Invocatus Rex, Part I: Xavier, Chapter VI

[smwright.livejournal.com]

Title: Invocatus Rex, Xavier, Chapter VI
Fandom: Original Fiction, The Witch War Histories, Vol. III
Prompt: #39 Intertia
For: by Taming the Muse
Warnings: Moderate Xavier angst.
Rating: PG-ish
Summary: The group arrives in Llanfarcan and makes plans to gather information on Sylvie's sword. Meanwhile, Xavier manages a clue for them, and Kincaid continues his mysterious behavior. Sylvie and Gavin argue the merits of myth versus history.
Word Count: 5,462
A/N: Ongoing story, in chronological order, here.
A/N2: Unbeta’ed this week to give meredevachon a much needed break while she takes care of some family issues. *big hug*

Some comments on this chapter: (Haven’t had to do this in awhile. *g*) This chapter makes mention of ‘the renegade witch.’ This is someone whose presence was keenly felt in Triplex Coniunctio, the first book in the series. Not much is known of her other than she is female, a direct ancestor of Sylvie’s grandfather Ambrus, and left the Dark Coven sometime in the 1700s. She didn’t appear in any of Declan’s writings; so, I thought it better to go ahead and comment on her here. Also, with this chapter, those mystical tattoos should begin to make a lot more sense… especially Sylvie’s. I didn’t plan them that way just for the hell of it! Finally, I cannot believe we’re already up to Chapter Six of Xavier’s part! We’re just about to take a nosedive…

And if I might be so bold as to make a listening suggestion. The Tournament from the Tristan & Isolde soundtrack would make a lovely backdrop to Kincaid's little after dinner adventure. Fortunately, I have few scruples when it comes to sharing amongst friends. You can 'borrow' it here.

---

---

This chapter has been moved, along with all prior chapters, to my LJ, where they're located in chronological order in the IR section of my memories.

Comments

[sparrow2000.livejournal.com]

You must have just rubbed your hands in glee when you saw this weeks prompt!

I love that Gavin is so perceptive about Xavier's feelings re the division of the rooms and how difficult things are for him. And also for supporting him in his leap of intuition about the renegade witch. It obviously gave Xavier the strength to tell his theory to the others with more confidence.

I think the thing I really like about Xavier is that he is so unashamedly human amongst all these people of power. The combination of jealousy and respect for Kincaid that you talk about is a perfect illustration of his nature.Of course he believes that he would have handled the situation with Jonah and Sylive differently. Doesn't mean he would have handled it better.

Fascinating thoughts about the interactions between myth and history. Caerleon, Glastonbury, Tintagel - all names which resonate with us - but it doesn't mean that any of the things we would like to think happened there, actually did. But it's lovely to close your eyes and imagine.

And the dragon is stirring. Because of Caerleon, and the talk of dead British knights who some people think should have been king - I can't help having the name Uther come into my head. I probably read to much Arthurian fiction!

Another great chapter, love. Keep 'em coming!

[smwright.livejournal.com]

You must have just rubbed your hands in glee when you saw this weeks prompt!
We do get lucky every once in a while!

Xavier is... different, and you've hit upon many of the likeable reasons why that's so. It is enjoyable exploring him from this perspective, because who among us doesn't like to break a man slowly and with incredible pain? Especially one who withstands it so well.

all names which resonate with us - but it doesn't mean that any of the things we would like to think happened there, actually did. But it's lovely to close your eyes and imagine.
Sylvie's point exactly. *g* Odd that Gavin refuses to see it that way, but then, he's always been so focused on getting her to where she is that he didn't have time for fairy tales.

And the dragon is stirring. - I can't help having the name Uther come into my head.
You know, I really struggled over putting that thing on his back 5 years ago. That Sylvie should get the merlin was a given, but how to justify the dragon? I had a hard time equating Kincaid with Uther, and that's the obvious parallel to draw. I still don't (equate him with Uther) in anything other than brute force, but I figure anyone associated with that house would wear its emblem. Or that's what I tell myself.

And speaking of Arthurian fiction, 1) have you read Jack Whyte's series, and 2) specifically, have you read his Uther? You really should. If not, read them, but read them in order, including Uther.

[sparrow2000.livejournal.com]

No I haven't read Jack Whyte. I'll keep a look out. I went through a phase of reading Arthurian fiction a number of years ago, but it finally faltered when I started John Cowper Powys' A Glastonbury Romance, and just couldn't get into it. God knows, I've tried, but it kind of drowned my enthusiasm for the subject for a while.

However, while I was clearing out my Dad's house I found a copy of Arthur and the Lost Kingdom by Alistair Moffat. It's a non fiction with the really interesting premise that the reason no one can find Arthur is because they're looking in the wrong place. He comes from Kelso and his theory is that Arthur country is actually the Borders and Southern Scotland. It's a thought that's very appealing to me, so I must have a read of it when I get the time.
But I will have a look out for the Jack Whyte books. Recs are always the best way of finding new authors.

[smwright.livejournal.com]

Recs are always the best way of finding new authors.

Agreed. The Whyte books are fascinating. He's actually a Scot himself who lives/writes in Canada. On faculty somewhere I believe. His idea was to tell the story w/o the magic and the myth, a post-Romano Britain in the late 5th - early 6th century. The first book is heavily militaristic; so, it might be a bit of drudgery, but the rest of the series is marvellous. I should warn you though; Arthur isn't crowned until the end of the last book. So, it isn't about his reign so much as about how it might have all really come to be. The majority centres around Uther and Merlin (who are cousins in this version). It's astonishingly beautiful language, and I just fell in love with all of his ideas. He has now started a two- or three- book series from Lancelot's POV covering Arthur's reign, per reader demand. :) The first book is out. Brilliant reading.

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Damn. I'd written loads here, but then I hit the wrong button and lost it. Lets see if I can remember...

This was a truly beautiful chapter. Xavier's mixed emotions, and his total honesty with himself about how he feels and why, where both a joy to read and a source of sorrowful sympathy.

And the episode in the amphitheatre was fun - it is good to be an adult, able to behave like a child occasionally. They were behaving like characters out of a children's adventure story.

And the tattoos... strange how they all accepted them appearing over night, without questioning why, and yet, also not strange at all. They have me intrigued - tattoos that speak to their wearers....

And the knight who succeeded - that has to be Galahad or Percival? I can't remember which. That was Kincaid's 'possessor'?

You have given us so much more context in this chapter, without actually providing any answers to the puzzles. So I'll just have to wait and see. *grin* Very nice indeed. Thanks. I'm late reading, but it was so good to get here.

[smwright.livejournal.com]

And I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Yes, this one was fun. I can't have them all be doom and gloom.

So, you have answered the riddle (basically). If you were to go back and look at your own puzzling it out a few weeks ago and the answer you gave but didn't want to give, you'd know which it is. Very good! And yes, enough to scare the shit out of anyone, Kincaid included.

Poor Xavier though. Not quite broken yet. I wonder if we can manage the job before the book's complete. I should probably write the standalone just to make sense of what's going on... Someday. *sigh*

They have me intrigued - tattoos that speak to their wearers....
As I said to Sparrow, that was so hard for me, deciding whether or not to give Kincaid the dragon, and I had many heart-to-hearts with Mere over it. It felt right, but then there would be 'splaining to do. I still feel that it works, but I'm not certain it makes true sense until book 4, and that's only just really begun at this stage in my writing.

I hope to have this week's posted soon. It's been done; I just don't have any real time to speak of. I'm sure you know what that's like! But as always, I'm glad you were able to stop by, and thank you for the lovely comments. *g*