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Episode: Part 45 "The Fire"

Author: Harlan Guthrie
Duration: 00:49:34

Episode Shownotes

In Part 45, 'The Fire' Arthur, John and Yorick seek a place to rest for the night as they travel through the woods. After a short detour they encounter a village and bed down for the night. In the warm glow of the firelight, they are met with memory and

regret until an unexpected event causes them to change their plans for the evening. What follows is a delve into stories, history and what lay at the heart of all. Trust goes a long way in the dark of night... If you enjoy this show, please consider supporting: https://www.patreon.com/TheINVICTUSStream Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Full Transcript

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00:02:22 Speaker_01
Tastes foul. Something may have died upstream. We have lost sight of the road. We know. We'll find it again. We know the direction. Didn't you say you could lead us back anyway? Yes, of course. I need to take a moment. Take as long as you need.

00:02:48 Speaker_01
You've been going for hours. Much of it was more difficult terrain than the road. The sun will not be up much longer. It's fine. What I wouldn't give to see these trees. Mind you, I suppose I said that in New York about the buildings, didn't I?

00:03:13 Speaker_01
Do you remember England? Bits and pieces, but it's not just about how they would look. I think it's almost, it's almost the knowing of being here. I don't know. It's difficult to explain. Having a home. I can only imagine. Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to- No!

00:03:44 Speaker_01
I have a home. I suppose. It's just... It holds no sentimental value to me. At least, not right now. Who knows if it ever will again. Mind you, that would imply I ever had sentimentality. Perhaps you did. I don't know. Is that a human emotion? Who knows.

00:04:13 Speaker_01
It is not! Thanks, Yorick. Yellow... Yellow was sent back to the Dreamlands. By Kain, wasn't he? I don't know. I believe so. When he sent Larsson there. Larsson. And... Noel. Noel. Look, we can't... We don't know what happened to him. I know. I know.

00:04:41 Speaker_01
And moreover, if we fail this task, none of that matters. Whether he's alive or dead, Cain will make one of those a certainty if we don't find the Blackstone. Cain. Yeah. Why didn't he show up? With the witch? When I called to him? I don't know.

00:05:00 Speaker_01
He did before, but... But this time... He... I don't know. This... Look, this whole thing. Sending us here to retrieve the stone he can't touch, or see, or what? We don't know.

00:05:15 Speaker_01
I have to assume that either he doesn't care right now, or... Or he can't be here. For whatever reason, this time period, this place, it's a blind spot for him. Given that he's dumped us out here, I have to feel like that's the case.

00:05:33 Speaker_01
He managed to send us here. Yeah. I don't know. Alexander? He seems to like you. I think he likes us. Oh, feel that breeze. Lovely. The sun is a brilliant shade of orange. It's behind the trees now, directly before us.

00:06:08 Speaker_01
It feels so close, like it's touching the forest, outlining the trunks in fiery copper. It feels almost painterly, The composition of nature. Without people. Without streets. No rumbling motors. Just... peace. Huh. What?

00:06:41 Speaker_01
In the river, there's a... I'm not sure. Straight ahead. Here, here. It's a weaved basket. It was in the river. To catch fish! To catch fish? Why? There must be... Here! Another! This one is at the side of the stream, just up a little bit. Here!

00:07:13 Speaker_01
Another one, but this one is larger, with a hole in it. There must be people nearby, to leave these unattended. Look around, do you see anything? The forest floor is somewhat... trampled. Well enough to form what looks like a dirt path.

00:07:33 Speaker_01
It leads up towards the hills a short way. However, it disappears beyond some trees. Hmm. We should look. I suppose so. No? I... We stayed off the road to avoid people. We stayed away from the road for a few reasons. Right, right. I just... She's dead.

00:07:56 Speaker_01
Believe me. We'll not be able to avoid the things in this world that wish to harm us. You and I walk a path fraught with devils, in many a skin. We can't allow fear to halt our progress. You're right. Especially with the mundane.

00:08:21 Speaker_01
This is only signs of life, no different than the windmill. Could be a lone hunter cabin, or a small family. We have no ill intentions. We'll be honest and perhaps form... It could be a whole village! Yes. You know, first, actually... Master? Sorry, Urik?

