Switch back to Matthew’s point of view. He coordinates the exit strategy with his outside forces through secret codes, using them as a bit of a tribute to Alfred in a way. Finally, the day for the escape comes. Arthur has woken up enough due to some brotherly intervention and an odd dream to be useful. He plays at submitting to Mab. Matthew opens the door, the forces infiltrate, including Connall and Adain, who had both found themselves with the invading forces. Prophesy fulfilled, check. Adain and Darren are immensely happy to see each other after so long.
And out pops Alfred, out of the blue, and immediately begins fighting, throwing a sword to Arthur, and echoing the dialogue from the dream in Chapter 15, but with better results.
Here is the dialogue.
Arthur: Alfred what in the bloody five ages are you doing here?!
Alfred: Saving you!
Arthur: What made you think I needed saving?
Alfred: Because… you belong on my hard drive… deep within my C drive!
Arthur: Oh Gaia… Al… as much as I love you, that's one of your worst ones yet!
Alfred: Well what do you expect? We're fighting for our lives.
Arthur: Speaking of… a sword… that's new.
Alfred: Yeah, I've had a bit of an adventure.
Arthur: Well I'm glad someone could succeed at the impossible.
Alfred: We've always managed to before.
Arthur: You're impossible. Did you know you managed to convince Matthew that you died?
Alfred: What? Matt's here?
Arthur: Yes, he apparently thought you needed saving too.
Alfred: Me?
Arthur: Yes, you. You always need saving.
Alfred: Isn’t that your job?
End dialogue.
Things seem to be going fairly well, that is, until Mummy Kirkland gets involved, and pulls a dagger on her own son (Arthur). Alfred attempts to calm her, to gain her attention. It works when he says something dramatic, in that he now knows all the answers.
Cut scene to Midir’s. This is part of the exposition.
Midir’s smile lifted slightly. “Here,” he said, “Let us play.” He set a board along the table.
Alfred eyed him warily. “Sorry, but I don’t know how to play. And I’ve been told that I shouldn’t play games if I don’t know the rules.”
Midir laughed, and it was dark but fatherly, like the harsh, blinding winds of an avenging storm that protects, and keeps predators away from prey in the night. “Good, you already know the first rule then. And I think you know the second. Well? If you don’t know the rules, and you must play, then what?” His voice hung silky smooth in the air, a threat to answer.
Alfred thought. “Well…” What did he have to lose? “Cheat, then, I guess.”
Midir stared at him wide-eyed for a second, and then burst out into laughter. “Well then, certainly an option, Bairn… certainly… you do like to do the impossible, don’t you?”
Alfred smiled, glad to be on familiar ground once more. “Of course. Not many people can walk on the moon.”
Midir simply raised an eyebrow at him. “What is so special about moon-walking? Diana used to host parties up there, you know.”
Seriously? “In my world at least –“
“I know, lad. Sit. I will teach you, and tell you all that I can tell you.”
“Why does the Unseelie Court want Albia and his family?”
“The better question, is, perhaps, why do they want Angharad and hers?”
Alfred sighed. “Alright, fine. Why do they want Arthur’s Mom and her kids?”
“What would you do, if your people were hurting badly, and only you could help them?”
“Help them, of course. At any cost.”
“Such is a nation’s lot in life, so I’ve been told. And Angharad knew hers.” Midir stood, and unlocked a chest. “Here.” He offered Alfred a glass sphere filled with smoke about six inches in diameter. “This will explain things. Put your hand with mine.”
Alfred looked between the sphere and Midir’s angular face. He could trust him, right? He extended his palm, and placed it on the sphere.
There was a flurry of movement, a swirl of color and magic.
Crowe END/v
And out pops Alfred, out of the blue, and immediately begins fighting, throwing a sword to Arthur, and echoing the dialogue from the dream in Chapter 15, but with better results.
Here is the dialogue.
Arthur: Alfred what in the bloody five ages are you doing here?!
Alfred: Saving you!
Arthur: What made you think I needed saving?
Alfred: Because… you belong on my hard drive… deep within my C drive!
Arthur: Oh Gaia… Al… as much as I love you, that's one of your worst ones yet!
Alfred: Well what do you expect? We're fighting for our lives.
Arthur: Speaking of… a sword… that's new.
Alfred: Yeah, I've had a bit of an adventure.
Arthur: Well I'm glad someone could succeed at the impossible.
Alfred: We've always managed to before.
Arthur: You're impossible. Did you know you managed to convince Matthew that you died?
Alfred: What? Matt's here?
Arthur: Yes, he apparently thought you needed saving too.
Alfred: Me?
Arthur: Yes, you. You always need saving.
Alfred: Isn’t that your job?
End dialogue.
Things seem to be going fairly well, that is, until Mummy Kirkland gets involved, and pulls a dagger on her own son (Arthur). Alfred attempts to calm her, to gain her attention. It works when he says something dramatic, in that he now knows all the answers.
Cut scene to Midir’s. This is part of the exposition.
Midir’s smile lifted slightly. “Here,” he said, “Let us play.” He set a board along the table.
Alfred eyed him warily. “Sorry, but I don’t know how to play. And I’ve been told that I shouldn’t play games if I don’t know the rules.”
Midir laughed, and it was dark but fatherly, like the harsh, blinding winds of an avenging storm that protects, and keeps predators away from prey in the night. “Good, you already know the first rule then. And I think you know the second. Well? If you don’t know the rules, and you must play, then what?” His voice hung silky smooth in the air, a threat to answer.
Alfred thought. “Well…” What did he have to lose? “Cheat, then, I guess.”
Midir stared at him wide-eyed for a second, and then burst out into laughter. “Well then, certainly an option, Bairn… certainly… you do like to do the impossible, don’t you?”
Alfred smiled, glad to be on familiar ground once more. “Of course. Not many people can walk on the moon.”
Midir simply raised an eyebrow at him. “What is so special about moon-walking? Diana used to host parties up there, you know.”
Seriously? “In my world at least –“
“I know, lad. Sit. I will teach you, and tell you all that I can tell you.”
“Why does the Unseelie Court want Albia and his family?”
“The better question, is, perhaps, why do they want Angharad and hers?”
Alfred sighed. “Alright, fine. Why do they want Arthur’s Mom and her kids?”
“What would you do, if your people were hurting badly, and only you could help them?”
“Help them, of course. At any cost.”
“Such is a nation’s lot in life, so I’ve been told. And Angharad knew hers.” Midir stood, and unlocked a chest. “Here.” He offered Alfred a glass sphere filled with smoke about six inches in diameter. “This will explain things. Put your hand with mine.”
Alfred looked between the sphere and Midir’s angular face. He could trust him, right? He extended his palm, and placed it on the sphere.
There was a flurry of movement, a swirl of color and magic.