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A Living Dynasty, Chapter Four: Helga's Team
A/N: After months of hiatus and troubles with the doc, I present thee, the fourth chapter!
Summary: With war close to Henriette's doors, she must prepare for the storm ahead
OCs featured: None
OCs mentioned: None
Word Count: 2.1k
Tagging: @hphmmatthewluther @camillejeaneshphm @gaygryffindorgal @that-scouse-wizard
The man gaped at me before recomposing himself and nodded âRight away, my lady.â
After a few minutes, he was back, and took me to the queenâs room, where she was doing needlework. I quickly got on my knees, my eyes fixed on a floor carving as I spoke âYour Majesty, I thank you for receiving me in such circumstances. Your kindness knows no bounds.â
I felt her smiling at me âStand, my dear. We are among friends, are we not?â
I stood up and sighed âI am glad that you are not angry at me, Your Majesty.â
She motioned me to sit âFor not marrying that orc? Heavens, no! Though, do keep this to yourself. The King is still⊠you knowâŠâ
I nodded. I finally smiled âI have missed you, dear friend. How are my parents? And the court?â
The queen shrugged âYour parents have been looking for you, well, mostly your mother. Your father has taken a mistress in order to procreate a male son should you turn up dead.â
I scoffed, brushing off the sting in my heart. But of course, heâd replace his biggest disappointment. A mere girl was no use of him anyways. Aelfgifu took my hands and squeezed them, and I tried not to cry âI miss my mother, but⊠I canât return now.â
âWhat shall I tell them then?â
I squared my shoulders. As much as Iâd chat with my oldest friend for days, there was a mission at hand âThat I am fine, and in good hands. But I did not come to talk about my parents. This is bigger than them.â
âGo on.â
I swallowed âHave you ever been told about the wizards in the Isles?â
Aelfgifu looked at me âYes⊠Most of them are at my kingâs service, as well as my lord father.â She then seemed to realise âHenriette, my dear, what have you gotten yourself into?â
I bit my lip âI⊠am one of them, it seems.â
Aelfgifuâs grip softened as she looked at me, searching for something: a laugh, a joke, something. Then, she dismissed her ladies and squeezed my hands âHenriette⊠you do realise what happens if you get caught, yes? I wonât be able to stop Aethelredâs wrath if he ever finds out.â
âThat is why I need your help. Not only to hide it, but with something else. As queen of the land, wizards and people are killing one another for the mere greed of a few lords I know you despise. Magic or not, they are your subjects, and they need you.â
The queen bit her lip âWhat would you have me do?â
âTalk to the king. Tell him the horrors of civil war, especially with magic around. There could be some great damage, and the court would be divided. The consequences could be fatal. Seek a punishment that needs not to draw blood unnecessarily.â
Aelfgifu sighed, nodding âVery well, I shall see what I can do. But my dear, keep yourself out of harmâs way. You are new to this, and of delicate constitution. Iâd hate to bury you.â
We hugged, and I knew that I had to go back to Helga âI need to go now. My master is waiting for me.â
âIs he at least kind?â
ââŠSheâs wonderful.â
With that, we bid goodbye and I left as quickly as I had come, paying the guard a handsome reward for not telling that I had been there at all.
Then, I was off back to the Highlands.
When I reached the camp, there were already tents and warriors of all gender and kind talking and joking.
I spotted Godric and greeted him âAh, there you are! I suppose you have news of the queen. Come, I shall take you with Helga.â
âThank you, my lord.â
When we reached Helgaâs golden tent, Godric cried âGuess who came back!â
Helga looked up and sighed, embracing me âI am so glad you made it back! Oh, there is so much I must tell you about!â
âIndeed,â Godric added âthe Thaneâs feast was incredibly eventful.â
Helga side-eyed him, and he cleared his throat and was out of the tent, leaving us be. I frowned âWhat feast?â
âThat is for later. So, what did the queen say?â She asked, motioning me to sit as we ate from what she normally cooked. I took a bite of pork as I started telling her about the meeting, and skipped telling her about my parents and my father seeking a male replacement. It was humiliating enough to hear it from the queen and my oldest friend already. What Helga didnât know, couldnât hurt her, right?