00:08:41 Speaker_01
The bag you took from the hags, then? You present a rather troublesome image for us. I don't want people to see me carrying a rotting skull. May send the wrong impression. I'm sure you understand. Of course. Just until we've passed through. Or longer.

00:08:59 Speaker_01
This way? Yes, here. This is a well-traveled path to the stream. It must be used for a multitude of things. Washing, maybe. Although I suppose those baskets were for fishing. Arthur, the light is almost gone. Okay.

00:09:19 Speaker_01
We won't be able to travel through the woods at night. The canopy is too dense for moonlight. Besides, we'd run the risk of moving further from the road. Right. Wait, wait. I see the trees part up ahead. I see a small number of buildings. Okay, okay.

00:09:41 Speaker_01
Do you know what you're going to say? Less than more. Let's just go. Guide me. There are three wood buildings with walls, and a fourth without. A large fire pit sits in the center of these buildings. They all look inwardly toward it.

00:10:06 Speaker_01
A massive tree sits off to the left. It seems as though the buildings were positioned around it, almost. The fire looks cold. The building's empty. There's no livestock. Though there is a pen for... something. The fence is still intact. I don't see anyone.

00:10:39 Speaker_01
Three buildings are full. The fourth is just a... I don't know. There's a stone floor and a large disc similar to that of the windmill and... I can't see from here. But it looks like it could be a workshop or kitchen. This was a village. As I thought.

00:11:01 Speaker_01
They still could be here. Stay quiet. Where is the uh... The first building is to your right. Here. Here. Hello? It's a small building. Wooden sticks for walls laid horizontally. Mud rubbed against the sticks for warmth. A simple straw bed on the floor.

00:11:27 Speaker_01
A pot in the corner and baskets piled in another. I think... The light outside has all but died, Arthur. It's difficult to see. Okay. I think they're gone. The fire is cold. Yes, and for some time. Arthur, the sun is nearly set.

00:11:55 Speaker_01
We need to make camp before all the light is gone. Otherwise we'll be struggling to build a fire for warmth. Agreed. There is wood here. There's wood here? Cut in a pile next to the fire. It'll be easy enough to start. Look, if this place is abandoned,

00:12:16 Speaker_01
The lair provides cover from the wind as well as shelter for us. If it should rain, it would be safer and wiser to sleep here. Perhaps in one of the houses even. I don't know if I want to be in one of those buildings. It feels a bit like trespassing.

00:12:32 Speaker_01
Even sleeping by the fire here- No, listen. I can't say as I disagree with you. about using what's in front of us. We could head back down to the river and camp there, away from whatever all this is, but who knows what lurks in these woods. Yes.

00:12:50 Speaker_01
But we also don't know what happened to these people. For all we know, they're simply out hunting. They may not appreciate that their firewood is being used when they return. Here or there, it doesn't matter. But we have to decide.

00:13:03 Speaker_01
I don't want to be searching for wood with your lighter. Of course, me neither. Yes, let's just stay here, then. But by the fire pit. You really don't want to stay in one of the houses. I... I can't explain it. The house felt... off. Off? Cold, in a way.

00:13:28 Speaker_01
Colder than it should be. Okay. Do you remember how you saw an aura around Marie's home? And... Yes. Yes, of course. Well, I can't explain it. But being in that small home felt... It felt like something was running its cold fingers along my skin.

00:13:53 Speaker_01
Briefly, but... Well, then. We'll sleep out here. Yes, okay. Let's get this fire going. Hm. What? Oh, nothing. Just... Some of the wood is slightly damp. Should be okay, though. We'll put it on once it gets going.

00:14:17 Speaker_01
Why are you... You're stacking the firewood in a... point. A teepee style. It's... It's what I was taught. Oh. In the, uh... Boys' Brigade? Yes. Good memory. Jesus. When did I- In the dreamlands. Right, right, right. When we first arrived. Wow.

00:14:48 Speaker_01
Wow, that feels like a lifetime ago. It does. You remembered that? Despite spending so much time in the- I suppose it stuck with me. Or you're just a good friend. But yes, that's one of the ways I was taught. There's also the log cabin. Log cabin?

