Nolwenn:Word is that they are close and riding hard.
Eivor:All the more reason I must hurry and end this thing. I need a hidden way into Odo's palace.
Nolwenn:I know a way but there is a band of Frankish warriors milling about...
Eivor:Show me. Upon my honor, I give you my word that Toka and I ... we do not want this.
Nolwenn:Fine. I will lead the way.
Nolwenn led Eivor to the tunnels, but grew cautious of the soldiers nearby.
Nolwenn:Those guards are too close to the tunnel!
Eivor:I will chase them off.
French Soldier 1:We will die if we don't get into Odo's palais somehow.
French Soldier 2:There is a tunnel around here. Keep searching, men.
Eivor took care of the soldiers as Nolwenn continued to lead the way. They both went into the tunnel.
Nolwenn:Hurry now, Eivor. Down into the dark we go.
Both Eivor and Nolwenn travelled through the tunnels as Eivor noticed Nolwenn's supplies.
Eivor:A fine haul of Norse war gear and Frankish riches. Looks like Nolwenn smuggled for both sides.
Eivor spoke with Nolwenn again.
Nolwenn:That tunnels takes you into the palais.
Eivor:Thank you, Nolwenn. And you?
Nolwenn:I will save what I can of my trade goods and leave through other tunnels. Godspeed, Eivor.
Eivor:A safe journey for you, too.
Eivor traveled through the tunnels and bypassed the rats and the guards.
Eivor looked around and saw the gates of the Palais de la Cité locked with two Norse warriors nearby.
Norse Man 1:Those are the largest gates I've ever seen. We will never batter them down.
Norse Warrior 1:Sigfred is moving his catapults up. It will take time, but these walls will fall.
Looking above, Eivor noticed a zipline towards the palais. Eivor traced back to a guarded tower and noticed a locked door. Probing around, Eivor saw a guard holding the key and stole it from the guard.
Eivor:The guard's key. It must unlock something nearby.
Opening the door, Eivor climbed to the top of the tower and found the zipline again.
Eivor:This will take me right over the palace walls. Perfect.
Eivor arrived at the Palais de la Cité.
Eivor:Now to sneak inside Odo's palace.
Eivor looked and read a note outside the palace.
Troublesome Maid
Captain,
A madwoman haunts the tunnels beneath the Palais, interfering with our patrols. We feel she's hiding something down there.
This woman is one of the Palais maids. Will you send someone to find more?
The maid can be found in the eastern gardens, taking her breaks.
- Ebert
Eivor followed the clue to a servant at the east gardens. Eivor overheard a conversation between a servant and a man.
French Man 1:You're sneaking into the palais for a tryst? How can you think upon animal lusts, today of all days?
French Woman 1:We may die today. Should I spend my last moments scrubbing floors or making love?
French Man 1:May God have mercy on your soul, Albrada, sneaking through the back door like that.
The woman left.
Eivor:Following that lovestruck maid should lead me into the palace.
The woman may have caught sight of Eivor.
French Woman 1:Who are you and what are you doing? Have you escaped from your cell? Whatever you are doing, stop. Mon cher is coming and ... and he'll lock you up!
Eivor followed the woman down the tunnel.
Eivor:These tunnels should lead right under the palace.
Looking around, Eivor moved an obstruction out of a pathway. On the floor, Eivor noticed another note.
Keeper of My Heart
My darling jailor,
To the keeper of my heart, our moments together have unlocked my captive desires.
I know you and your guards must guard the cells and protect the Palais, but I have such need to see you again. Please, let us have one more tryst together before the heathens burn us all.
Meet me at our love nest.
Yours in flame,
- Albrada
Looking around, Eivor opened a door and went down its path. Eivor saw and read a note on a table.
Jailor's Orders
Good sir,
Odo commands you to get upstairs and board up the windows. I have already locked the underground tunnels to the other wing.
Eivor:The jailer must have taken the key with him after reading that note.
Looking around, Eivor found another way inside the palace.
Eivor found an open window of the palace, while traveling above. Eivor entered through the window and thus inside the palace.
Eivor entered inside the palace itself.
Eivor:Now that I'm inside the palace, I need to find someone to point me towards Odo.
Eivor questioning the two men about Odo's whereabouts
Eivor talked with two men having a conversation.
Eivor:Pardon me, good sirs. Where may I find Count Odo?
French Man 2:Count Odo? Who cares about Count Odo? Where is our good friend, Walter du Sens?
Eivor:Why? Who is Walter du Sens, a great warrior?
French Man 2:Walter, a warrior? No, he is Count Odo's family priest. He's begging Odo to give us more wine. We plan to be passed out drunk by the time the Northmen bust into here.
Eivor left the two men.
Eivor:Odo's priest might lead me to Odo, but I need to sneak past these guards to the servants' wing.