Readying myself in war gear, but without wearing an armour, since I was not prepared enough, I sighed, knowing this battle would be hard to go through. I had heard tales from my father fighting for the king, and of course, my warrior grandparents, but this was different. And highly terrifying. I realised now that, were I want to defend my property, Iâd be helpless.
So obviously, I went to the greatest warrior for advice. âAhem. Lord Gryffindor?â
Kind Godric smiled upon seeing me âAh, Lady Henriette! Anything I can help you with?â
I bit my lip âThis is a bit embarrassing but⊠do you know anyone whoâd train me for battle? I wonât be in the front lines, but Iâd like to know the basics at least.â
âWhy, of course! I also happen to know a formidable warrior. Luxia, beloved, come here!â He called.
A beautiful and fierce-looking woman came towards us. She had black hair, impassive brown eyes and a powerful and imposing armour that was richly decorated with a bloody red cape. She arched an eyebrow and Godric explained âThis is Lady Henriette of Wessex. Sheâs in need of a trainer, and I know youâll make of her a fine defender. Do be nice to her, darling.â
âVery well.â She kissed Godric on the lips and turned to me âCome, my lady. I know the movements that a delicate-looking woman like you can pull off without breaking any bones.â
Not exactly encouraging, but she was Godricâs best, so I was stuck with her. She continued talking âYou may need a helmet, and a better-tied hair. I shall call my groomer for it. And better boots. Those will sink you in the mud before you can say âAmenâ.â She observed one of the newer farmers who had joined the ranks recently. He was handsome, with short blonde hair, blue eyes and an innocent look âYou there! Blonde boy! Tuck your thumb inside your palm or youâll break your hand. Also, separate more your legs or youâll be easily thrown.â Then, she turned to me âSpeaking of stances. Weâll start with the basics. First, stand firm, and separate your legs.â I did as she said, and she nodded âNot bad. Plant your feet a bit firmer to the ground. Good. Now, as I told blondie over there, tuck your thumb inside your palm and widen your shoulders. Like that! Now, try to punch me.â
Not wanting to look weak or hesitant, I did as she told me, but she was faster, blocking my punch and kicking my feet. I fell straight to the ground and a yelped. Luxia got close to me âTwo mistakes, my lady. One, your legs were too widened. Two, you did not observe my stance. Get up and weâll go through it again.â
I did as she said, refusing to prove my father right, gritting my teeth. She was so good and straight-forward, it was quite infuriating. It infuriated me that I was so helpless. If only my father had been like hers, Iâd be telling you a different story.
âNow, to the stance I taught you, but this time, observe me and my movements. Seek any weakness, and learn my strength.â We rounded each other, and I observed that, while her stance was flawless and firm, she was incredibly tense, given her breaths. Thatâs when the idea came. Iâd pretend to punch her in the face, while elbowing her ribcage.
Observing how the other warriors spun for a moment, I pretended to commit that mistake, but this time, my stance was right and firm, and I spun gracefully, elbowing her in the chest hard. She stumbled back a few paces, coughing and shocked. Everyone stopped to see the commotion. She didnât seem like the kind of woman to be trounced by a newbie. The whispers told me that.
âNever have I seen someone trounce Luxia Thorne so easily!â
âEven Lady Thorne seems shocked!â
Luxia arched an eyebrow at me and laughed âNot bad, mâlady. Being observant in battle shall save you.â
âFighting isnât only throwing punches. It requires cunning and thinking on your feet.â We both turned to see Lady Rowena with her new apprentice. She turned to me âLady Thorne is all about brute force, and while that is helpful, without said qualities, one is bound to fall in battle. You did well, Lady Henriette.â
âThank you, my lady.â
âI⊠shall keep your counsel in mind, my lady. Now, shall we go over offensive spells?â
I nodded, and both went over some defensive spells you might have learned by now. We might have even set one tent on fire because of said spells.
