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The Knights of Favonius was established over a thousand years ago by its first Grand Master, the Legendary Hero Vennessa, who along with several other courageous individuals, freed Mondstadt from the clutches of the Aristocracy.
The Order became responsible for protecting Mondstadt and its belief of freedom. Despite its members are known as knights, none has been knighted by any royalty, for knighthood is a title they earned from the noble duties they assume
The Order prospered for the next 500 years led by an unbroken line of Grand Masters who tried to follow the examples laid by Vennessa. However, things change when the Cataclysm occured and more than two thirds of the Order perished in the subsequent chaos. Among those who fell in battle were those considered to be the future of the Order and so what followed was a steady decline that lasted for centuries.
A decline that was ultimately halted by the arrival of a savior, who then pulled the entire Order out from its quagmire and led them into a future far brighter than any of us could have imagine.
Like Vennessa before her, she spearheaded the rebirth of the Knights of Favonius and ushered in the Order's Golden Age.
- Adorno, the Benevolent Knight, Captain of the Fifth Company
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The first few days of Artoria's reign as the newest Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius were a whirlwind of controlled chaos.
The news of Randolf's defeat and Artoria's subsequent ascension spread throughout the entire nation of Mondstadt like wildfire, eclipsing even the juiciest tavern gossip!
For the first few weeks, the atmosphere around the city was electric with a sense of renewal. The Knights, who had once walked with a slouch of shame under Randolf, now moved with a renewed purpose. Their backs straightened, their eyes brighter and their overall approach was more focused.
Artoria's first act as Grand Master was not a grand proclamation, but a quiet, personal visit to the Headquarters' medical wing.
Three days after her life altering duel, Artoria, accompanied by Sir Hemlock, went to the Headquarters' infirmary where the ruined form of Randolf lay under the watchful eyes of several frantic doctors and nurses.
He was a pitiful sight.
Gone was the once ostentatious Grand Master who ruled the Order with pageantry and milked the nation with his outrageous tax hikes. Instead, what now laid on a simple hospital bed was a broken husk of a man who paid the price for his hubris.
His entire body was swathed in yards upon yards of sterile bandages, held together by splints and liberal applications of conventional healing remedies, and even some alchemical potions.
He was little more than a breathing corpse.
His eyes, wide in permanent terror, followed Artoria, the very being who sentenced him into this miserable state, as she approached him in a calm and deliberate manner.
He could not speak for his vocal cords were all but crushed, nor could he move due to the severe spinal trauma he had received. But his mind was still intact and it was screaming in sheer unadulterated terror as he saw his worst nightmare calmly approaching his battered remains with a distant and almost apathetic facial expression.
In Randolf's now caged mind, there was only one devil, and that devil was now looking at him straight in the eyes!
Artoria meanwhile saw a man trapped in a prison of his own flesh, forced to live the rest of his agonizing existence with the consequences of his pride, greed and arrogance.
She felt no satisfaction upon gazing at his now frozen 'mummified' body. There was no triumph, only a cold and cynical pity.
"He is to be given the best care." She instructed the healers, much to their surprise.
Her voice was devoid of any emotion.
"THIS IS NOW HIS PRISON. He is to be kept comfortable at all times. Let his life be a testament. Let all who see him understand the fate that awaits those who betray the trust of this nation and its people."
With that, she turned and left, leaving the broken man to his silent, waking nightmare.
Her second act as Grand Master occurred just a few hours after she had visited her 'prestigious predecessor'.
Artoria while in her new office, summoned the head librarian in-charge of the library, Melisa Minci, an act that frightened the poor woman.
The shy librarian, who had been the constant target of Randolf's outbursts, arrived at the Grand Master's office in haste and was momentarily stunned at how much the office had changed in the last few days!
Gone were the gaudy trappings of luxury introduced by Randolf. The meticulous artisan-crafted mahogany tables and chairs were now replaced by a simple yet comfortable set of pine-made furniture.
The inside door leading to an adjacent room that served as entrance to the Grand Master's private quarters were no longer gilded with gold leaves, and had been stripped bare revealing its original wooden nature.
The carpets that were made from the leather of elusive natlanese saurians were now gone, and were replaced by a plush rug where the Grand Master's precious children, Barbara and Jean are currently playing.
The entire room no longer smelled like vintage wine and cigar smoke, instead it now offers a good scent of cecilia and...baby powder? Melisa then found the newly installed Grand Master herself, not behind the massive desk, but standing by the window. She looking out over the city while occasionally keeping an eye out for her children who were playing quietly on a plush rug she'd had brought in.
