?
• Gwilim: Aye, 'tis a beauteous place. Shame they're losing their ealdorman.

(Leave – "Goodbye, Gwilim.")

• Eivor: Enjoy the festival, Gwilim.
• Gwilim: Aye, perhaps a drink later.

Nearby, she spied Cynon and spoke with him.

• Eivor: Alone with your thoughts at last?
• Cynon: Eivor! Perhaps. Every moment is sweeter when you are the Harvest King. All this bounty... soon I will join it. But, eat, drink! Enjoy all that Glowecestre's lush woods offer.

Eivor spoke with Tewdwr.

• Tewdwr: Eivor! There you are.
• Eivor: Tewdwr.
• Tewdwr: You're well met. Gwilim here has challenged my honor in a contest of drinks.
• Gwilim: Join us. The lad will be easy pickings.

Thank the gods, yes.I'll stay longer.

• Eivor: Give me a cup!
• Tewdwr: Some ale, then!
• Gwilim: One fer me as well!

Spoke with Gwilim earlierDid not speak with Gwilim earlier

• Eivor: Gwilim, the warrior-monk. Now we can match wills with a flagon in hand.
• Gwilim: Ha! Ale is known to blunt even the sharpest of blades, Eivor.

• Eivor: For a shaveling for the Christ Lord, you have a lot of scars, Gwilim.
• Gwilim: Not every tonsured man is a wet-eared abbey babe. I came to God after I had scarred my soul with sin.

• Eivor: To holy hearths and humid eyes. It is the best drunkenness returns a man to royal reason! Skal!

• Eivor: Perhaps later, Tewdwr. I will find you again and defend my honor in ale.

Eivor left to wrap up any outstanding business, then returned to Tewdwr.

• Tewdwr: Ready for that drink, Eivor? But fair warning, my reputation will not suffer another blow.

(returns to choices)

Eivor and Tewdwr having a drinking contest

Tewdwr and Eivor began a drinking contest, while Gwilim and Cynon watched.

• Cynon: Keep on! The honor of Glowecestre is at stake. I will not leave these lands to one who laps at ale like a cat!

Tewdwr began to complain of the taste.

• Tewdwr: That's foul!
• Gwilim: Come, lad! The leader of Glowecestre should hold more mead than that!
• Cynon: I have seen babes in arms drink a hogshead of ale faster. Drink, man, drink.
• Eivor: You're sweating!
• Gwilim: Come on lad, show the Dane yer mettle.
• Eivor: Too strong for you?

Eivor wonEivor lost

Eivor won the challenge.

• Eivor: Not as (hic) slow as you look.

Eivor lost the challenge.

Cynon led Gwilim, Eivor, and Tewdwr to a nearby corner.

Eivor, Cynon, Tewdwr, and Gwilim toasted and drank for both Cynon and Tewdwr

• Cynon: Good effort, Tewdwr. This merriment feeds my soul. Here, another drink on me. For allies new and old.
• Eivor: Of all the ealdorman I've met, you are the most unburdened. What is your secret?
• Cynon: None. It is well-known. The burdens I carry will soon leave this world with me. So drink, to my life and death!
• Eivor: Death?
• Cynon: I am to be sacrificed in the wicker man as King of the Harvest! Like Ealdorman Simkin before me, and all before him.
• Tewdwr: Horrible barbaric practice. A burnt offering after poor crops. They hope well-fed gods will smile upon them.

That's nobleWhat a wasteThen cheers

• Eivor: A true father sacrifices himself for his people, give his all, his blood and flesh. A great honor, but a sad fate.
• Tewdwr: When you speak these words, it reminds me of the Christ.
• Cynon: Aye, lad. Now you can see how a man like myself sees the value in both.

• Eivor: Your people are loyal to you, Cynon. Seems a waste to throw your life away.
• Cynon: Their loyalty would falter if I shirked my duties. I will die glorious in flame, not live to further choke my homeland.

• Eivor: A toast then, to Ealdorman Cynon! Joyous and generous! Let each man show him loyalty until he suffers death.
• Cynon: My friends, you are kind to me. I'd like to toast my successor, Tewdwr! May he wear the horns, head high.

All present drank in honor of Cynon's toast. Time passed and Eivor and Tewdwr sat across each other and continued to drink.

Eivor and Tewdwr drink together as Tewdwr apologizes

• Eivor: Weak! What is this? Water? I feel like Thor chugging oceans, no effect to my head or step.
• Tewdwr: Haha! You heard the woman, give her something stronger!

Gwilim walked into the conversation, handing them two full mugs.

• Gwilim: This'll work faster than any tonic.
• Eivor: Good! Give me visions of all creatures that roam these hills, and a sore head tomorrow to pay for it!

Eivor and Tewdwr drank the ale from Gwilim.

• Tewdwr: Ugh, that tastes awful. It feels good, though.

Gwilim sat down besides Tewdwr.

• Tewdwr: Eivor, speak true... my feelings be damned. I have been an arse, do not deny it. And I for that... I'm sorry.
• Eivor: A colossal horse's arse, yes!
• Tewdwr: Soft words from a heartless heathen!
• Eivor: Only fiercer than fire among ill friends. I can be very as nice as a spring gale.

Tewdwr giggled.

• Tewdwr: And how nice is that?

❤ Very, very niceYou're not suited for thisI'll be your friend

• Eivor: Very, very nice.
• Tewdwr: I think I might like you even better when you're mean.