âBut wait,â Primrose cut, âthose spells are technically harmless. I train with dummies and nothing of the sort ever happened.â
âThat is because magic ran more wildly in my time than in yours, child. It was volatile, and unpredictable. During those times, it was raw and uncontrolled. Many liberties were taken. Nothing was regulated or heavily studied like now. Very few mages could have the privilege to take a hold of their own magic.â
âWere you? One of the lucky ones?â
âYes, as were my children. This was the reason why Hogwarts would be founded later. To help mages all over England and its isles to harness their power and have a certain grip on it.â
Prim stood silent for one moment. She had always heard the story of how the founders came together and built Hogwarts, but never the reasons that led them to build it. The price of it. The lives they had lost before they decided to come together and build it.
But she could now know it. Squaring her shoulders, she nodded âGo on. What happened afterwards?â
âHistorians were right on one thing. I didnât fight any battles physically, but my duties werenât completely useless. Indeed, I was Helgaâs representative on the diplomatic talks, which many forget to mention.â
âHowâd that go?â
âWell⊠we didnât start with the right foot if Iâm being honest.â
âYou know what?â I said, panting âI donât think Iâm made for the fighting.â I was breathing heavily, exhausted by the whole training. Luxia shifted.
âI was afraid Iâd have to say it. Iâd hate to see you killed on the battlefield, my lady.â
âThere must be something I can do. Iâm going to talk to Helga.â
Nodding to one another goodbye, I marched over Helgaâs tent, and decisively raised my chin âMy lady, I ask you to please give me a non-warring role. There must be something I can do that doesnât require me to use a sword.â
Helga looked at me, then sat there, pensive, until a deliver boy came in, panting âMy lady, Iâm afraid your diplomat has been assassinated by Lord Leofric.â
âWhat?! I needed him to sit with the lords and the rebels and trace out a peace treaty!â
Suddenly, it struck me âWait, hold on. Lord Leofric, as in Lord Leofric of East Anglia?â The boy nodded âI know him! Me and his daughters grew up together. That man loves war and bloodshed more than anything.â I turned to Helga, who eyed me curiously âI know each of the men whoâll be at the table, as well as their weaknesses. Send me, Helga. Let me draw the peace. Someone whoâs familiar with both sides is what you need.â
Helga caught up silently, and smiled widely âVery well, Lady Henriette. Have it your way. You shall sit with Lady Rowena representing a neutral side and bring us a potential peace. I shall tell her the news.â
Together, we formed a plan: since I wasnât the favourite of the court right now, Iâd go there in disguise until the talks started under the name Senator Gemi. When the talks begun, Iâd reveal myself and theyâd have to listen to me, despite my reputation. In the meantime, Iâd write to the queen so sheâd use her influence to sway the rest of the court⊠and the king.
Itâd be a tough fight for peace, but I was more than ready to prove to those old men that I was more than a marriage broodmare. Â
#hp founders era#hogwarts founders era#hogwarts founders#oc: henriette of wessex#helga hufflepuff#oc: luxia thorne#godric gryffindor#a living dynasty#mywriting*
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There's just something so fascinating about the way the Exandrian pantheon has decided to handle the Aeor Situationâą - by electing a few of their kind to be born as mortals in order to infiltrate the city.
The first to bring herself low was Ioun, and I can only imagine how lonely that must have been for her. To feel infinite wisdom creeping into her adolescent mind? To rise through Aeor's ranks knowing what they'd do to her if the authorities discovered the truth of her existence? Waiting, hoping, perhaps even praying that the other gods would follow through with the plan.
Sarenrae has a husband and children as Trist. I can't help but consider the parallels to Liliana Temult, with a 'higher calling' pulling a mother away from her family. The conversations in the temple suggest that she would have been aware of what she was by the time she started her family. Yet she loves them, cherishes them, even knowing that she might not see them again. Will Amaris, Haylie, and Topher learn that Trist is a goddess? Or will that only be discovered when they find their way to her realm in Elysium?
The Matron was once mortal, and she willingly returned to that form in order to help her newfound siblings dismantle the Aeorian threat. Her steward since childhood was Purvan, helping raise and guide her despite his old age. Imagine being a little girl, guarded by the Champion of Ravens himself and his wolven companion, completely unaware of your own divinity until later in life. Imagine the night she woke up, remembering her ascendency, seeing Purvan and recognising him.
