Eivor entered the villa, passing a dead cow in the foyer and saw the mayhem inside the main hall. Bodies were torn apart and mutilated.
Eivor:This is madness.
Eivor was startled by screaming from far beyond the locked doors ahead.
Royal servants butchered within the Villa of Amiens
Eivor:What have you done, Charles? He slaughters his own servants. Madness.
Eivor checked the doorway to the Sanctum.
Eivor:Two keyholes. I should look around.
Throughout the manor, Eivor heard Charles talk to the demon within himself in the Sanctum while flagellating himself.
Charles:I always knew it. She was pure. I am the monster.
Charles (demon):When they schemed and lied. When they cheated and attacked. Who was there for you? It was me.
Charles:I know, demon. I see clearly now. I should never have doubted you.
Charles (demon):And now we smash the little ones. All the little ones.
Charles:Against the stones... against the stones... I know...
Eivor checked within the villa and found a scared woman within a kitchen.
Eivor probes Villa of Amiens' pantry
French Woman 1:Save me, O mother of mine! Spare my life, please!
Eivor soon found one of the keys, the Key of Devils, on top of a table near a dead maid.
Eivor:A key. Could work on the door in the main hall.
Within the same room, Eivor found a note.
Beware of Fire
Dear Staff,
Our beloved king grows ever more afraid of fire. As a result, please take the following precautions: no open flames such as candles or torches must be brought too close to the royal person.
Second, please ensure basins and barrels of water are kept well-watered and close at hand for immediate firefighting duties as appropriate.
We appreciate your cooperation during this difficult time.
– The Butler
Eivor went to the Sanctum door with the key she collected.
Eivor:I need a second key.
Eivor searched around the area and found a note pinned to the wall, near the entrance of a passage towards the armory.
Mural Notice
Executioner,
I order forthwith the immediate execution of the servants who recently served Queen Richardis. Their role in the gross treason of my beloved son and heir should be obvious to all.
– In his Majesty's Hand King Charles
Eivor crouched into the armory and eavesdropped on the two surviving soldiers.
French Soldier 1:I-it is madness! The servants did nothing wrong but serve the king faithfully! He is truly—
French Soldier 2:Do not say it! We just do what he asks or we will end up like... if we don't kill them, he'll kill us.
French Soldier 1:Merde. This is a nightmare.
Eivor crossed over to the dining room, where she found another note.
Mural Notice
Dear Staff,
It has come to my attention that members of staff are spreading rumors about secret confrontations, levers, gates, and death-traps in our sovereign's quarters.
This is patent nonsense and you are hereby admonished to continue your daily duties without giving in to idle speculation and groundless gossip.
Further violation shall answer to the lash.
– The Butler
Having canvassed the entire first floor, Eivor decided to head upstairs.
Eivor:Maybe I should search the upper level.
Eivor returned to the main hall and climbed the stairs, finding a room with a terrified man who had set up a grease trap.
French Man 1:I hear you coming, my king. Please, stay back! I will burn you! I know your fear! I have fire!
Eivor:I am not him. I am not the king.
The man did not listen and dropped a torch in his fear, igniting the grease and immolating himself.
After the man died and the flames subsided, Eivor noticed a door to the right of the hall. She left to check the rest of the upper floor and found another note written by the butler.
Haystack Hazard
Staff,
Imagine my displeasure on discovering a stack of untidy hay bales piled up at the entrance of Prince Bernard's room!
Not only is this hay unsightly, it presents a deadly fire hazard.
Also inform the carpenter to repair the supports around the door. They could collapse at any moment.
Do try and remember, people, that this is a royal lodging. It is not a barn.
– The Butler
Moving a structure out of her way and striking the supports with her weapon, Eivor made a path into the room prepared for Bernard and found a key to the altar under some pots. Eivor also found a diary of Bernard's within the room.
Bernard's Diary
I do not like it here, but it is better than staying with Father. He has changed. He is quiet sometimes and seems normal, but then he is angry again and speaks with that strange voice.
Everything is different. I don't want to be like Father anymore. I don't want to be king at all! I know I am not supposed to, but all I want to do is fight like Eivor does.
Using the altar key, Eivor entered the chapel, which was filled with more bodies.
Eivor looked further and found the Key of Angels on top of a table with candles and a bloodied book.