"Ah, Miss Minci, just the right person I needed." Artoria said, turning from the window with a soft smile.
"Thank you for coming here on such a short notice. I have a proposition for you."
Melisa looked from the serene new Grand Master to the two small children playing below. It was a scene of domestic tranquility that was wildly out of place at the heart of a military Order!
"A... a proposition, my lady?"
"Yes Miss Minci. You see my dear, I am many things, a newly appointed grand master, the newly installed head of an ancient noble clan, and most importantly a mother." Artoria explained in a calm and clear voice.
"But, I'm also aware of my limitations, and the fact that governing a military Order that also served as the de facto governing body of a nation requires more than just mastery of arms or a noble pedigree." Artoria paused while looking back at the city of Mondstadt from her window.
"It requires something else, something more robust and structured that can both address and manage the needs of the nation." Artoria carefully chooses her words.
In the short span of weeks she had lived in Mondstadt, Artoria gradually learned how the city and the nation as a whole operated....and quite frankly she's amazed at how the nation itself is still standing after all these years!
Barbatos literally created a nation that values freedom above all else and that's the problem!
Ever since Vennessa's rebellion a thousand years ago, Mondstadt had been in a state of 'Laissez-faire' with a national policy that allowed things to take their own course. While it gave people freedom, it also created complications.
Civil responses to the usual public inconveniences such as road potholes and broken bridges were slow.
The economy was largely undiversified and was mostly based around the local wine industry. This created high vulnerability to price volatility, which in turn can lead to possible economic instability, slow growth, and increased debt! Thankfully (and surprisingly) the national taxation system appeared to be atleast in order.
Artoria was somewhat thankful (and also oddly perplexed) that no foreign powers such as Snezhnaya have yet to abuse Mondstadt's current system and use it against them!
Her nation was literally just a sitting duck waiting to be hunted!
But, knowing the possible future events of the game, she's sure that it would only be a matter of time before forces such as the Fatui and their Harbingers would try to sink their teeth around Mondstadt.
As the Grand Master, she could not allow such an incident to pass over her now beloved home for it would put everyone in danger, especially her daughters!
She might not be able to turn Mondstadt into a superpower that rivals Snezhnaya in a span of a decade or two, but she sure as hell could make it grow stronger to the point that it would not appear weak in the eyes of the other six nations! And for that, she first needed to build a sort of robust government centered around the Knights. One that would not only preserve the value of freedom for the people of Mondstadt but would also help manage and grow the nation's economy and industries.
It will take years for her plan to gradually bear fruit and she would need the help of various experts along the way to see her vision come true. But for now she needed that change to start at the very center of Mondstadt's administration, the Knights of Favonius itself, and for that, the Order has to change for the better.
"The world is slowly changing, Melisa, we cannot hope to survive in it if we remain as we are right now. This nation and this Order, had been through many years of mismanagement and neglect. We need to rise up to the occasion, the Knights of Favonius must spread its wings anew, and guide Mondstadt into the future!"
Artoria solemnly spoke her dreams for the Knights and the nation which took Melisa by surprise. Heck even little Jean stopped playing for a moment and began listening to what her dear mama had to say.
"Changes are coming to this Order my dear librarian but I cannot do this alone. I require assistance, someone who can be my right hand and voice while I'm occupied. Someone who is intelligent, discreet, and whose heart is in the right place." Artoria looked into Melisa and smiled.
"I saw your persistence in delivering Randolf's letter, and the concern you showed for my daughters. In those short moments, I saw your wisdom, your commitment and your mastery of the written laws and knowledge of Mondstadt."
She then gestured to the simple yet elegant desk at the side of the office.
"Thus I would like to offer you the position of Secretary to the office of the Grand Master. A position to manage my schedule, handle correspondence, and help bring the records of this Order back to a state where they are useful. I will, of course, understand if you wish to remain in the library."
Melisa's mind reeled for a second.
Secretary to the Grand Master? HER?! A shy librarian who was most comfortable surrounded by dusty old books and tomes?!
But looking at the newly minted Grand Master....at the quiet strength and the genuine warmth in her emerald eyes, she felt a surge of courage she never knew she possessed!
To be near this woman who turned the entire country upside down in a matter of days...
To be part of this incredible change she will surely bring about...
It was an opportunity she couldn't refuse!
"I... I would be honored, my lady," She said, her voice firm for the first time.
"I will do my best!"
"I have no doubt about that." Artoria replied with a warm, genuine smile.
"Welcome to the New Knights of Favonius, Secretary Minci!"