And what of the families that gave birth to and raised the four Betrayer Gods? What of the halfling family who watched their precocious daughter scale a fence with far too much ease than it should be? The day the tortle's parents found him crying in pain and tearing at his skin to distract himself from a memory so distant and yet so real? Or Milo, who became a priest, not to follow in the light of the Dawnfather (like his parents may have thought), but to mock his brother even as a mortal?
These gods spent entire childhoods with families and friends, taking refuge from the skirmishes caused by their other siblings. Who, despite those similarities, have very different opinions of humanity, of Aeor, and themselves.
#it's late but i'm in my feels about this#like i thought it was mildly depressing how dynasty kids wake up one day with dreams of their old lives#but imagine realising you're a god in the body of a 15-year-old boy and you need to find your siblings so you can infiltrate a hostile city#critical role#critical role spoilers#cr spoilers#cr meta#exu downfall#cr downfall#the prime deities#betrayer gods#ioun#the knowing mistress#arcadia#sarenrae#the everlight#cr trist#the matron of ravens#cr emhira#asmodeus#the lord of the hells#milo cowst#the spider queen#umleta
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tlgad has made a return to the eras tour
#taylor swift#the eras tour#speak now#speak now taylorâs version#folklore#ours#the last great american dynasty#live audio
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You know what's hilarious, if Ludinus was indeed a young man being traumatized by the end of the Calamity. Deirta Thelyss is almost certainly older than he is.
This is not relevant but I think Essek should bring this up, just to be a bitch about it.
#for the purposes of showing my work: a beacon was found by leylas kryn 1200 years ago.#she was considered enough of a cultural leader or influence to convince people to follow her ergo likely an adult of some standing.#the other umavi of the ruling dens (aka deirta and abrianna) are suggested to have been around at the time as well#ludinus would be at most 1000 years old. they're all like. at LEAST 1400 mentally if not physically.#and that's the LOW estimate#as always how long was the calamity. are the umavi actually pre-calamity. that would be SO funny to me.#(pre-calamity and pre-divergence are different for the record.)#ludinus da'leth ain't SHIT#leylas kryn escaped lolth lived through the calamity and has gone through seven rebirths. ludinus WISHES#if ANYONE deserves to have beef with lolth it's leylas kryn for the record. I mean she does. canonically. BUT HERS IS MOST VALID#anyway as always the dynasty best country <3#if there are 99 ludinus haters I'm one of them if there's one it's me if there are none I've left this earth etc etc#he's just SO fun to hate and I do not respect him in the slightest nor do I think he deserves respect or validation.#I think he should get fucking sucked into a dark star and never be heard from again xoxo :3#cr spoilers#essek thelyss
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imagine what I could get done if I slept more than 4 hours a night
#hi#me#my face#selfie#penguin socks#hockey is stressing me OUT#so are 36 other things#girls with tattoos#girls who lift#cute girl#pretty people#I bought a jumpsuit and it is so comfy I'm in love#now it is a hassle when it's time to pee but like#i can live with that#happy weekend#ya girl is exhausted#send help#tranquilize me capn#anyway#be my friend#let's analyze the end of the Romanov dynasty together shall we#I have lots to say#wombats#message me#i love yall#love me#if you're reading this choose a nail color#hot girl shit#later taters
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im normal about lien i promise
#temeraire#yellow draws#prince yongxing#lien#lien my babyy my everythinggg#wiki says the half shave-half plaited hairstyel was popular in late wing dynasty and frankly i have no clue where to set about finding#detailed resources specifically on court wear and hairstyles in chinese history that cover everything i wanna know to. draw temeraire fanar#with some measure of accuracy LMFAO so yall just gotta live with.. that generic looking fitâŠ. google showed me images of a robe so i was#like hm maybe ill put that on yongxing so i did but IF ANYONE HAS ANYTHING ON LATE QING DYNASTY COURT WEAR HMU
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On this day in history, August 12th, two thousand and fifty four years ago, Cleopatra VII, the last active ruler of Ancient Egypt, committed suicide.