00:15:12 Speaker_01
Yeah, you kind of build a log cabin type structure, lay sticks back and forth. I always preferred this method. How old were you when you were in the boys' brigade? Around 12. It was quite, you know, There were some strong positives about it.

00:15:38 Speaker_01
You didn't mention. Yeah. I joined at a difficult time in my life. The obedience, reverence, discipline, you know, all those things they instilled that were meant to be true Christian manliness, which is, yes, but there were some strong positives.

00:15:59 Speaker_01
Some real moments of hope instilled in a child who felt Hopeless. Such as? Friendship. Friendship? I think... I think I probably made my first real friend there. Real friend. Who? I... Arthur? It doesn't matter.

00:16:37 Speaker_01
You know, they would use these imitation drill rifles at camp for us boys playing war. Are you okay? Yes, I just haven't thought about it much. Especially not in a long time. There. That should do it. It looks quite nice. I'm impressed, and I feel alone.

00:17:00 Speaker_01
Oh, isn't that hard? But we do need some tinder. Kindling. Something I can slide into the base to catch fire easily.

00:17:11 Speaker_02
Hmm.

00:17:12 Speaker_01
Preferably something that would burn strong and long enough to catch the... Such as? Well, with enough of it, I guess it doesn't matter, but something dry, with lots of air, strips of birch bark, dry grass. Maybe the animal pen? Right, yeah.

00:17:29 Speaker_01
It may have some hay, or... The left! It's quite dark now. Here, here. There's a short fence made of sticks. It's just above knee height. There's hay on the ground and... And? I... I thought... What? I thought I saw someone.

00:18:09 Speaker_01
in the woods they were just standing there watching us are they still here? there's nothing there perhaps it was a play of the last light perhaps The hay is scattered along the ground. Right, right. Here. Yes. This should be enough. The fire was here.

00:18:51 Speaker_01
Here. Here. Okay. Okay. Ah. Catching? Very nicely. We'll add a little bit at a time. When the thicker pieces begin to catch, I'll add some of the larger logs and... The damp ones? Yes, well, the dampest ones I put here. To dry out from the warmth of the fire.

00:19:16 Speaker_01
Huh. What? Nothing. It's... I suppose I... I forget at times that... What? The timid little voice that you had when we first met. The bewildered Englishman who stammered over every other word. I guess I have to remark on how different things feel now.

00:19:42 Speaker_01
Listen, if you woke up how I did, it would have... No, of course. I just... It's funny to think back to that. In some ways, I suppose. Right, right. Of course, I... I only mean to say... No, look. Look, you're right.

00:20:04 Speaker_01
I mean... Ever since leaving New York, things that have happened... I don't know, looking back, all of it... All of it feels more... Meaningless? Almost. It's just... Knowing that Cain is capable of... Knowing that I'm just one of many.

00:20:37 Speaker_01
Knowing that if we fail, everything and everyone is at stake. I don't know, it puts our petty problems, our missteps, even our misdeeds into... Well, it puts them all into a new light. Is that why... What? Is that why you forgave me so quickly? No, no.

00:21:04 Speaker_01
Maybe. I don't know. You sound almost apathetic. Perhaps. Cain has revealed such truths. And special or not, I... I still feel a little lost in a sea of many. Directionless? We have a direction.

00:21:32 Speaker_01
It's just... How many times do you think Cain has spoken to us in that way? To John and Arthur? What do you mean? Do you think we're the first he sent back here? To try this? I... This is what I mean. We don't know.

00:21:55 Speaker_01
We don't know how many Arthurs and how many Johns camped in this spot. How many times we've... I've... died to the witch. So... So... I guess a bit of... What's the point? Maybe. I mean... Trying to find the meaning in all of this.

00:22:21 Speaker_01
Trying to find the... The point... So... What? So what? So what? So... So fuck meaning. Fuck meaning? Or... Find your own meaning. Remember what you said. No matter how vast the darkness... We must supply our own light. Find meaning. We find the light.

00:22:57 Speaker_01
We found it a hundred times over and over and over and we'll keep finding it. Yeah. Yeah. You're right. You're right. I am the captain of my soul. Exactly. That's the fucking truth, Arthur. So what if versions of us have been here before? They weren't us.