With her secretary now secured, the duo immediately began formulating and laying out the plans that would soon shake the very foundation of Mondstadt and the Knights of Favonius as a whole.
___________________
The Reforms began the very next day, and they were not gentle.
Artoria's first public decree as Grand Master was the reinstatement of the Dawn March.
The Dawn March was an old tradition, long abandoned by Randolf, who considered it a needless waste of time that could be better spent polishing armor and learning etiquettes.
The rite was by itself a military march usually performed every morning, at first light of dawn. A sizable contingent of Knights, usually about 20 to 50 strong or so, from the newest recruit to the most seasoned veteran, was to assemble and march along the sleeping city.
The route of the march would often change every week following a predetermined pattern that was designed to let every participating knight familiarize every street, alley, and district within the City.
It was an exercise in discipline, endurance, and most importantly, visibility. A promise to the people of Mondstadt that their protectors were ever-vigilant.
It's been 6 years since this old tradition was last performed and now Artoria was bringing it back as a statement to usher in the dawn of a new age!
The first Dawn March in 6 years was chaotic as expected.
Knights, particularly the young ones, stumbled. Formations were sloppy, and the grumblings coming from several still lethargic knights were audible!
Artoria didn't just bring 50 or so Knights. No! She gathered almost half of the entire Order's forces and forced them to march with her!
"KEEP MARCHING IN FORMATION YOU LOUSY SQUIRES! HOW IN THE SEVEN HELLS CAN YOU CALL YOURSELVES KNIGHTS WHEN A LOT OF YOU CAN'T EVEN KEEP THEMSELVES IN A SINGLE COLUMN!" Artoria shouted with a voice worthy of a veteran drill sergeant!
She, dressed not in her battle armor but in a simple, practical version of her usual regalia, marched at the head of the column with Jean and Barbara riding inside a small, decorated carriage pulled by two of the order's finest horses.
Though she would occasionally shout out commands (and even profanities), Artoria for most part, would simply set the pace of the march. Her strides were unwavering and her overall presence was a silent and immutable standard that the knights tend to follow.
After one gruelling week of countless marches and strict discipline, the formations of the march were now crisp.
The grumblings from tired sleep-deprived participants had been turned into proud chants.
And the citizens of Mondstadt would line the streets each morning, cheering at their Knights as they passed through their streets! Their cheers, however, were the loudest for the Grand Master who leads them at the front of the march!
But the Dawn March was merely the prelude to the things that were about to come, for it was Artoria's second public decree that would truly shake the foundations of the Order and redefine its future.
In the second month of her reign as Grand Master, Artoria summoned all the knights and some of the prominent members of the Church of Favonius to the main plaza of the city. The very same plaza where she had shattered a man and forged a legend.
There, she stood on the steps of the Headquarters with her secretary Melisa Minci by her side carrying a stack of parchments. Her daughters too were watching from a window above.
"For too long, this Order has been a disorganized congregation of squads, with no clear structure or purpose beyond the whims of its commanders!" Artoria began as her voice rang across the silent plaza.
"THAT ENDS TODAY! A sword is only as strong as the forge that shapes it. We will become a well-forged blade, sharp, strong, and balanced!"
"THE ENTIRE ORDER OF THE KNIGHTS OF FAVONIUS WILL BE RESHAPED AND REBORN!"
She proceeded to lay out her plan, a monumental restructuring of the entire chivalric Order the likes of which had never been seen in Mondstadt's history!
The entire plan was so logical, so brutally efficient that it left the seasoned knights gasping. She was dismantling a centuries-old system and replacing it with something that felt both revolutionary and overdue!
"The Knights of Favonius will be divided into Ten Permanent Companies, each with a specific purpose and a minimum of two hundred members each per company." Melisa stepped forward, reading from a parchment as she turned to her Grand Master for the rest.
"The First, Second, Third, Fifth, and Seventh Companies will be our frontline Battle companies. Their primary duties will be the defense of the villages, towns and cities of the nation, the patrol of the countryside, and the response to any and all threats to Mondstadt. They will be the shield and spear of Mondstadt!"
An ecstatic murmur went through the ranks of the assembled Order.
Specialization.
It was a radical concept!
"The Fourth Company will be the eyes and ears of the Order, they will be the Reconnaissance Company! They will be our scouts, our hunters, our mapmakers and our spy masters. They will know the land better than their own hands, and they will learn the secrets of our enemies!"
"The Sixth Company will be the lifeblood of our Order. The Logistics and Supplies Company! Without them, the frontline cannot fight. They will manage our armories, our provisions, our supplies and our transports. Their work is as vital as any sword."