Eleven days previously, her husband Marc Antony had already done the same. The couple had been engaged in a civil war against Octavian, the great nephew of Julius Caesar who had been declared his legal heir. During the final battle in Alexandria, Antony suffered serious desertions among his troops and lost the fight. Upon his return, he falsely heard Cleopatra had killed herself and fell on his sword.
After Antonyâs death, Octavian arrived in Egypt and effectively took Cleopatra and her children by Antony prisoner. She had sent her eldest son Caesarion, her only living child with Caesar, away for his own safety. She knew that Octavian planned for her to march in chains behind his chariot during his triumph parade, and would very likely have her killed afterwards. Rather than suffer such humiliations and indignity, she chose to take her own life.
Popular history and mythology leads us to believe that she was killed by inducing an asp to bite her, after having locked herself in her mausoleum with her two handmaidens. However, many modern scholars believe that she instead took a mixture of poisons, since the venom of an asp does not cause a quick or painless death. Octavian and his men found her too late to do anything, Cleopatra was already dead and one handmaiden, Iras, was nearly dead on the floor. The second, Charmian, was straightening the Queenâs diadem. According to legend, one of the men asked if this was well done of her mistress, and she shot back âVery well done, as befitting the descendant of so many noble Kings,â before collapsing and dying herself.
Upon her death, Octavian honoured Cleopatraâs wish to be buried in her mausoleum at Antonyâs side. He took her children with Antony, the twins Cleopatra Selene and Alexander Helios, along with their younger brother, Ptolemy Philadelphus, to Rome with him as prisoners of sorts. They were fated to march in his triumph parade in their motherâs place, the chains so heavy they could hardly walk. After this they were given to Octavianâs sister Octavia, who had been Antonyâs third wife, to look after.
Cleopatraâs son with Caesar, Caesarion, was nominally sole ruler of Egypt after his motherâs death. Eleven days after her suicide, he was found after being lured back to Alexandria under false pretenses of being allowed to rule in his motherâs place. Octavian ordered his murder, on advice that âTwo Caesar were too many.â
With Cleopatraâs death, and Caesarionâs subsequent murder, the rule of the Ptolemaic Dynasty came to an end and Egypt became a mere Roman Province.
#cleopatra#cleopatra vii#ancient egypt#ptolemaic dynasty#ancient rome#long live the queue#fuck you octavian
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love you seven times (2023) : appreciation post | xiang yun / cang hai costumes
#love you seven times#äžæ¶ćç„„#yang chaoyue#cdrama#cdramagifs#hanfu#appreciation post#mine#edit#fashion#she's like a living doll#so beautiful#girl crush#lyst has the best costumes for all 2023 costumes drama imo#or maybe i'm biased since i love tang dynasty clothing lol#i absolutely love her heavenly realm looks#probably one of my favs#i love her looks in all her lives#chinese actors#costume drama
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I personally think the Nox aren't naturally grey. Overexposure to colloidal silver makes you bluish grey
And the Nox of the eternal cities make heavy use of silver tears. I don't think it's unreasonable to think it's turned them grey
The ancestral followers are *also* grey, which to me seems to point to it being an environmental factor, and if it is the silver tears (or whatever process produces them) I can only assume it's not a contamination limited to the cities themselves.
#elden ring#nox#eternal cities#The followers at Uhl complicate things a bit but perhaps the silver is an ancient dynasty creation and the ruins are polluted?#or perhaps the followers aren't relevant at all. I just find it weird that everyone who lives along the Siofra and Aisel are grey
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Just imaging Vesper in hanfu <3
#These are Qiyao Ruqun style of hanfu if my googling is correct?#I also feel fairly confident that the bottom two are Wei/Jin dynasty style. The rest are more modern-style recreations I believe!!#They were labeled as Han Dynasty but they look much more similar to Wei/Jin from the references I was using. But!! Obv I'm not an expert#(Realistically if Vesper were to wear traditional clothing it would be a Kimono since she lives in the Empire-#-whose traditional clothing and such are Japanese inspired! But since she's Lanapteran who are Chinese inspired I like to imagine her in-#-hanfu as well. She was raised completely isolated from ANY culture so she never got the chance to experience it.)#Vesper tag
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Dramatic Twenty-eight Constellation Figurines From The Jade Emperor Temple
Twenty-eight Constellations (äșćć
«æćźż) provided an inexhaustible source of inspiration for Chinese religious art of the Song and Yuan dynasties. Such images are characterized by amazing expressiveness. Something you can never unsee.)