00:23:21 Speaker_01
No, they weren't. So what if they failed? We won't. That's right. We won't. You're right. You're so fucking right. You know, it's always moments like this by the firelight that we tend to let our minds flounder. How human. You know, it really is, though.

00:23:44 Speaker_01
Camping is something primal about the act of sitting near the firelight. It feels, I don't know, perennial. The firelight hides the small amount of light in the sky. Yes, yes.

00:24:02 Speaker_01
It becomes difficult to see anything else when the flame before you is so bright. But I am glad we get to camp together, though. As friends do. Me too. in Boys' Brigade. I joined after my parents, obviously. So I was... It was difficult.

00:24:31 Speaker_01
But there was someone that I truly hadn't thought of in many years. At first they were... Arthur.

00:24:42 Speaker_02
Hm?

00:24:44 Speaker_01
There's someone standing opposite us. He's approached from the darkness of the wood. He's standing, eyes transfixed on the firelight. May I join you? Yes. Yes, please. Have a seat. Arthur, the man is wearing a dark cloak of some sort.

00:25:14 Speaker_01
It obscures his face for the most part. Those eyes are bright in the firelight. He's sitting opposite us, on the far side of the fire. Cross-legged. He's staring into the embers. Is this your village? No. This is not my village. Oh.

00:25:40 Speaker_01
How did you- I saw your light. In the wood. From the dark. I was drawn to it. It seemed... so inviting. What is your name? My name is... Malum. A palindrome. Yes. Very good. His eyes are unmoving. but he's brought the hood of his cloak back.

00:26:14 Speaker_01
He has a dark complexion, flecks of white in his otherwise black hair, given the appearance of a somewhat older man.

00:26:24 Speaker_01
He has a thin, graying beard, and his eyes seem to be two different colors, though it's difficult to see in the orange hue of the firelight. I didn't see anyone in the village. I hope we're not We may be joined by them shortly. I do not believe so.

00:26:49 Speaker_01
You don't? His eyes break from the fire for the first time. He's looking around the village. He has two parallel scars running along the right side of his face. And his right ear is gone. Do you know what happened? Were you drawn to the light as well? Me?

00:27:11 Speaker_01
No, no, I started the fire. You? He almost looks surprised. His eyes have landed on you for the first time. You started this fire? Yes, of course. Why? For warmth. Warmth. He's holding his hands out to the flame. They're worn, bruised almost.

00:27:37 Speaker_01
The nails on one of his hands look as though they've been torn off. I forget the need for it. I couldn't sleep without a fire. It's far too cold. It is. It is. But still, I would not. You would not what? Start a fire? No. Why? for fear of what it may invite.

00:28:12 Speaker_01
What could it invite? In these woods, there are things, some of which I would not wish to share a fire with. Is this a warning? Do you wish me to leave? No. No, it's just... You speak ill of beings that live in these woods, but... You are one. No.

00:28:46 Speaker_01
No, I was merely passing through. So where is your destination, then? For now, I have none. Tomorrow, we'll see. You have no destination. I have many, but they change. I go where I am needed. And where were you needed? I was needed here. Here? Yes.

00:29:15 Speaker_01
In the village? When? Only a short while ago. I don't understand. Could you put another log on the fire? Please. Of course. The wood is still stacked to the left of the pit. He's staring at his hands again. Thank you. So you were needed here. By whom? A man.

00:29:46 Speaker_01
A man? Why did he need you? The man turns his hands over and over again. Studying them. As if he hasn't seen them in years. A man. Who arrived in this village. from the direction you came. He came with hope in his heart, and fear, and purpose.

00:30:15 Speaker_01
And he needed you? Not at first, no. What happened that he needed you? I have not felt a fire like this in a long time. It is not warm, but it is... welcoming. You welcomed me. I did not expect that. What do you mean? You expected me? No.

00:30:46 Speaker_01
But my... me saying that you could join me... I did not expect it. You are not like those that were here. What happened here? Malum. A man kills a child. Does he deserve to die? Does he? Arthur. Arthur, are I? No. No, he doesn't. Why? There is no...

