Eivor traveled to Aelfwood, full of Briton warriors and Anglo-Saxonsoldiers, to find Modron. Deep in the woods, Eivor heard a faint chant.
Eivor:The chanting. It's faint, but I recognize Modron's voice.
Eivor explored while she overheard the guards talking.
Briton Warrior 1:The mother is communing with the gods on this most holiest of times, and we're stuck guarding the door.
Anglo-Saxon Soldier 1:I'd rather be out here in case the ritual goes sour and we end up as a meal for the gods.
Eivor investigated within certain caves and found a note among her search.
Scrap of Paper
Tried to lie down in a cave for rest and was shooed off by some hooded creatures with skull faces. I'll not rest anywhere in this cursed place.
Eivor in the guarded cavern
Eivor found the entrance within Ochre Caves. After moving an obstacle, Eivor stealthily moved around toxic gases to see a group of guards. Sleuthing through Modron's guards, Eivor found her way to Modron's ritual ceremony.
Modron:Blood and sweat, death and birth. Turn this man from beast to earth. Forest Father. Take this body. Eat of him and feed the land. Cernunnos, hear my plea and guide my hand. Cut down our foes. And fill our fields with grain to sow.
Eivor remarked on the ritual chamber, which was filled with an air of otherworldliness.
Eivor:Have I stepped into Alfheim, or is this a new realm entirely?
Eivor rushed into Modron's ceremony.
Modron reciting before her ritual to sacrifice Tewdwr
Modron:Sweat and blood, death and birth. Turn this man from beast to earth.
Modron raised her knife to sacrifice Tewdwr until Eivor shouted.
Eivor:Modron! Stay your blade, or die at my hand.
Modron:I should have known Cynon wouldn't have it in him to quarter you for the dogs.
Eivor:It's a cold bitch who throws her lover to the wolves for her own crimes.
Modron:You understand so little. No matter. Let me enlighten you with the fury of the gods.
Modron fired arrows at Eivor from her vantage point. Eivor fired back.
Eivor:Take this!
Modron employed fire and poison in her attacks, careful to leap down the ziplines and run up alternate stone walkways when Eivor chased her. Eivor continued to land accurate attacks.
Eivor:Die Modron!
Modron defeated by Eivor
Eventually, Eivor claimed victory. Modron fell over at Eivor's hands.
Modron:Do it, then. Leave Glowecestrescire in the hands of that Christian, and for what? Your name and some trade routes.
Eivor:Do you doubt the power of your gods to sway the mind of a man? Tewdwr is no longer the zealot you believe him to be.
Modron:A man will lie to save his skin. When you are gone, he'll gut me and burn my people. The gods showed me this.
Eivor:Cynon spoke of your vision. The Nornir spin their fatal threads, but without your plan, his heart would remain unchanged.
Modron:Then I've no regrets. But I had a vision of you as well, one of a path that twists like the River Ouse.
Odin:A seer's spinnings twist limb and word alike. Prophecy is a river, and we are powerless to fight its clutches.
Modron:She was fighting to protect her people.
Odin:But she ground your name to dust! Sullied the honor of herself, and her people.
Eivor:I cut my own path.
Eivor lifted her axe and killed Modron. Gwenydd saw her mother cut down.
Gwenydd:Mama!
Gwenydd ran to her dead mother and mourned as Eivor stood shocked at her sudden arrival. Suddenly, Tewdwr awoke and saw the mayhem before him.
Tewdwr:Lord in his mercy. What sorcery happened here?
Eivor:The high priestess, Modron, tried to kill you.
Tewdwr:Why? In God's name. I've done nothing to her.
Eivor:She feared the church would use you as god's hammer. So she convinced Cynon to have you killed.
Eivor:Cynon and Modron conspired to bring about your end. Now, both lie dead by my hand.
Eivor:I killed Modron, but Cynon lives to burn in the wicker man.
Tewdwr:Such a waste of life. The devil whispers into the ear of man. But we must ignore his voice.
Eivor:Modron had a vision of you wiping out the pagans. And Gwenydd is Cynon's bastard, so he simply did it to protect his kin.
Tewdwr:Love's for one's child is a virtue, but wrath is a sin. How can one entangle with the other.
Eivor:We all lose our heads when our legacy is threatened, be that name, kingdom, or child.
Gwenydd was still in mourning for her mother.
Eivor:Now, what of the witchling?
Tewdwr:I'll see that she's cared for. She has no guilt in this.
Gwenydd:I will not join your Church of Christ.
Tewdwr:You won't have to.
Gwenydd left with Tewdwr as Eivor watched them leave.
Eivor sheathed her weapon, sparing Modron's life.
Eivor:Cynon is dead for your lies. Your wicker man will burn empty.
Eivor:I spared Cynon. Say your goodbyes and keep out of my sight, witch.
Gwenydd jogged in, interrupting them as she frequently did back in town.
Gwenydd:Mother?
Modron reunited with her daughter
Gwenydd shot a confused look at Eivor as she jogged past her to her mother's arms. Modron hugged her child, looking to Eivor briefly before turning her face back towards Gwenydd with a smile. A moment later, Tewdwr regained consciousness.
Tewdwr:I feel well... but it's a little fragrant in here, is it not?
Eivor:You will live to be ealdorman yet, Tewdwr. Despite the many attempts on your life.
Modron reassuring Tewdwr on his recovery
Tewdwr:Attempts? Untimely death? God's blood!
Eivor:Cynon was behind the attempt on your life. Modron brought you here.
Eivor:You're safe, and the ceremony will proceed in Glowecestre.
Modron:Your wounds should heal by the next moon, if you get some rest.
Tewdwr:Then you have my thanks, Mother Modron!
Tewdwr turned to leave the cave as Eivor followed close behind. Modron knelt down to talk to her daughter.
Tewdwr:Lovely woman, utterly terrifying though. Let's return with haste. This cave is a place of nightmares.
Eivor left the ritual area and found an exit atop the ceremony's stairs. Upon leaving, Eivor walked into a bedroom and noticed a note on a table.
On Tewdwr
So Glowecestre is to go to war. With a poor harvest, Cynon must ascend as the ultimate offering. And, while my beloved morsel feeds the gods, the church has chosen a zealot to replace him. Tewdwr, who favors the flame and the cross it is told. I am to trance this evening in search of answers. I only pray they come.
Eivor looked around even further and discovered another note near a couple of makeshift beds.
Modron's Journal Page
I would be a liar if I claimed I only laid with Cynon because of his role in the ceremony.
In our debates, I have admired him. The blade of his jaw, the bulge of his arms, the soft hairs on his chest. I made sure to acquaint my hands with what my eyes thirsted for. Knew what he was doing, the old bastard. Recognized me under the mask. Finished the ceremony with my name on his lips.
Gods, I hope I don't love him. That would complicate everything.
Eivor soon found another set of stairs, exited out of the caves, and left for Glowecestre.
