Eivor headed to meet Modron, who was waiting for her at Rollendritch.
Eivor:I can see Modron ahead.
Eivor spoke with Modron.
Eivor:How far has the search for me stretched?
Modron:Far enough to say it's best you stick to the countryside and wear that disguise. But Tewdwr's body has not been found as yet.
Eivor:Modron, well met.
Having learned the truth, Modron opted to chastise Eivor with sarcasm.
Modron:Guards! Someone save me! A murderous Dane is here to sever my head from my neck. You could have told me of your plight earlier. We are both friends of Brigid, and I know you would do nothing to jeopardize your friend.
Eivor:The night was full of drink and merriment. I do not remember much, but I had no quarrel with Tewdwr.
Modron:A sorry tale. Did you learn anything from Halewyn?
Eivor:He gave some herbs to a man from Cudd Lladron. Name of Gwilim, he was drinking with Tewdwr and myself.
Modron:Cudd Lladron is the Welsh name for the Thieves' Warren. It's atop a hill west of here. I can lead you.
Eivor:I owe you a great deal for all your aid. You did not have to trust me.
Modron:Tewdwr's fate is to my interest as well. This is a troubling development that I hope to get to the bottom of.
Eivor:Let us make haste then. I must find Gwilim and regain my honor.
Eivor:I would like to look at these sacred stones before we depart.
Modron:The old gods whisper in these stones. I've had my fill of their secrets. Tell me when you are ready to leave.
Eivor took her time to explore the site before returning to Modron.
Modron:Are you ready to depart?
(returns to choices)
Eivor riding beside Modron
Modron mounted a horse and headed west. Eivor followed behind her.
Eivor:This forest, and all Glowecestrescire, feels untamed. I feel as if I have ridden my horse through a door to another world.
Modron:Aye, there is old magic here. Old magic that would be snuffed out by Tewdwr and his Church.
Eivor:Tewdwr did speak of reformation. Do you think that's why he was targeted?
Modron:There are many who would claw their way to the top. Tewdwr's disappearance could be the work of any.
Eivor:But you are a witch, open to wisdom from the gods. Have you seen anything?
Modron:I see much smoke. Are there any rival Danes passing through who could have done it?
Eivor:If it were rival Danes, we'd have heard their horns by now. We are not a humble sort.
Modron:Blunt tongues and sharp axes.
They arrived at the path leading up to the Thieves' Warren. Eivor focused on the warren atop the hill.
Modron:Cudd Lladron. The Thieves' Warren... this is where I leave you.
Eivor:You'll find somewhere safe?
Modron:There is a shrine nearby. If you've need of me, then meet me there. Gods, old and new, go with you.
Eivor arriving at the Thieves' Warren
Eivor rode to the Thieves' Warren to find Gwilim. Upon her arrival, Eivor entered the stronghold via a drain tunnel and eavesdropped on the men within.
Anglo-Saxon Man 1:Learned this from one of the Daughters of Nimue. They're blessed in holy healing. It should help with the pain.
Tewdwr:Thank you, Feran. You've been a great comfort.
Eivor:That's Tewdwr's voice. So he lives!
Eivor looked inside one of the huts and found a note.
Note from Gwilim
Brought vittles for the lads. Tewdwr, for all his lily-white arse, is gracious, polite even. Shame about him. Dinner should be ready by sundown.
Eivor soon closed in on the voices from before, inside a nearby hut.
Eivor:That must be where Gwilim is hiding.
Eivor entered into the hut as she saw Gwilim tending to one of his prisoners.
Gwilim:O, shit.
Eivor interrogates Gwilim for his part in this scheme
Eivor:O, shit is right.
Tewdwr:Eivor! You're alive!
Eivor grabbed Gwilim by the throat.
Gwilim:Have mercy! I were under orders! EaldormanCynon! He gave us coin to dispose of Tewdwr.
Eivor:Then he should demand it back. Shit sellswords you are. Cannot kill a single man!
Eivor released the terrified bandit, and he stepped back.
Eivor:You made a poor choice in scapegoat, Gwilim.
Gwilim:And we thought that... if we kept the lad alive we could squeeze Cynon for more coin. To keep his secret.
Eivor:Why would Cynon pay to have Tewdwr killed? He is to be his successor.