Eivor:Another key. I should try these on the main hall door.
Before leaving the chapel, Eivor found a page of Richardis' diary on top of a chair.
Richardis' Diary
All this is not entirely Charles' fault. The devil has tormented him since he was a child. Who could bear such a thing and remain normal?
Yet he has always responded to me, and to God. When we pray together the darkness recedes, and he becomes gentle and kind again. Just as it is written, "Resist the devil and he will flee."
If I can only get him alone, without his guards and his advisors, I know I can get through to him. I must try, with God's help. It is my duty as his wife, after all.
Eivor left the room and crossed the hall into the bedroom of the king and queen.
Eivor:This kingdom has riches beyond my wildest mushroom cap dreams. The bedroom of the king and queen... like it has never been touched.
Eivor also found a page of Charles' diary in the bedroom.
Charles' Diary
Who can I trust? None of the bishops, that is certain. Engelwin was happily removed by that meddling Northerner, but I already knew he was traitorous. Is Gozlin any better now I've lost Odo's support? Damn Odo's self-righteous honor. I am the king!
The Bellatores cannot be underestimated. It was they who killed His Holiness Pope Adrian on the way to Worms, I'm sure of it. He was in perfect health. Had he made it to the Diet we would have removed their supplicant bishops and named Bernard heir. Now we are again fighting claims from every second cousin and grey-bearded uncle.
If the Bellatores can murder a Pope, Bernard is not safe from them. He must be protected until the situation has calmed, and I can no longer trust Richardis to do so. Perhaps I should send him to Naudingen?
My headaches have returned. The voice too.
Eivor checked the bureau near the bed and found a ring.
Eivor:Could be Charles' wedding ring. Why is he not wearing it?
Eivor at the main door
Having completed her investigation of the villa and obtaining the two keys she needed, Eivor returned to the door in the main hall.
Eivor:I should try these keys on the main hall door.
Eivor inserted the keys and released the locks.
Eivor:This better work.
Eivor opened the doors and found a passage leading underground. Eivor continued down the passage to Charles' Sanctum, where he stood covered in blood and talking to his "demons" while looking up at a large enshrined mural of Richardis.
Charles 'talking' to his demons in his sanctum
Charles:She's the angel. The saint. The one who shimmers with the Lord's light. And so, they were right about me. All of them were right.
Charles (demon):I know.
Charles:We are what they say. It has always been us. Even as they seared me, I feigned to be purged of all demons. But I knew. No amount of burning would rid me of you. And burn me they did. Below the scarred flesh, you were still there. You were still here. You have always been here. (crying) I embrace you, demon.
Charles (demon):Louder.
Charles:We are the demon! We are—
Charles took notice of Eivor.
Charles:I am not the only demon who lurks in these chambers.
Charles confronted by Eivor
Charles sealed the gate to his shrine, then picked up his mace and faced towards Eivor.
Charles: (screams)
Charles and Eivor began to fight.
Charles:No one is allowed in here! Least of all a Northern heathen!
Eivor attacked but noticed her attacks glanced off his chainmail and stature with little effect.
Eivor:He seems to resist my attacks.
She noticed that he avoids the fire.
Eivor:He fears the fire for a reason.
Shooting arrows through the pyres to catch the flames, or wielding her own fiery abilities, Eivor injured Charles with the power of fire. When she exhausted him, he collapsed to his knees and she used the opportunity to push him towards the pyres.
Eivor:Now is my chance.
If Eivor missed, Charles recovered, but with less stamina than usual, and she tried again.
Eivor:Stunned him. But too far from the braziers. I need him closer to the fire.
Charles:It burns! Not the fire!
Charles' strength sapped away in the flames while Eivor struck at him some more in his vulnerability. The brazier was destroyed under his weight.
Charles:You killed the bishop Gozlin, you diable!
Eivor:I killed him before. Maybe he will rise from the dead again.
Eivor kept injuring Charles with the fires, even as he began attempting to snuff them with stones, dirt, and jars of water. She relit any pyres that went out and repeated her strategy to stun Charles and burn him again.
Charles:No! Charred again!
Eivor:Quit your wailing and fight me.
Eivor continued battling Charles, but to little effect.
Charles:Fool! I am not mortal, but you are. Die! I will crush you.