These samples date back to the Yuan dynasty. The statues are on display in the Jade Emperor Temple (ççć»), located in Jincheng (æć), Shanxi.
The temple itself and the main hall were erected during the Northern Song dynasty. These stunning clay figures appeared a bit later and remained there during all subsequent architectural expansions and transformations.
Photo: ©äżç”-
#ancient china#chinese culture#chinese art#chinese mythology#taoist magic#yuan dynasty#jade emperor#taoism#taoist practices#taoist sorcery#taoist#chinese miniatures#clay sculpting#sculpt#sculpture#sculpture art#clay art#clay#ceramic art#pottery#religious art#chinese temple#taoist temple#sculptures#statues#living statue#statue#daoism#chinese astrology#astrology
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A Living Legacy, Chapter Two: The Beginning of All
A/N: After a few months of not updating, I have finally completed the second chapter! With this chapter, I officially say goodbye to August and my summer. Enjoy!!
Summary: Henriette learns of a new world ... and a few things about herself
OCs featured: Changeling Betwixt @hphmmatthewluther
Warnings: There is a scene where a poor girl is burned at the stake and mature themes are explored, reader's discretion is advised
Word Count: 1.8k
Tagging: @hphmmatthewluther @camillejeaneshphm @gaygryffindorgal @that-scouse-wizard
I shook my head. Could it be possible? âMe?!â I cried âAâA witch?!â
Helga nodded, a wide smile on her face âWhy, yes!â
This was surreal, I thought. I must be dreaming, right? I told myself. But I was not dreaming âYou do not remember anything, do you?â Helga inquired.
I searched in my head any plausible explanation, and while drinking more water, a sudden image came into my mind.
I was back in that alley, and the best men were surrounding me. I closed my eyes and screamed. They all fell backwards. Everything shook. And then someone took me. Could I truly couldâve done something so incredible without barely even trying?
âBut,â I rebutted âmagicâs not real. It is a tale to scare misbehaving children.â
Helga smiled bemused while she shook that stick again âThen what is this, my lady?â Sparks of pure golden flew and I gasped. I shook my head. Was she playing tricks with me? Was this a prank by my betrothed? âMagic is real, my love. You may not see it, but it is there. Among us. In your blood. You may be lost now, but once you get the hang of it, trust me, no one will do that again.â
âIâI cannot be a witch. I shall be burnt alive!â I cried.
âNot if youâre smart about it.â Helga said, with that amiable smile that must win many, many hearts.
1897
âWait,â Primrose blurted, notebook in hand âI thought the witch-hunts started in Salem in the 17th century.â
Henriette chuckled âThose are the most famous, yes. But there have always been witch hunts. It definitely increased over those times. Some were not recorded, but there were. I, Helga, Rowena, and their female allies were always at risk, because witchcraft in women was viewed as a threat.â
âBecause witchcraft means freedom, independence, knowledge, and the men do not want that in us.â
Henriette smiled âWhat a delightfully insightful young girl. You shall go far in life, my dear.â
âAnd did you ever? Almost got burned at the stake, I mean.â
The blonde woman shook her head âNo. But I got to witness them. Such ghastly thing. I am glad that your people are beyond that and just spurn them socially.â
âWhen did you witness such a thing?â Primrose asked.
âThat same day. My first day in an unseen England.â
Helga and I walked through the murky and sandy streets, not yet paved, observing everything. Some people talked and traded goods and food, and others duelled with said sticks, which Helga told me were wands.
