The Realm of Austur Episode 2: New Consequences

They finished the meal in comfortable silence- Vincent's initial reaction had worn off and while he still found her absolutely gorgeous, he had managed to regain his composure- and he quickly cleared the table. Despite his protests, and the fact she was wearing a handmade dress, Elia helped him clear the table and clean the dishes. He did appreciate the help, and though he probably wouldn't admit it aloud, her helping despite her attire made him inexplicably... Happy. He had no clue why.

"I'm going to go change into something more practical," he says after they finish. "As much as I love that dress... You may wish to change. It's fairly cold outside, and we're going up the mountain a bit. I have a longcoat you can have, if you need a warmer jacket."

"You can have mine," Vincent finishes, smiling. "Don't worry Elia. I have a million of the darn things. I'm glad to finally be able to put them to good use, since I don't get cold, as you are well aware. If you get done before I do, just wait here for me all right? I'll be finished in a sec."

After she nods, he walks the short distance to his bedroom- which he only uses for storage, changing, and the bathroom anyway- and walks inside. He neatly folds his royal regalia and places it on the bed, before stepping into the shower. He showers quickly, shaves the fur off his face, leaving him with only gruff whiskers, and he swiftly changes into his usual cold weather travelling attire; a black silk tunic, dark brown leather chest armor, dark brown leggings, worn black custom boots and a black overcoat with brown bear fur around the collar. He then removes a similar coat from his closet- this one had white fur lining the collar- and examines it.

It was one of Silver's old coats, and in human form, she was similarly built to Elia... It should fit her. It pained him to give it to someone else, since in his mind that meant Silver wasn't coming back, but it also relieved him a bit. He was even... Glad that it would go to Elia. It was an odd mixture of feelings.

Vincent walks back out into the great hall and he finds Elia already waiting, just as he expected. He unfolds the coat and helps her into it. "Let me see, this should fit you... Ah, there we go. How does that feel?"

"I have not always lived alone," Vincent says quietly, his eyes far, far away. He shakes his head, forcing the thought aside.

"Pay me no heed, Elia. I'm just tired. Are you ready to go? We have a bit of a hike ahead of us."

The hidden passage to Gorgath slides open, and Vincent steps out into the cold afternoon air. Sunlight filters down through the gray clouds above, accompanied by a light snowfall. Elia steps outside after him, and the passage closes on its own. Vincent leads her to a partially concealed mountain path covered in snow, not far from Gorgath. The path is a somewhat steep climb, and what little road there is is dotted with snow capped trees. Vincent guides Elia along the path in silence.

After a few more minutes, the pair come upon a tree unlike the rest. The current path dead ends into the mountain and splits off into a different path, leading even further up the mountain. The World Tree stands at the edge of this fork, a beautiful tree of white bark and emerald leaves, rising some forty feet into the sky. From this close, even the lowliest mage could sense the waves of magic rolling off the tree... But a powerful mage... A powerful mage could see the lines of power stretching miles into the sky, the giant field of flowing magic surrounding the tree, shimmering like the Aurora Borealis. And a Type 1 like Elia, whose energy is so closely linked to the tree... Vincent could scarcely imagine what she must be seeing now.

"Behold one of the twelve Saplings of Yggdrassil, the World Tree," Vincent says softly, noting the look of awe on her face. "It is the source of all magic, and the protector of Gorgath. It has been here since time immemorial. Just as the tree protects the city from intruders, the keeper of Gorgath is charged with protecting the tree from those who would try to misuse its gift. I have been the guardian of Yggdrassil for over a century now. I use my powers over darkness and illusion to conceal the tree from the outside world."

He turns to Elia and his eyes soften. For once, he doesn't even try to put up his usual facade. "This is my sacred duty, Elia. I do not lightly bring anyone here, and I have never told anyone how I protect the tree. Not until you. I may not be able to trust you as much as you deserve... My past has scarred me far too much. But make no mistake Elia. I do trust you. I trust you more than I've trusted anyone in a very long time."

He turns back towards the tree and smiles. "Part of my duty is finding a successor, in case I meet an untimely demise. I have not found someone with the power to end me yet... But that does not mean said person isn't out there. In case that time comes, I need someone to look after Gorgath and protect Yggdrassil. In the wrong hands... This tree could cause a cataclysm on the scale of the Old Gods. I want you to be my successor, Elia."

Vincent gives an exasperated sigh. "I brought you here to prove to you I trust you, Elia. And... Because the tree can help you."

He walks up to the tree and places a gentle hand against its smooth bark, bowing his head in respect. "All magick is derived from Yggdrassil... But a Type 1's magick, Elia, is much closer to the source. Think of it like a giant fishing net. The net extends outward in all directions across the planet, with the Twelve Saplings at its center. All magick flows through the strands of this net, but some magick doesn't flow quite as far. It doesn't reach the end of the net. This magick is usually much more powerful, but due to this, it doesn't reach as many people. Holy Magic is the greatest of these 'Source Magicks'. Its strand barely leaves the trees, reaching only a handful of people. That's why you're feeling like you've just come home after a long voyage. The tree is calling to you. Do you understand?"

He turns back to Elia, and motions for her to join him. "From now on, I want you to meditate under the tree for an hour each morning. It will help you come to terms with your power and, eventually, it will help you master it."

Vincent nods and sits down next to her. "You're right... Forgive me, Elia. That was insensitive of me. I'm sorry for scaring you." He leans back against the tree and closes his eyes, smiling. "You know Elia, we have Yggdrassil to thank for bringing us together. I would never have met you if it weren't for this tree."

Vincent opens his eyes and stares out at the horizon. "It's a long story," he says softly, smiling slightly. "But suffice to say, this tree is what caused my encounter with Alucard, and set me on the path to meeting you. I had a vision of you, Elia. Did I tell you that? We have Yggdrassil to thank for that, as well."

He turns then, his eyes locking with hers. He smiles kindly, and brushes a clump of snow off her shoulder. "You are very special, Elia. More so than you realize. But don't mistake this for a bad thing. You can still live a normal life. You may not think so now, but I promise you I speak the truth. My duty, as your mentor and friend, is to help you understand that."

Vincent suddenly rises to his feet and stretches. "But until that time comes, I will be by your side no matter what may happen. Training accidents and all."

He turns back to her and bends down slightly, offering his hand to her. "How about we head home? It's getting awfully cold out here."

Vincent smiled back as he helped her up, though inwardly he flinched. I knew this was coming... And I know she needs this. I have to give her time. But it doesn't make this any easier...

"Take as long as you need, Elia. I won't ask to come with you. Whatever you have to do, know that I will support you. But before you leave, I want to give you something."

"I did," Vincent admits. "The future is a network of infinite possibilities Elia, but by playing to the greatest possibility and supplementing the odds with outside knowledge of the event you're trying to predict... It becomes possible to predict the future with only a small margin of error. It takes a long time to fully understand and comprehend this, let alone master the ability, but it's one of the many things I still have to teach you. You don't have to be a Type-4 to be psychic, Elia."

He leads her back down the mountain and back into Gorgath. Once they reach the palace, and the Great Hall inside, he walks up to the throne and speaks in the Ancient Tongue, effectively telling the palace to 'Open its secrets for the one who already knows', when roughly translated to Common. The throne slides aside with a loud grinding sound, revealing a hidden stairway beneath, leading deep underground.

"This leads to the Treasure Room and the legendary Forge of Gorgath," he says, a hint of reverence in his voice. "All of the best kept secrets of the Dwarves rest down here. Follow me, and stay close to me Elia. The path here can be... tricky. Even for the King."