"The Eighth Company will be the minds of the Order. The Company of Research, Alchemy, Investigation and Magic! They will study new technologies, analyze enemy weaknesses, and solve the mysteries that plague our lands."
"The Ninth Company will be our mailed fist. The Cavalry Company! For speed, for shock, for thundering charges that break the will of our foes."
"And lastly, the Tenth Company will be our future. The Reserve Company! Its numbers will be tripled to at least six hundred members and recruits. Their primary task is to handle recruitment and most importantly, to train the next generation of knights. All aspirants who pass the exams and trials will earn the title of Squire and will serve their time in the Tenth, learning from the veterans before they are assigned to a specific company."
Artoria then paused, letting the sheer scale of her vision sink into the assembled crowd.
"Each Company will be led by a Captain, who will choose their own Lieutenant. The Captains will be voted upon by the members of their respective companies with a few exceptions, and with my final approval. They will report directly to me. This is your Order, and you will have a say in who leads you!"
The knights were stunned. They were presented with a system that valued merit, that fostered loyalty, that gave every man and woman a clear path forward!
It was everything their old system was not!
But Artoria was not finished.
"There will also be specialized units, outside the main company structure. First, The Outriders!" She announced as her gaze swept over the crowd.
"An elite unit of our best scouts and infiltrators, drawn from the Fourth Company. They will be our ghosts in the night...our unseen blades. For this role, I have already chosen their leader, and the first captain of the Fourth Company based on merit and service!"
From the crowd, a man who had been standing near the back stepped forward.
He is well known to the knights especially among the veterans. He was a celebrated hunter from Springvale and was originally a mercenary from Liyue Harbor before moving to Mondstadt decades ago.
He served the Knights of Favonius for many years under Grand Master Valentine Jericho, only to be fired when Randolf ascended the office.
He has long grey and brown hair that speaks about his age.
His face, weathered by sun and wind, harbored two pragmatic and insightful eyes.
Scars can be seen all over his forearms as he walks forward towards the front of the assembly.
The man's name was Zhencha Yuan.
"Sir Zhencha Yuan," Artoria addressed him.
"You served the Order for many years with distinction and honor, only to be cast aside by my predecessor. Though you were born from a foreign land, you know the wilds of this nation better than any one, thus I am restoring your rank and promoting you!"
"You will be the first Captain of the Fourth Company, and the first Head of the Outriders. Your task will be to build them and turn them into an elite force worthy of Mondstadt. Do you accept it?"
Zhencha, who had been quietly seething for years, a good man forced into obscurity by a petty tyrant, stared solemnly at the newest leader of the Order.
He looked at Artoria, and saw the sincerity in her eyes. He saw the second chance she was offering to him. A great boon not just for him, but for his family and more importantly, for his newly born granddaughter, Amber.
With his mind made up, Zhencha dropped to one knee and pledged his loyalty and service to the woman standing before him. His voice was thick with profound emotion.
"I accept, my Grand Master! My life and my arrows are yours and for Mondstadt!"
"Then rise, Captain Yuan of the Fourth Company! We have a lot of work to do." Artoria commanded.
"Furthermore." she continued as the newly promoted Captain of the Fourth Company took his place at her side.
"The Office of the Secretary, under Miss Minci, will be attached directly to the Office of the Grand Master to ensure the smooth administration of this entire new structure."
"And also." Artoria then turned to where Father Theron stood.
The old priest and some of the clergy from the Church of Favonius were personally invited by Artoria for the event.
"The Order cannot stand apart from the Church for both of these institutions served the country and its people. To bridge the gap between the Knights and the Church and to ensure that our actions always be aligned with the spiritual well-being of Mondstadt, I am creating a new special position with the consultation of the Church. The Office of the Seneschal. An advisory body on matters of faith and morality and I can think of no better man to hold this post than Father Theron himself."
The old priest, slightly surprised by the sudden proclamation, bowed his head.
"It would be my honor to serve our country, Grand Master."
With her new command structure laid bare, Artoria finally turned her attention towards the man who would be the face of her frontline forces.
Sir Hemlock, the veteran knight, whose unshakeable faith had been the first spark of the Order's rebirth.
"Sir Hemlock," she said, her voice softening slightly.
"You have served this Order faithfully and loyally through the years even during the time of its lowest. Your wisdom and experience were crucial to the continued existence of the Order thus I would like to offer you the position of First Captain, The leader of the First Company, the Premier Battle Company of the Order, and my second-in command!"