00:31:32 Speaker_01
I don't know enough. I couldn't condemn a man to death simply because he committed an atrocity. He continues to live, yet you call it an atrocity. It is. Of course it is. But accidents happen. You assume it was an accident. Wasn't it?

00:31:59 Speaker_01
Intention is what matters to you. Intention is the difference between first and second degree murder. He stares at you. His expression unchanged. The man's intention changes the nature of his punishment. It must. It's what society is based around.

00:32:19 Speaker_01
Rule of law. So if an accident, the man is innocent through the rule of law. Not innocent. No. Never innocent. And what if he sees himself as wrong? What is this? What are you- What if he blames himself? If he believes himself guilty? Stop it.

00:32:49 Speaker_01
If he decides he deserves to die? Enough of this! What if the child herself believes he deserves to die? Who are you? The stranger came through the river. He arrived soaking wet, frantic, his eyes wet with tears.

00:33:18 Speaker_01
The village was quick to comfort him, despite their desire for solitude in these woods. It wasn't until they had fed and clothed him that they found the little boy downstream.

00:33:33 Speaker_01
The rage was all that burned in the parents' eyes, and the village became riotous. They drowned out the voice of the stranger, who claimed he had tried to save the young boy from drowning. Why didn't the stranger say anything when he arrived?

00:33:50 Speaker_01
That is not my purpose. Not his purpose? The village became fervent, uncontrollable to the point where not a soul stood with the stranger. Even the children wanted his blood. And so, they spilt it to the hilt. Jesus. Their obligation fulfilled.

00:34:18 Speaker_01
The stranger decimated. The village could finally grieve. Though not in peace. There is no peace in such violence. I have come to know this well. His eyes have finally returned to the firelight. To his hands. I don't understand. You said... he needed you.

00:34:51 Speaker_01
But you were not a villager. You said no one stood with him. Did he deserve to die? No, I already told you- And what if it were your child? I... I... I can't say... I... I... You can't? Or won't?

00:35:10 Speaker_01
I... Ortho... I will never condone an act that is so wholly monstrous. I cannot say with any truth that I would not completely and utterly despise the man who took my daughter.

00:35:43 Speaker_01
That I would forever wish in pain, in suffering, and in immeasurable guilt that he carries with him till the end of time. But, but, In this case, if I knew it were an accident... He would not deserve death. I would have wanted him dead.

00:36:26 Speaker_01
But he would not have deserved it. That is the question you asked. And that is my answer. The stranger did try to save the boy. I cannot blame the parents. The stranger did. So you... you are the stranger. No. He is dead. Then who are you?

00:36:58 Speaker_01
How did the stranger need you? When a child Dies. I am awakened. Drawn to their light. What? Awakened? How? What did you do to this village? Enacted vengeance. Vengeance? For what? For the stranger? I... I... I don't... A child's death is a powerful thing.

00:37:39 Speaker_01
I hear their call and see their light in the darkness when they leave this world. It stirs me from my slumber. I hear their whispers when they linger. What did the boy tell you? To avenge the man who tried to save him. What? Are you? I have told you.

00:38:09 Speaker_01
I am a servant. For the children. The villagers know more. I have fulfilled the young boy's wish. And the man's request. Why is he here now? So why are you here? Why did you join me by my fire? I was drawn to the light. I did not know you lit it.

00:38:37 Speaker_01
It looked so... inviting. Who did you think lit it? Malum. Malum, who do you think lit this fire? A child. What child? The death of a child is an immeasurable sorrow that one carries through life. It is a scar that will neither disappear nor heal.

00:39:18 Speaker_01
It is a piece of you that is lost forever. What? Child? Do you know why? Why? Children are hope. They are everything we put out into this world. They are what remains when we die. What lingers when we are forgotten. They are our betters. Our futures.

00:39:51 Speaker_01
Our learned mistakes. They are hope. Please. Tell me! I do not know if you had that hope when your daughter was alive. But I see now that you have found it. The spark of hope. That meaning. Here. In your journey towards our day of wrath. Thoreau?

00:40:28 Speaker_01
It is her light within this fire I sensed. Her laugh on the wind that I hear. She cannot speak it, but I can feel her. She... She is the spark within every firelight you birth. The embers in every torch you carry. She is what gives you light. Arthur.