Eivor noticed the locked shrine.
Eivor:I could lock him in this room.
Eivor unlocked the shrine's gates.
Charles:You stay out of there!
Eivor:Or what, Charles?
Eivor weakened Charles even more.
Eivor:This is where it ends, Charles.
Charles: (screams)
Eivor entered the shrine itself, causing Charles to panic.
Charles:Get away from her!
Eivor:I could trap him in here to spare his life.
Eivor stunned Charles and weakened him severely.
If Eivor attempted to trap Charles but he was not weakened enough, he recovered before the portcullis could seal and slipped back into the sanctum.
Charles:Ha! I am too fast for such tricks. Nice try, heathen.
Eivor:I need to weaken him further.
With her options mapped out, Eivor decided on her course of action.
Eivor:Behind bars or kill you. I have a lot to think about.
Charles:It will be you that I crush against the stones.
Eivor battled Charles with the strategy she devised towards the outcome she desired.
If Eivor did not hand over Bernard, Charles cursed her.
Charles:All you had to do was give me my son. You have doomed your people. I will never forget it.
Charles caged by Eivor
Eivor weakened Charles just enough that she was able to stun him inside his shrine and drop the portcullis before he could recover and escape, caging him inside.
Eivor:Not before you swear that you and your troops will never come to England.
Charles:You had every chance to secure a treaty between our peoples. All you had to do was deliver me my son.
Eivor:This is larger than the fate of one boy!
Charles scoffed bitterly.
Charles:Maybe for you.
Charles:You did deliver my son... but how can I make such an arrangement when as we speak Sigfred is preparing his next raid?
Eivor:Sigfred is gone. He has no more armies and no power to work against you.
Charles:Fine. On my honor and the life of Bernard, you have your treaty. My armies will not march on England. Not while I still breathe.
Eivor:Good. Soon I will sail back to Ravensthorpe. But if a week or a month or a year goes by and I see one Frankish shield−
Charles:Do not worry, diable. You will not.
Queen Richardis arriving
Richardis walked into the sanctum, shocked at seeing the bloodied state of her husband and the large mural dedicated to her. Charles cast away his mace and tried to cover it up.
Charles:No, look away my Queen.
Richardis:Worry not, husband. I am here for you.
Charles fell to his knees and cried as Richardis released the portcullis.
Charles: (weeps)
Eivor watched as Richardis comforted Charles.
Richardis comforts a tearful Charles
While saddened at Charles' wounds, Richardis was grateful to Eivor for keeping her promise to spare him.
Richardis:Leave us. All will be as I promised.
Eivor:And if not, I will come back for him.
Richardis:I know.
While Richardis was grateful Eivor changed her mind, she was disappointed in Eivor for the injuries she inflicted.
Richardis:You have done enough here. Just go.
Eivor:Will you take him east, as you said?
Richardis:Leave us, Eivor.
She looked down at the sobbing Charles.
Richardis:You are alright. Do not worry. I will protect you. God is with us.
Eivor left Richardis with Charles.
Eivor put Charles in the fire one last time. Charles, with his last steps, died within his shrine from exhaustive amounts of burns. Richardis ran in and stared at the mural. Quickly, Richardis realized her dead husband on the ground and ran to him, in tears.
Richardis cries over her dead king and husband
Richardis:No! O Charles! What have they done to you? What have I done to you? It did not have to be this way.
Eivor:His death is payment for the many he has killed. And a mercy for those he has yet to.
Richardis:Speak not of mercy while his blood is still warm. What have you done was driven by selfishness and anger. Not mercy.
Richardis embraced her dead king.
Eivor:He left me no choice.
Richardis:No, you made a choice. You are not who I thought you were, Eivor. You are not an agent of the Lord. You are a murderer.
Eivor:Charles was a threat to my clan. He was mad beyond reason.
Richardis:And should your clan be threat to one of your neighbors, I hope God grants them the wisdom you lack. Now leave us.
Eivor left Richardis, who sobbed aloud over Charles' corpse.
Upon completing this memory, the front gate of the Villa of Amiens will be opened, but all soldiers will have respawned and the area remains Restricted. If the gate key was used, the gate will remain open, but there is little in the way of treasure remaining and little reason to linger at the villa. The villa interior will not be accessible.