The old knight's scarred face broke into a grin of pure, unadulterated joy!
He never imagined such honor to be granted to him, thus he did not hesitate even for a second in confirming his oath.
"By the wind, I will hold the line for you, Grand Master. Until my last breath!"
The plaza erupted in cheers of jubilation!
The old system was now gone and a new, vibrant and purposeful order had risen from its ashes, forged by the woman who understood that true strength lies not just in the mastery of arms, but in the structure, purpose, and spirit it represents!
____________________
Weeks turned into months.
The rhythm of her new life along with its subsequent responsibilities settled over Artoria and her family.
The Knights of Favonius, once known for their declining reputation as listless lawmen of a corrupt Grand Master, was now fully transformed.
They were a living and breathing chivalric entity with a stature similar to that when the Order was first established over a thousand years ago. The had once again became the very symbol of their nation's resilience. The Orde's collective morale soaring high under Artoria's new leadership.
The Dawn Marches had once again become regular stapled events that were slowly becoming a source of city-wide pride, a symbol of Mondstadt's renewed spirit.
The newly established companies would take turns each week in participating on the marches. Drilled with a fervor that had been absent for over a generation, each of the new captains - men and women promoted on basis of merit and service - would lead their respective companies with a profound passion that was infectious to all.
And at the helm of it all, was the revered Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, Artoria Pendragon 'Gunnhildr'.
Artoria was a constant presence, a hands-on type of leader. She would train with each of the Battle Companies, giving them insights and teaching them about battle tactics as well as sparring with some of them, allowing her to showcase some of her basic movements which for the common man were but a blur of impossible and graceful acrobatics that left even the most hardened knights in awe.
She regularly reviewed several intelligence reports with Captain Yuan. Her divine tactical mind honed from the experience of several lifetimes, was able to dissect information with ease in a speed that belied her calm demeanor.
She even spent some considerable amount of time with the Eighth Company. Deep inside their assigned laboratories, Artoria's carefully hidden divine constitution allowed her to provide unique insights into various alchemical reactions, elemental spells and the near-mystical properties of the ley lines, much to the astounded researchers' delight!
Yet, through it all, she remained a mother.
The evenings were always sacred and personal to her. Her days as Grand Master ended when she returned to her spacious suite inside the headquarters that now served as her family's temporary home.
It was then that she shed the mantle of leadership and became simply 'Mama'. Inside the confines of that once highly decorated space, many cherished memories were born and were forever etched into Artoria's heart.
There she taught Jean her first real sword stances, using a wooden sword that she had personally carved out of Randolf's old Mahogany furniture. Every time she would indulge her little girl with simple and basic swordsmanship lessons, Jean's face would turn into a mask of fierce concentration, as she eagerly tried her best to follow every instruction her Mama told her.
She constantly sang ancient lullabies to her daughters, particularly baby Barbara, every night gently bringing them to sleep but also imbuing the two children with a sense of peace and security that was palpable.
The divine milk made from her very own love which she provides as sustenance for her daughters continued its silent work, strengthening and elevating the two innocent souls into beings far above their origins. It was a testament of unquestionable maternal love that was rewriting their very destinies.
But not everything was confined only to her precious little 'family' for there were also the matters concerning her now larger 'extended family'.
The news of her ascendency as Matriarch and Leader of the Gunnhildr clan had mostly settled into a comfortable reality throughout Mondstadt.
The numerous clan members who settled in different parts of the country, from Springvale to Milhaven, were now filled with a renewed sense of pride and purpose, and treated her with reverence never before seen since ancient times.
Never before in hundreds of years was a Matriarch or a Patriarch of the Gunnhildr Clan able to unite the vast majority of its clansmen into one single banner.
Most of her predecessors were simply content on supervising the territories owned by the main branch, leaving those of the distant branches to their own fates and devices.
Things changed when Artoria came into the picture. Though she's an outsider and 'technically' holds not a single drop of Gunnhildr blood, she was taken in by the clan without question, thus to some extent, Artoria personally saw them as her sort of 'distant relatives' in this new world.
For the past few months and weeks, she actively sent letters to all of her 'relatives' throughout Mondstadt asking about their whereabouts and situations. She would send aid in the form of Mora taken from her own 'personal wealth' (a.k.a The Holy Grail) to those clansmen who were in dire straits and in few occasions, she (along with her little daughters) would personally visit some of them just for the sake of knowing and greeting them.
Her generous and benevolent actions had further endeared her to every member of the Gunnhildr Clan. Her popularity caused her to be hailed by her fellow clansmen as some sort of a chosen one who was destined to unite their fractured ancient clan once more!