Gwilim:We en't ones for details, the less we know, the better, yeah?
Eivor:You chose to extort the man, but you have no basis for the crime? You are imbeciles.
Eivor:Cynon's meeting his end in the wicker man at the end of the Samhain celebrations.
Eivor:You look like a man who lies to save his own skin.
Gwilim:I look like a man up to his neck in sheep shit. Please, I'm telling the truth!
Eivor:Tell it to your god.
Gwilim:Look, we wasn't gonna kill the lad! We've come to like having him around! Tell her! Tell her we've taken care of ye!
Tewdwr stood up haphazardly as Gwilim turned to him.
Tewdwr:Cynon did this? Why? I've done nothing−
Tewdwr fainted quickly.
Gwilim:O gods, is he dead? Wake up! Wake up! Tell the Dane I've hand-fed ye like a baby sparrow.
Eivor pushed Gwilim out of her way.
Eivor:Move, fool.
Gwilim:Ah!
Tewdwr barely moved, slipping in and out of consciousness.
Gwilim:Look, Eivor, we're mates right? Had drinks together? Remember the chickens?
Eivor:Speak again and I'll take your tongue.
Another hostage in the room spoke up, well-dressed and having the same voice as the man Tewdwr addressed as Feran.
Anglo-Saxon Man 1:Tewdwr'll need to see a healer, this lot've been smearing dung on his face. But I've been held for ransom by worse men.
Eivor knelt down to release the man from his bondage.
Eivor:Thank you for your aid, then. And try not to get held for ransom a third time after you flee.
Anglo-Saxon Man 1:Thank you, stranger!
Eivor carried Tewdwr out of the hut. Before leaving, Eivor also found Tewdwr's scribbled note.
Tewdwr's Scribbles
Buggershit. Were it my choice, I'd be Rome-bound right now to act in service of Him. Instead, I am to die without marriage to God or woman to fulfill me.
Tewdwr:When I awoke in this demon lair, I feared the worst.
Eivor:Save your strength, Tewdwr, it's a long ride.
Tewdwr:Cynon, he ordered my death? I don't understand. He's been like a father to me.
Eivor:I will ask him myself.
Tewdwr:I was mulish when he spoke of the pagans being just as we. Living in kindness, under the law of many gods. One face, many faces. It matters not. We are all blessed to be alive in His glory.
Eivor:This scrape has changed you, Tewdwr?
Tewdwr:Changed me. Change the dressings...
Eivor brings an injured Tewdwr to Modron
Eivor carried Tewdwr out of the warren to the shrine where Modron waited.
Eivor:He's hot to the touch, and his mind fades in and out, but he lives.
Modron:Perhaps a sickness of the blood. Shame, shame. He was captured by the men there?
Eivor:They claim to have been hired by Cynon.
Modron:Cynon did this?
Eivor:I know not why, only that he gave them coin to dispose of Tewdwr. You can see how well they saw to that.
Modron:They were alike once. The boy and Cynon. God-fearing Christians arguing the nature of life with me. But he softened.
Modron paused, reflecting on Cynon's motivations.
Modron:Men do great evil to cling onto power, and save their skin. Perhaps he means to put Tewdwr to flame in his place?
Eivor:Does not the rite demand the leader?
Modron:If he made the lad's body ealdorman, then it would still be right to sacrifice.
Eivor:Then he's not safe until I've dealt with Cynon. Can you tend to his wounds?
Modron:I am a very good healer, but if the gods want him to join them, I cannot stop their will. Eivor, what will you do with Cynon?
Eivor:I'll gut him. Death and dishonor is the punishment he deserves. All legacy destroyed.
Modron:Cynon may be ill and aged, but his sword arm is strong. He'll kill you first if you let him. Do not let him.
Eivor:My blade is imbued with the blood of gods and armies. I fear not a single coward.
Eivor:I will reveal his sins. Let his people decide if he deserves an honorable death.
Modron:The man tarnished your name and you would let him live?
Eivor:Shame for shame. Not even his god will welcome him when I'm done.
Eivor did not answer, only stood in determined silence.
Modron:You are resolute then. Then may you ride as Rhiannon.
Eivor:Thank you, Modron. And please, take care of Tewdwr. I must get to Cynon before the festival's end.