âIf magic is real,â I hesitated âdoes Merlin, Arthur, Camelot and those fantastic tales exist?â
âThey did. It has been a century since the happenings, but we have him very present in our lives. Many try to match him, but it is quite impossible, you see. Not even I compared with my dearest friends can stand a chance together against him. Consider him our Charlemagne.â
âPapa told me we descend from him and one of his mistresses.â
Helga smiled âLucky girl. You must be veneered back home.â
I bit my lip âMany of my kind descend from him. He had quite the impact in our livelihood.â
It was true. Many could trace their lineage back to Charlemagne or Roman emperors, it was almost a question of blood supremacy and who got the better lineage. My family was only a minor Saxon noble family who got lucky after a mistress of Charlemagne, after having her firstborn son with him, married with his permission and settled in east Wessex. Many others descended from the Romans and even the very first kings of our country. Compared to them, we were just average nobility.
âOh, Lord,â Helga breathed as I, too, heard the cries for help. From a woman, as many others cheered.
âWe ought to go. Now!â Helga whispered, but I was not sure.
âWe must aid her! Do I smell smoke?â I followed the scent, until it took me to a crowd of people. Many roared as a woman walked on her chemise, crying that she was not guilty and the horror on my heart when I saw that she was younger than I.
âBurn the witch!â One man cried.
âKill that bitch!â Another cried.
âWe donât want abominations in our land!â One woman with a child cried as well.
My blood ran cold as I realised, they were burning her under the accusations of witchcraft.
âPlease!â The girl cried âI am innocent! I am but a poor healer! Mama! Papa!â
I looked in her directions as their parents cried, helplessness in their eyes as a bishop blessed her before he lit the bonfire. I couldnât help but look in pure horror. I was paralysed. All I could see and hear were that poor girlâs screams, piercing through my ears and heart, wrenching it in a thousand pieces.
Before I could do anything, a soft but firm hand took me out of there and into a small pubâit was Helga, saving me from the terrors yet again. She had a knowing and sad face in her eyes âNow you see why you must be careful, dear. Especially being a woman of range. They will eat you alive, no hesitation.â
I nodded. I knew what she meant, deep down. Wiping my tears, I sighed and Helga asked for some water, and I nearly swallowed whole the pint. Not my most ladylike moment, if you ask me.
After that, Helga and I decided to talk more about what weâd do.
âBut, wait,â Primrose asked, seeming confused âwhat did you exactly knew? That theyâd burn you as a witch?â
The portrait sighed âSo much more, my love. You see, wizards like Merlin are revered and worshipped by muggles and wizards alike, but when it comes to Hecate, Morgana, Nimue and many other famous witches and even women accused of witches, the situation changes. They are evil, petty, ugly, and a menace to mankind. Magic is always seen as this enormous responsibility, burden and responsibility. And men canât conceive a woman being able to harness such power within them. To them, we are still unreasonable, meek and with a childish mindset, unable to undertake such responsibility. To them, we are not worthy of it. And thus, punish us by injuring our pride and personalities, twisting the story to give future generations of women the same message.â
âKnow your place.â Primrose ended. A shadow had crossed the young woman, now fully aware of what Henriette was saying âI canât tell how many times Iâve been told that I ought to marry a man of rank for me to be taken seriously as a future heiress. It is the only way to be heard: to have a man backing you, or to give up such privileges in order to not insult his ego, regardless of our pride and rights. We may have advanced, but,â
âThe customs and those in power have not.â Henriette chuckled bitterly âThis is the problem with the wizarding community. We never learn the lesson. We never advance. No matter what hero comes to save us and open our eyes, they will be immediately shut down and forced to take your position in this unmoving and unfair society. The history book on our shelves keeps repeating itself, no matter what we try to do. If those capable of changing the ways donât enhance their campaign, then we will never advance nor learn the lesson, no matter how many of us we bury.â
âWhen did you find out all of this?â
Henriette lighted up again âPretty quickly.â
âHow so?â
She smiled ââŠSomeone from the outside helped me see their way.â
Helga and I walked away from the commotion, hidden in our cloaks and looking like lost tourists from the highlands. By then, the House of Alpin reigned in rather turbulent times. As many knows, my eldest daughter Denegifu would marry on that country, but that is a tale for another time.
After making sure weâd lost them, I realised we had exited the capital and would be walking towards a cove. Not used to walking much, and still with my wedding shoes, I panted heavily, my feet hurting.