00:41:05 Speaker_01
Can you... Can she hear me? Can I... That is not my purpose. But... You allowed me to join your fire. And you honor your daughter. By knowing you no longer deserve to die, you reinforce her belief in you. For these truths, I offer you a gift. A gift?

00:41:46 Speaker_01
One of two I can grant. A truth, or an item. I can only offer one. A truth, I think. An item is only useful if I know how to use it. And there's so much I don't know about this place, about this time, about our goal. I need to know more. Very well.

00:42:25 Speaker_01
He's closed his eyes, as if praying quietly. His hands are flat against the ground on either side of him. I can't hear what he's saying. He's scooping the dirt from the ground and... he's pouring it into the fire.

00:42:50 Speaker_01
He's listening, intently, with his eyes closed, careening his head slightly. is if to listen more closely. The children of this forest, they see you.

00:43:11 Speaker_01
The truth they offer, however, does not speak of your quest, nor this place or time, but rather a shadow that follows you. They know little of your goal or of how to achieve it. But they know what pursues you. I know of it as well. What? What pursues us?

00:43:45 Speaker_01
Cain? It is known in this land as Mother Darkness. She is following you. Yes. She is. Mother Darkness is her name. But only one of many. Many? One of her. Faces. The witch. The shroud. The dimming light.

00:44:18 Speaker_01
It is said that she has been around since life first appeared. Here, in England, or the world entire. Some see her as a god, while others, a blight upon this world. A disease, an infection that spreads across the land sent from the stars.

00:44:48 Speaker_01
She is far more powerful than I, but like me, feels a pull to the children. Unlike myself, she seeks them before their demise and twists their minds, creating disciples. She infects them, raising them as her own, bestowing her gifts upon them.

00:45:20 Speaker_01
At least while she wears this face, Gifts. Her disciples are given tremendous power through their connection to her. Sharing a greater consciousness. Sharing a mind. Mother Darkness sees... What her disciples see. Fuck. And more.

00:45:45 Speaker_01
A piece of her lay within each disciple. Their physical forms interconnected. But she is a physical form. Right? Yes. And though more than human, she shares many of the same needs. She must constantly feed.

00:46:08 Speaker_01
So much so, her disciples often propagate flesh for themselves and her. Flesh? The maggots! Any flesh. Any living creature. Alright, well... Then... So how? How? Well, how do I stop her? She cannot be killed by normal weapons.

00:46:41 Speaker_01
And even if you did manage to destroy Mother Darkness, it would only bring about her true form. Her true form? Jesus! Dammit! An owl. Yes, yes. A friend, actually. We ran into him when we first arrived. Sorry. You were saying? I have told you your truth.

00:47:10 Speaker_01
There must be more! Please! Please, there must be more. Can her true form be killed? At all? You said not by normal weapons, but... But is it any weapon? He's standing up. Do you have such an item? Not a normal weapon? Balamb? He stands before the fire.

00:47:35 Speaker_01
Thank you for allowing me to join your fire. You're welcome. And thank you, not just for this information, but for letting me know that my daughter is with me. He nods solemnly. He's turning around to leave. He stopped.

00:48:09 Speaker_01
It is not a matter of if she will find you, but when. Mother Darkness is not like other such beings. She has not slept, nor is waiting in some deep tomb for the stars to come right. She is active now, and has always been. How do we escape her?

00:48:42 Speaker_01
I do not know. I see. His eyes fall upon us one last time. The different colors now clear with the orange of the firelight at more of a distance. Be careful of him. He is not what he seems. He? Yorick. Farewell. Farewell. He's gone.

00:49:22 Speaker_01
Disappeared into the darkness from once he came. The orc is not what he seems. He's not to be trusted. Should I take him out of the- No! No! Leave him in the bag for the night. The quiet is nice. Yes. It is. You okay? Are you smiling? She's with us, John.

00:50:06 Speaker_01
She never left. Yes. Well, anyway. It's quite the campfire. Quite. Different than those knights in the boys' brigade, I imagine. Drastically. I suppose we should head to bed here. Just a little longer. I'd like to watch the firelight die. Okay.

00:50:52 Speaker_01
William, by the way. That was his name. My first real friend. William.

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