Hell, there was even a rumor that's been circulating around the taverns that stated that she was originally an older sister of Frederica who was mysteriously sent away during infancy, only to return when the clan needed her the most!
Such baseless rumors however only caused further headaches to the now popular Matriarch who opted to ignore further inquiries about her origin (which unfortunately only added to the mystique of her so called 'near mythical origin stories').
But overall, the entirety of the Gunnhildr Clan saw her not only as their beloved matriarch, but also as the mother and rightful guardian of their future, embodied in two little girls who were growing stronger and more radiant each passing day.
____________________
With the Order stabilizing and her Clan thriving, Artoria's attention turned to a more personal matter, namely creating a true home for her and her two adorable daughters!
The Grand Master suite inside the Knights of Favonius Headquarters, while comfortable, was still an official on-the-site residence. It was not a place to experience a comfortable and memorable childhood.
They needed a house. A garden. A place where Jean could run and Barbara could take her first steps on soft grass, not cold hard stone.
Her mind, naturally, went to the one place that already (and rightfully) belonged to her. The Ancestral Estate of the Gunnhildr Clan's Main House.
Located just a few miles southeast of the city near the border of the Whispering Woods, this vast estate was first established by the previous head of the clan right after Vanessa's rebellion 500 years ago.
Other than the scant images she had seen through her visions via the use of her Fairy Eyes, Artoria had never seen it personally, but based on the memories of her recent conversations with her fellow clan members during their many enthusiastic conversations the vast Estate itself, the seat of the clan, had already been suffering from decay for the past few decades.
And place was further pushed into the brink of ruin under Frederica's distracted watch.
So, during one clear afternoon, Artoria herself decided to personally see this estate with her own two eyes. Leaving Jean, who was at that time in the middle of her studies, in the capable hands of a now-assured Melisa Minci, and carrying Barbara in a self made baby sling, she made her way to the estate.
She did not go alone though for her second in command, Sir Hemlock and the ever vigilant Captain Yuan escorted her, alongside a squad of knights from the Fourth Company.
The vast Estate was located in a quieter, more picturesque part of Starfell Valley bordering the Whispering Woods and overlooking the scenic Cider Lake.
As they approached, the first thing Artoria noticed was the silence that permeated around the area. It was a profound, heavy silence that hung over the property like a shroud, similar to that of an abandoned ghost town.
The high stone walls that surrounded it were covered in ivy and moss, not in a romantic, picturesque way, but like a parasitic vine choking its host!
The great iron gates that stood for centuries and bare the proud crest of the Gunnhildr Lion, were now rusted at the hinges, hanging slightly to the side.
As she pushed them open, they groaned in protest with the sound echoing in the stillness.
The Mansion itself was a handsome structure of stone and dark timber. It was three stories tall, with a grand facade that spoke of old money and nobility....
But it looked tired, and even down right dead.
The paint on the window shutters was peeling off...
The roof tiles were mossy and slick...
And a general air of melancholy clung around the entire ancient structure.
Her eyes drifted to the eastern side of the estate to what must have once been a magnificent garden.
Now, it was a wilderness of thorns and weeds. The rose bushes were skeletal with their thorny branches tangled and overgrown.
The stone pathways were cracked and hidden beneath a carpet of unruly grass.
And beyond the garden, she saw an orchard.
Rows upon rows of apple trees....dead apple trees, with their branches gnarled and bare. Artoria noted that not a single leaf or blossom was present in any of the branches.
It was a graveyard of trees.
"It is... much as I remember it, my lady." Sir Hemlock said softly, his voice laced with sorrow.
"Lady Frederica never had the heart for gardening or maintaining the orchard that her grandfather had built. Things only got worse after her husband, Seamus, had tragically passed away." Hemlock lowered his head.
"The servants did what they could, but a house needs a... a soul, my Lady. Not just occupants but souls."
Artoria walked through the weed-choked path towards the manor, her steps silent on the cracked stone.
She could feel the echoes of the past in each of her steps and in each wall she looked and it burned her motherly heart!
Jean's memories of being confined, of watching Frederica leave through these gates without even glancing back...
She felt Barbara's infantile confusion in a house that was so cold and silent. Her soft pitiful cries, often ignored by even the household staff...
This place hadn't just been neglected; it had been starved of joy!
Rightful anger slowly rose from her chest as the thought of her two precious daughters suffering from the abandonment of their previous mother!