Eivor looked around and overheard a soldier guarding in the lower corridors.
French Soldier 3:Listen, I am the chief jailer, so if I say hurry up and board those walls, you hurry up and board those walls.
Eivor saw and stole the jailer's key. Going back underground, Eivor unlocked a door and followed the path, only to find herself near three guards. Going pass the guards, Eivor continued on her path.
Eivor bypassed the guards stealthily or by killing them.
Eivor:Even more guards in the hallway, I must tread with care.
Eivor also found a note on a table in the hallway.
Walter's Behavior
Henriette,
Count Odo's priest Walter has drunk himself into yet another stupor. It is disgraceful and frightening.
He's heading to the kitchen in search of more wine. Please, intercept him and help him restore his dignity before God.
- Juliette
House Chamberlain
Eivor continued and found a note by Count Odo.
Expression of Gratitude
Faithful Henriette,
Thank you for this delicious meal and more importantly, thank you for your years of faithful service. No doubt you have earned a heavenly reward.
Alas, battle calls even as my dear wife lies unattended for the nonce.
Please ensure Walter du Sens comforts her in these dark hours, and if need be, deliver the last rites.
- Count Odo
Eivor:Odo's bedroom. If his wife is inside, she might know where he is.
Eivor bypassed the guards and found a note on the first floor, near the main entrance.
Magpie Menace
Monsieur Butler,
I am shaking with rage. Those infernal magpie are defecating upon our guests!
Clamber up in the rafters and burn out their nests. The branches and twigs are a dead giveaway.
Why is heaven's name did we put living blackbirds in the king's pie?
-Henriette
Eivor found a way past the guards and into the servants' wing. Eivor made her way towards the kitchen area.
Henriette:O my lady, why the count will not attend to you, I will never know. The mother of his children. To think it. So stubborn, that Odo. And that pathetic Walter du Sens! Too drunk to give last rites. A travesty, that one is.
Eivor found another note in the kitchen.
Fine Meal
Staff,
Dark days are upon us, but with Heaven's help we will shine through.
Let us all do our part in the coming battle, and if that means baking the finest meal Lord Odo and Lady Theodrate have ever eaten, then that is what we shall do.
Let our goodly labor and craft show our appreciation for their just reign and godly ways.
-Henriette
Eivor speaking to the healer Henriette
Eivor later talked with Henriette.
Eivor:Pardon me, but is that food for Count Odo?
Henriette:No, this is for Lady Theodrate, his wife. She lies at death's door. And who are you in such garb?
Eivor:A healer, from Frisia. What happened to the lady?
Henriette:While helping wounded soldiers off the walls, she took an arrow in the belly. Persuade that worthless priest Walter to give her the last rites, if you can. He's just upstairs.
Eivor:I will see what I can do. Thank you.
Eivor left her and found another note in the kitchen.
Magnificent Feast
My Staff,
Thank you for the wonderful feast with the delightful surprise! None of us expected four-and-twenty blackbirds baked in a pie.
The look on Odo's face when the living birds flew out of the pie-crust was spectacular. Wasn't that a dainty dish to place before the Count?
I do hope the birds are chased out of the palace and do not soil the furniture.
My thanks again for a memorable meal.
- Theodrate
Eivor went upstairs and found the drunk priest rambling.
Walter Du Sens:To die a drunken priest, disgraced before God. Unfit even to say last rites for the countess. And Count Odo, he was disgusted with me. If I were only a man, not a drunken beast! He will not talk to me. Say he is keeping watch for King Charles. No time for wine-drunk priests.
Eivor also read another note near the priest.
An Unfinished Diary
I am sore amazed, and at loss to describe the things I have witnessed. I must write plainly as I can, so that those who come after this awful day will know that there is a God in Heaven still.
We watched from the city wall as the invaders set fire to the bridge. The very earth groaned as a dark pall covered the sky and hid the clouds. Brave Ebels took up his axe in the name of God, and stood alone against the horde. He fell, struck down by the cruel Northerner, and Paris fell with him.
The guards on the tower wept to see it. Young men and old groaned and cried out. Mothers tore and snatched at their hair, and pulling out their own locks. Some of the women, mad with grief, bared their breasts and struck with them with their fists. Other scratched at their cheeks, adding blood to their tears.
Suddenly above them all a single voice cried out "Have mercy, O Germain, on us your luckless children!" For a moment there was perfect stillness, as if Heaven itself paused to listen. Then all joined in a single lamentation. The ramparts resounded with the name of Germain. On each tower the warriors and the highborn who led them shouted. The whole city swelled with the echoes, and the people cried out in one accord: "O Germain, hear our cry; help us, your steadfast servants!"
Eivor speaking to the drunk priest Walter
Eivor talked with Walter du Sens.
