The Missing Queen
The Missing Queen 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[edit | edit source]
Eivor travelled to Evreux to search for Queen Richardis.
Dialogue[edit | edit source]
Eivor arrived in Evreux and heard church bells ring. Eivor heard the villagers speak among themselves.
- French Woman 1: Husband! What are you doing? We're going to miss Little Mother if you don't hurry yourself!
- Eivor: They're gathering for something.
- French Woman 2: Is that the time? The service with Little Mother is about to begin. I have to hurry!
Eivor went further into the village and saw a man giving a speech.
- French Man 1: We are all sinners. Not one of us is pure. We all will answer to God, and so we all must seek deliverance! By the grace of God, Little Mother is here to aid us. She is almost ready to begin! Make your way to the church!
- Eivor: They're gathering somewhere. They might know something about the queen.
Eivor headed to the Church of Saint Taurinus to investigate. As she entered the church, Eivor was guided by a nun inside.
- French Woman 3: Find a seat where you can. Little Mother will soon begin.
Eivor looked around the church and saw a ladder. Having climbed it, Eivor found a note from "Little Mother."
Note from Little Mother
- Deacon,
Just to the south of Evreux, along a path past that cursed tavern, you will find a small home. It has been left empty for some time, my work having constrained me here in Aquila, and will be in need of cleaning. Pay particular attention to the cellar, which is prone to flooding.
Do not disturb the acolyte there. He is being prepared for deliverance and requires perfect solitude in which to commune with God.
- Little Mother
- Eivor: I should find a seat.
Eivor went to the benches and blended in by taking a seat. Time passed as two nuns walked towards the altar. Soon, a voice orated.
- Euphrasia: The dark waters covered me. Then his holy light came and O! The glory of his brightness.
Euphrasia walked to the altar.
- Euphrasia: You will recall the miracle of Saint Taurinus, how he raised a burned girl back to life. As a child, I was too burned and near to death. At his altar, the saint appeared, touched me, and I was healed. Time could not corrupt the saint's holy body. He touched me so that now... I might touch you.
- Eivor: Loki himself could not tell a better story.
Eivor was shushed by the woman beside her.
- Euphrasia: God is light. But what have you done in his light? All are turned to their own way, and gone astray into darkness. The devil has hold of your thoughts, your hearts, and your very bodies! No one is safe, whether you are pauper, king, ... or queen.
Eivor took careful note of her last words and the way she spoke them.
- Euphrasia: Choose this day whom you will serve, for judgment is coming. And with it comes either deliverance, or damnation!
The nuns and Little Mother grouped together.
- Euphrasia: Let us pray.
As the rest prayed, Euphrasia opened her eyes and stepped away. The woman beside Eivor cast a scolding glance for not praying, but she stood and went to find the "Little Mother." However, in that moment of broken line-of-sight, Euphrasia had simply vanished.
- Eivor: Gone! This Little Mother knows something about the queen. I need to find her.
Eivor walked closer to the altar and heard a woman whimpering.
- French Woman 4: Have you seen my husband? He should have been back from the ritual by now, shouldn't he?
At the altar, Eivor stopped to observe the gilded model of the church and the tapestry depicting the story of Saint Taurinus.
- Eivor: The saint defeats three Jotun by holding a cross before them. Lucky for him, Fenrir was not among them.
In the vestibule, Eivor overhead a woman discussing deliverance for her child with a priest.
- French Woman 5: My child is always daydreaming. Surely it's not natural. Could it be the devil? Would deliverance help?
- French Man 2: It very well might. It can be wise to deal with problems early. We must train up children in the way they should go.
- French Woman 5: We are poor, and cannot afford to pay anything.
- French Man 2: Remember the widow's mite. There is always something we can give, no matter how little.
On the nearby table, Eivor read a pamphlet proselytizing deliverance.
Deliverance Pamphlet
- The prophet has said: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way."
O sinner! Consider the fearful danger you are in! The devil has taken charge of your soul, and Heaven cries out for justice against your wickedness. It is only God's mercy and long-suffering that keeps you from the infernal flames.
Yet God Himself has made a way for you. Repent of your rebellion. Come to His altar, cast yourself upon his goodness, and entreat him for deliverance while it may yet be found!
- Eivor: These writings encourage people to seek freedom from the devil through "deliverance."
As Eivor finished reading the pamphlet, the whimpering woman from earlier moved towards the church exit to speak with the nun who ushered people to their seats.
- French Woman 4: Why is it taking so long? Does deliverance always take this long? It's been days.
- French Woman 3: Have faith. Your husband is with Little Mother who works only God's will.
Eivor recognized that the woman might have useful information.
- Eivor: I should talk to that woman.
Eivor spoke with the woman.
- Eivor: You are troubled.
- French Woman 4: It's my husband. He went for deliverance and hasn't come back. It's been days. O, it's all my fault!
- Eivor: Tell me about deliverance.
- French Woman 4: My husband was going to leave me, but he loves me! The devil got into him somehow. We sent him to Aquila for a deliverance ritual. Little Mother said it would rid him of the devil.
- Eivor: The ritual happens at Aquila?
- French Woman 4: Yes, Little Mother has a sanctum. O, my poor husband. Do you think he's okay?
- Eivor: I think you should prepare for the worst, and pray to your God for the best.
- French Woman 4: O! Yes, I must pray. I must pray...
Eivor left the woman, thinking on what she learned.
- Eivor: I should go to Aquila, where rituals are being done.
Outcome[edit | edit source]
Eivor travelled to Evreux and learned that the priestess, Euphrasia, otherwise known as Little Mother amongst the populace, had knowledge of the Queen's whereabouts.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
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The inner church hall -
Eivor pretending to "pray", following the rest in the church