The knights who accompanied her noted that Artoria's grip around her baby tightened as her teeth slowly gritted from the anger she's feeling at that moment.
'HOW COULD SHE?! How could Frederica let all of these happen?!' Artoria lashes out in her mind.
Yet another part of her, the part that was a ruler who had made impossible sacrifices.... somewhat understood.
Frederica may have love for her daughters, but her love had been a drowning thing, a sorrow so profound that it had swallowed everything else, including her ability to provide a home filled with life.
She does not believe that Frederica was completely heartless for she had sacrificed her life for them in the very end. And in Artoria's book, that final act of sacrifice had somewhat wiped the slate of her predecessor clean.
Her anger was not only for the woman, but for the sorrow that had poisoned this place.
"Captain Yuan." Artoria said in a low and even voice which was the only sign of her inner turmoil.
"Have your men do a full sweep of the property. I want to know every rotten beam, every leaky pipe, every forgotten corner. I want a complete assessment by morning."
"At once, Grand Master," Zhencha replied, his eyes already scanning the estate with a professional's gaze.
He gave a sharp whistle, and two of his best scouts who had been shadowing them from the rooftops materialized at his side, receiving their orders with silent nods.
Artoria then turned her gaze back to the dead orchard with a spark of divine purpose igniting in her emerald eyes.
This place, this land, she will fix it herself!
This orchard will be her gift to her two precious daughters!
____________________
Almost a week later, Artoria stood at the center of the dead orchard with her daughters watching from a safe distance under the watchful eye of Elspeth, the innkeeper, whom Artoria had brought along to offer a more domestic perspective.
The assessment reports that had been conducted were in, and they were grim.
The renovation of the Estate would be amonumental task, requiring an army of craftsmen and a king's ransom in Mora.
Fortunately, she had both!
The army of craftsmen was easy. With a single order, she had dispatched the Sixth Company, the Logistics and Supply corps, not only to procure the best materials but to handle the labor themselves with additional acquired manpower from the Adventurers Guild!
The Knights, who had once only known how to polish their ceremonial armor, were now learning how to mix mortar, how to replace rotten floorboards, and how to glaze windows.
It was a lesson in humility and purpose, and they threw themselves into it with a vigor that surprised even Artoria!
Artoria was even more surprised when a sizable contingent of her fellow Gunnhildr clansmen from all across the countryside made their presence known the day after the start of the renovations.
They came in literal droves after they heard about their matriarch's plan to rebuild their ancestral seat!
Their ancestral mansion, which had been silent for years, now echoed with the sounds of hammers, saws, and the cheerful shouts of men and women rebuilding their Matriarch's home!
The king's ransom was even easier to find!
Each night, in the privacy of her rooms, Artoria would 'commune' (more like forced) with the Holy Grail.
"Mora." she would whisper as she infused her will and power towards the wish-granting artifact.
"Enough to rebuild a legacy. Enough to make a home for my daughters."
And the Grail would oblige to its master's demands, conjuring piles uponpiles of perfect and untraceable Mora that she funneled into the project through a series of discreet channels, allowing the city to believe she was drawing upon a secret, personal inheritance!
But the Orchard was her personal project. She dismissed the workers telling them that she'll perform some sort of ancient private Gunnhildr family ritual, sending them back to the mansion.
This part, she would do alone.
She walked to the very center of the barren grove filled with gnarled, leafless branches reaching up to the sky like skeletal fingers.
Once in position, she closed her eyes allowing her divine consciousness to sink inward...
Past the identity of the mother...
Past the identity of the Grand Master...
And into the very heart of her being where her many aspects, integral parts of her soul resided.
There she traced the memories of one of them, the very being known as 'The Fairy of Paradise', Artoria Avalon. And from that aspect, she drew forth one power that is best suited in this endeavour.
'Avalon le Fae', a skill and power concealed under the name 'Protection of the Lake'.
The ability possessed by Artoria to allow her to bless life and to repel any sort of corruption in the land.
Feeling the surge of her power in her veins, Artoria held out her hands, not as a mage casting a spell, but as a sovereign granting her blessing to her barren dominion.
A soft, golden light began to emanate from her. It was gentle at first, then it slowly grew in intensity yet still remained subtle like a reflection of sunlight, until the entire orchard was bathed in its warm, holy radiance.
It was not the explosive and destructive power capable of sundering mountains, for it was the creative force of a goddess. The power to bring forth life from desolation!
The subtle golden light sank deep into the parched earth before it flowed up into the gnarled trunks of the apple trees, caressing the numerous brittle and dead branches.