Eivor:Pardon me, Father, where is Count Odo?
Walter du Sens:O-odo? His foolish pride will kill us all.
Eivor:Yes, but where is he?
Walter du Sens:Who are you again? I can tell you nothing without more wine. My memory has gone all hazy.
Eivor left the priest to find more wine. Near a maid downstairs, Eivor saw a bottle of wine and took it.
Eivor:A bottle of wine for that drunken priest. As if he needs another.
Eivor went back, talked with the priest, and gave him the bottle.
Eivor:Here is your wine. Now do you remember where is Count Odo?
Walter du Sens:Wine? Ah, sweet, precious wine? The water of life, the blood of Christ, the fiery of phlegm of the world?
Eivor:Red wine, nothing more. You may have it.
Walter du Sens:O, Heaven hears my prayer. Now I can die.
Eivor:Before you do, where is Count Odo?
Walter du Sens:Odo ... I do not know, but his wife lies wounded in their master bedroom. She may have answers. On the second story, along the main hall. Here, take the key, I locked the door.
Eivor:Thanks.
Eivor left Walter du Sens.
Eivor:I should head to Odo's bedroom.
Eivor headed to the Odo's bedroom and found the door locked.
Eivor:Odo's bedroom. If his wife is inside, she might know where he is.
Theodrate lying wounded in bed
Eivor entered the bedroom, only to find his wife completely bedridden. Theodrate looked up to see her visitor.
Theodrate:Is that you, Odo, my love? No, you are too tall. Are you the priest? The light has grown dim, I see nothing but shapes. Father, will you hear my confession?
Eivor:I am not the priest, my Lady-ness. Just a friend seeking Count Odo, nothing more. Do you know where he is?
Eivor:Sorry, ahem, your great Lady-ness, but I must speak to Count Odo. Where is he?
Eivor:Ah, yes, I am the priest, Your Lady-ness.
Theodrate:Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. In my own pride, I went to battle without armor, thinking God would be my shield. And now I'm dying, and I will never see my sweet children again. Where are they, Father? Are they safe?
Eivor:They, ah, are safe with that good man, Walter du Sens. Do not fear.
Theodrate:Thank you. But Father, please. Will you carry a message from a dying woman to her beloved husband?
Eivor:I will, my dear. What I should I tell Count Odo?
Theodrate:That he is a good man. That he must live, for our children's sake. For Paris. For Francia. He must not ... die for a mad king.
Eivor:I promise I will do this, good lady. Where may I find your husband?
Theodrate:Odo remains locked in his sanctum.
Eivor:His sanctum?
Theodrate:Up the landing and across the hall. My husband still hopes Charles will ride forth and save the city.
Eivor:Locked in, you said?
Theodrate dies from her wounds
Theodrate:There is a key in the bureau ... take it ... help my husband, any way you can. Death creeps upon me now, slow and quiet, like a shadow at day's end. Eyelids so heavy ... Mother ... where are you?
Eivor:Farewell, good lady.
Theodrate died from her wounds as Eivor left her. Eivor left to see Count Odo, but overheard Walter talking with Odo.
Walter du Sens:My lord Odo. The day is lost. Give the order to strike the banners and lay down our arms. Please.
Eivor opened the locked door and entered the sanctum. Walter and Odo were still talking.
Walter du Sens:What good are our deaths, milord? Your lady-wife lays dying. Go to her. Your duty, as a husband—
Odo:My duty is here. When Charles and his army arrive, we will join the attack. We will crush the heathens between the hammer of Charles and the anvil of Paris.
Walter confronted by Eivor in his room
Odo took notice of Eivor walking in as Walter was startled by her presence.
Odo:Leave, Walter. Go comfort my wife as best as you can. God, it seems, has chosen a different fate for me.
Eivor:The priest is right. Lay down your arms. Save your city.
Odo:Among the Northmen, is not death in battle the best way to die? Come, share a glass of wine with a doomed man.
Odo handed a glass of wine to Eivor.
Eivor:I have heard many a warrior cry out for their mothers as their life's blood feeds the ground. I no longer can say if this is the best way to die.
Eivor:Your wife's wound is severe, an arrow to the gut. I saw her. I fear she won't last the night.
Odo:And I won't last the next quarter of an hour.
Eivor:She said to be strong for your children. Do not throw away your life for a mad king.
Eivor:Many have died today. Many more will die if we do not end this thing.
Odo questioning Eivor's actions
Odo walked away a bit towards a stained glass window.
Odo:Look at these works at stained glass. Delicate, priceless. Evreux's artisans spend years crafting each piece.
Eivor:Wondrous works, I grant you that.
Odo:We brought them here for safekeeping. In the hopes that your invading horde won't smash them to pieces.