âDo not fret, sweetling, we shall soon arrive to somewhere comfortable.â
I nodded. I had no option but to trust that she wasnât exaggerating to comfort me. After reaching its darkest part, she waited a bit, and finally, a strange voice called out âWhy, Lady Hufflepuff, how kind of you to honour me with your venerable presence,â the tone had some irony to it.
She curtsied respectfully, and I did the same easily, thanks to the hours of training with Mama.
âYour Highness. I am aware that you are busy, but we must make use of your Portkey.â
Finally, the hooded figure stepped into the light, and I couldnât help but gasp and back away: it had black eyes and their hair was white, as well as their skin, and had an amused look âWhat mess have you dragged yourself with your kindness, Helga?â
âMy new apprentice, Lady Henriette of Wessex.â
I quickly curtsied again âForgive me if we have disturbed your peace, Your Highness. We shall be on our way soon.â
Their eyes loomed over me, as if they were analysing me, then looked at Helga âAnother Muggle, I take?â
âExcuse me?â I blurted out before I could process it.
âIt is a term to reference those who had grown up outside the magical world.â Helga quickly explained.
âBesides,â Betwixt added âI am not the one to insult beautiful ladies Iâve just met. If so, I should be offended.â He was surely teasing me.
âForgive me for my ignorance.â
They waved a hand âItâs alright, love. You couldnât have known. By your looks, itâs been less than three days in this world. But something tells me that you shall learn.â
âI shall make Lady Hufflepuff proud.â
The Portkey opened and Helga gave the creature a bag of silver coins âI shall not forget this favour, Your Highness.â
We both passed through the Portkey and, when the journey was over, we found ourselves in a tower. If I looked hard enough, I could see other three towers a few days away. Helga turned around and smiled âWelcome to my home! And your home until your parents finds you, which should take a while.â
It was a tower of gold and orange, in which many animals and many other servants and magicians practising. It was full of life, of laughter and joy. But for a moment, my gut told me that it was too good to be true, and keep my guard for a little longer.
Tragically, I was right, for Iâd find out that a war was brewing.
#hp founders era#hogwarts founders era#hogwarts founders#oc: henriette of wessex#helga hufflepuff#betwixt the changeling#a living dynasty#mywriting*
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Because I have Joseon Pride and Prejudice on the brain, have some doodles of the cast reimagined:
the dissociating Mr Bennet and the frazzled Mrs Bennet
the cold and aloof Mr Darcy
and the heroine of our story, Miss Elizabeth Bennet
#Iâm horrible at trying to figure out Korean names so anyone whoâs good at that hmu#there is absolutely no joseon era reimagining of p&p and thatâs just tragic#they even overlap in timeframe and thereâs a peasantâs rebellion that happens in 1812 (same year as p&p)#which could merit military(aka the regiments) presence in some town where lives a retired scholar his excitable wife and his five daughters#pride and prejudice#mr bennet#mrs bennet#mr darcy#fitzwilliam darcy#elizabeth bennet#joseon dynasty#my art#i love throwing different timeframes/cultures at classic lit stories lmao#Iâm gonna try to do wickham lady catherine and mr collins in a few days when I have time#joseon pride and prejudice
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happy birthday folklore!!!!!!!!!!
#taylor swift#the eras tour#folklore#red#red taylorâs version#the last great american dynasty#tlgad#run#live audio
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Roman Statues and Figurines In An Egyptian Style, 100 to 200 CE, Roman Period of Egypt, Liverpool World Museum
Pictured are Roman Dignitary As An Egyptian Priest, Roman Woman In An Egyptian Style As Household Or Garden Ornament, Man Walking In An Egyptian Style
#Roman#egypt#Egyptian#romans#archaeology#ancient cultures#ancient living#ancient crafts#reappropriation#style#figure#statue#symbols#dynasty
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sdljkdsfjajlk JUST realized that killing off all the other archdragons not only clears the field for a true renewal with Zym but also conveniently removes everyone who could have told the rest of the cast anything useful about the last time Aaravos was stopped
#i was so caught up in the exhilaration of a new dynasty#that i forgot we live in a world where zubeia never explained anything#tdp spoilers#the dragon prince spoilers#s7 spoilers
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