• Eivor: Nice enough to tell you that you are wrong for the ealdorman's seat.
• Tewdwr: Maybe you are correct. I wanted to be a cardinal, but the men who raised me said I'd serve God better as an ealdorman.
• Eivor: You are your own man. Not theirs. The only ones you should be serving are your people.

Eivor proposed they make an oath.

• Eivor: Tewdwr, with Gunnar and Brigid's marriage, our clans will unite. But we could join by oath as well.

Tewdwr and Gwilim giving a toast to Eivor

• Tewdwr: O! Yes. My first ally as ealdorman. I accept! We shall make an oath! How do we start?
• Eivor: Ja! The greatest... greatest oath and the greatest union. To the oath!
• Tewdwr: The treaty! The greatest!

All three drank, though Gwilim only took a quick swig and left them. Shortly afterwards, Eivor and Tewdwr left their table in their drunken states.

• Tewdwr: Shhh! People are sleeping! More ale to seal our friendship! This way, this way, look out for... the Black Sow.
• Eivor: Sow? Like pig?
• Tewdwr: Flaming pig. Chases you home at night. Silly words to scare silly children.
• Eivor: Pfff... you see magic as the stuff of children's dreams?
• Twedwr: Perhaps I judge too much... truths I half-believe. Foolishness sometimes take my tongue. I have to piss.

Eivor stumbled and laughed.

• Eivor: A great blackness chases stars across the sky in great whorls of color and light. Whooosh!
• Tewdwr: Here we are. Right inside here. I feel warm. Do you feel warm?
• Eivor: Always warm here. It's a wonder you don't walk around naked.
• Tewdwr: Yes... erm... well, come on in.

Tewdwr and Eivor arrived but soon they became separated.

• Eivor: Tewdwr? Tewdwr!

Eivor went looking for Tewdwr.

• Eivor: Tewdwr! Where are you?

Eivor laughed as Tewdwr passed out in his drunken state

Eivor found Tewdwr and drank again with him. Soon, both of them chased chickens around until the roles reversed with the hens chasing them. Tewdwr tried to walk up the stairs but passed out drunk as Eivor laughed. Eivor went inside his house and passed out drunk herself. The next morning came and Eivor woke up.

• Eivor: Hel's breath. What happened last night?

Eivor rose from the bed, only to notice her hands were covered in blood.

• Eivor: And the effects of that draught still cling.

Eivor looked down and saw a dead soldier on the floor.

• Eivor: Tewdwr? Are you here?

Outcome

From escorting and protecting Tewdwr to trick-or-treating with Gunnar, Eivor drank and gained an alliance with Tewdwr during the Samhain festival. However, Eivor woke up the next morning in the middle of a haze and a bloody crime scene.

Behind the scenes

Although the love letter to Gunnar from Brigid acts as an environmental context clue for the eventual beginnings of this arc, it is visible in Gunnar's home as early as Eivor reporting on East Anglia.

This memory features a trick-or-treating segment on the titular first night of Samhain, wherein Eivor dons a costume and knocks on houses throughout Gloucester. Most of the residents test Eivor with rhymes in which the player has two options, one of which awards a single "cake" and the other rewarding two. The difference in number implies that one option is a more "ideal" answer than the other.

Curiously, the "cakes" in question are actually wedges of moldy cheese—which can be sold for a pittance of silver like any trade good—and the residents' reactions to the player's "ideal" answers do not always match their reward. In one case, a woman dissatisfied with an answer awards Eivor two "cakes" despite telling her she would only give her "half a nettle-cake," whereas if the player impresses her, she only gives Eivor one. In another case, a boy gives Eivor only one "cake" while telling her he "likes" her answer, but he simply shuts the door on her if she gives the better answer for two "cakes." Apart from this, there are a few houses which hand out two "cakes" freely.

The trick-or-treat houses may be knocked on in any order. The player only needs to visit three houses to progress in the memory, but the player may trick-or-treat at the remaining houses at their leisure even after the memory has been completed. For the purposes of this page, an order was chosen based on the most likely route a player would take according to the positions of the houses, while also assuming the player would visit all houses before meeting Tewdwr at the festival.

There are a total of eight houses than can be trick-or-treated - five on the west side of the river and three on the east side. As soon as Eivor completes all of them, two residents on the east side will leave their houses and head to random spots. The player can witness it if the final house attended will be one of two houses with adult women on the east side.

Winning or losing the drinking contest with Tewdwr has no effect on the dialogue that follows, and winning reaps no reward like the other drinking activities out in the world. It is purely for the player's own bragging rights, and it is possible to quit the contest simply to advance the story.

Players may flirt with Tewdwr at the festival, but choosing this option does not appear to change any of the scenes that follow or even explicitly confirm that Eivor and Tewdwr consummated a romance. It is, however, a variable that affects Tewdwr's dialogue in Holy Day, which itself merely implies that Tewdwr "learned a lot" from her during their time together in this story arc.

Gallery

• 
  Eivor arriving in Glowecestre
• 
  Eivor and Gunnar watched as Cynon greeted the residents
• 
  A pack of wild boars approaching Eivor and Tewdwr
• 
  Modron tasking Gwenydd to bring preperation items for Gunnar's wound
• 
  Eivor and Tewdwr continue drinking
• 
  Eivor waking up on a bed