Odo walked further away from Eivor.
Odo:You tell me to surrender my city, abandon my honor? You tell me to live out my days as Sigfred's prisoner? What would you do?
Eivor:I would fight. And someday, I will die with steel in my hand. This I know, it is my doom. But today is not that day.
Odo:And if I put you on your back, bleeding out and crying for your mother?
Eivor:As do you, good. I made it inside the palace. Odo would have surrendered the city, but...
Toka:But Charles showed up with his mighty flag of truce.
Eivor:Aye. And you?
Toka:After we split up, I took my thegns and secured the bastard prince. He's nearby, safe.
Eivor, Toka and Sigfred discussing the Charles' offer
Sigfred walked into the conversation.
Sigfred:Eivor! The gods do favor the brave. The lucky and the brave.
Eivor:So it is said. And Charles, he offers us a hoard of silver?
Sigfred:Indeed. And all we have to do is sail away.
Toka:He brings enough treasure to make every war-thegn here wealthy beyond dreams!
Eivor:For those who lived.
Sigfred:Gambling our lives for silver, that is our way. Now, do we take his offer?
Toka:By Loki's bloody balls, yes. And call him king if it makes the old troll happy.
Eivor:Treasure is what we want. Treasure and a truce. Take his offer.
Eivor:I have dealt with Charles more than you. He may stab us in the back.
Sigfred:He can try. And if he tries, I will take his silver and his throne.
Toka:Uncle, we came for wealth and peace for our clan. We can't take all of Francia. We are too few.
Eivor:Your battle, Sigfred, your choice. I'm here to forge my own truce with Charles.
Sigfred:You earned your share of the wealth, all the same.
Toka:Never fear, Eivor. Charles must put his kingdom back together. He cannot attack England after today.
Toka, Eivor, and Sigfred later went to meet with King Charles.
Sigfred:Charles. We take your gift and in return, we give you peace.
Charles agreed and put his hand out for Sigfred. Everyone stood still as Sigfred took his time to respond. Eivor later coughed insistently.
Eivor:Sigfred.
Charles shook hands with Sigfred, signifying their truce
Sigfred shook Charles' hand.
Charles:This man, Sigfred, swears to be my loyal friend and protect our lands in Amiens and Rouen...
The crowd cheered as Count Odo walked angrily into the truce.
Odo:Gozlin, Ebels, and my wife died defending Paris from these river pirates. And now you offer them the very silver we paid you to defend us. Are you mad? Wait. We know you are. Let me ask instead, are you a coward or a fool?
Charles:Sigfred swears to protect our land in the north—
Odo confronting Charles
Odo:If you surrender my birthright, you are no king of mine!
Eivor:Count Odo! I bested you in battle and spared your life. Honor the terms of our truce.
Odo:This heathen knows more about honor than my king.
Odo walked away.
Sigfred:Today has been a good day, but I tire of long speeches. We will take our silver and go. You Franks may stay and pursue your own quarrels.
Charles:Wait. A final matter. Eivor of England. Bring forth my son, Prince Bernard.
Eivor:I am as good as my word. Toka, bring out the boy.
Toka nodded and signaled her thegns. Bernard walked up with the thegn and ran up to his father.
Bernard:King Father! Take me home!
Charles kneeled to his son.
Charles:There, there. Stand straight like the future King of Francia. God watches you.
Toka:I want mead and music. Silver and song. Dancing, and someone warm in my sheets. Come friends, let us feast.
Charles asking Eivor about his son
Eivor:I cannot hand over the boy to one such as you. He is free to go where he wills.
Charles:You dare defy me?
Sigfred:Do you want battle, king? I will take your silver and your balls.
Eivor:Do not wreck your truce over one small boy.
Charles:Bernard is not any boy, he is my only son and heir!
Sigfred:What, have you forgot how to make another?
Charles:This is not over, Eivor of England.
Charles left in anger.
Sigfred:We have won a great victory and a great treasure. Come, we feast.
Sigfred, Eivor, and Toka left with their warriors. Eivor and her allies traveled back to Melun, where Toka and Sigfred greeted their people and allies.
Sigfred addresses his warriors regarding their siege of Paris
Sigfred:Tomorrow the Franks will bury their dead, thanking their God that they yet live. And they should, for Paris was merely kissed this time. Should we breach those walls again, we will bare our teeth and bite. And should Charles judge it wise to draw swords against us again, let him remember the glint of our axeblades. Let him remember the red mist on the air. The taste of iron...
An awkward silence occurred due to Sigfred's closing. Sigfred left the crowd as Toka addressed them.
Toka:Enjoy the feast, all! A purse full of silver to any who can drink more ale than I! Skal!
Time passed as everyone celebrated. Eivor soon left a fellow warrior after drinking alongside them.