The air around the Orchard seemed to hum with sacred energy.
Wherever the light touched, a miracle would have occurred.
Tiny, vibrant green buds began to swell on the bare branches, unfurling into perfect, healthy leaves. Then, with a rustling sound that was like a collective sigh of relief, the trees miraculously burst into bloom!
It was not a slow, natural process, rather it was a cascade, a wave of pure life!
Delicate pink and white blossoms erupted across the entire orchard, their sweet, fragrant scent filling the air so thickly it was almost intoxicating.
Elspeth gasped at the miraculous and unbelievable site. Her hands flying to her mouth trying to contain her profound shock!
Jean and Barbara, seeing the spectacle, let out squeals of pure, unadulterated joy!
Jean in particular, ran forward towards her beloved Mama. Her small feet kicked up dust while her arms wide as she tried to embrace the blooming divine wonder around her that she had only read from her now destroyed blue book.
"It's Mama's Magic! It's Mama's magic!"
Artoria slowly opened her eyes as the golden light began to recede back into her. She felt a gentle satisfying feeling in her heart, like that of a farmer after a long day's harvest.
The Orchard was no longer a graveyard...
It was now a paradise. A promise of the harvest that was to come!
"Yes, my little lion, it's my magic. Mama's magic." she said with her voice warm with love as she knelt down to catch her running daughter in a hug.
"And I did it for you. For both of my precious cubs."
She briefly snuggled her eldest daughter before carrying her in her arms as she began to walk towards the now stunned Elspeth who was kneeling down on the soft newly formed grass in utmost reverence.
Barbara, who she gently placed on the soft grass besides her was babbling joyfully as she saw her mother coming in her direction.
When Elspeth heard Artoria's footsteps approaching her, she looked up to the woman....no, to the goddess before her with tears flowing down from her eyes.
"Are...are you the...the Anemo Archon..my..my Lady?". She said with trembling emotions.
'Really Elspeth, I just performed a bit of a magic trick and now you're comparing me to that notorious drunk bard, who has yet to appear?' Artoria chuckled at Elspeth's question.
Artoria, feeling a bit mischievous at that time, didn't give her a verbal reply. Instead she just placed a finger in front of her lips and did a gesture of silence. She then gave the still trembling Elspeth a warm and gentle smile that can only be given by a deity to her follower!
It was initially a gesture made to shut the woman up and to keep the events that she had witnessed a secret.....
Unfortunately for the mischievous goddess, she had underestimated the vast faith hidden within the heart of every citizen of Mondstadt!
That divine smile made Elspeth experience a profound EPIPHANY that greatly enhanced her faith and devotion, utterly transforming her soul!
For the owner of the Windswept Pleasance, what she had witnessed was the undeniable proof that their Archon Barbatos walked among them!
'SHE'S REAL! SHE'S HERE! The Anemo Archon had once more graced Mondstadt!'
Elspeth felt so blessed and honored for not just being able to witness the recent miracle within the Orchard but also for being able to provide shelter for her god when she returned back to her city!
With her mind utterly transformed by sheer (fanatical) devotion, Elspeth began to piece together the significance of the most recent events that had occurred in Mondstadt.
She began to believe that all the events that transpired for the past few months were mysterious divine revelations enacted personally by their Archon who saw the state of her nation and the cries of her people, and had decided to manifest herself in the flesh to lead her country once more!
She began to believe that the divine being in front of her will lead Mondstadt into a new era of prosperity and peace!
Elspeth, ever devout, 'understood' the meaning behind her Archon's silencing gesture.
Words were not needed.
The truth was in the blossoming trees, in the love for her children, in the serene, omnipotent grace that defined her.
The now transformed devoted woman didn't rise from the ground. She simply bowed her head deeper into the grass, uttering a silent vow to forever serve her goddessand archonuntil her last breath!
...
.....
....
....
If only Artoria, who was blissfully enjoying the view of her handy work, knew the MASSIVE MISUNDERSTANDING she had just created!
A misunderstanding that would forever hunt her in the upcoming years and change the course of Mondstadt as a whole!
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The renovation of the Gunnhildr Estate was completed with a speed and efficiency that defied all logic!
It was a testament to the combined efforts of the Knights and members of the Gunnhildr clan. Months worth of work were compressed into a span of 3 weeks.
The mansion, once a monument to sorrow, was fully reborn. The stonework was cleaned and restored, the dark timber gleamed with fresh oil, and the windows shone like crystals.
Inside, the once gloomy halls were now filled with light, furnished with comfortable and elegant pieces of furniture that spoke of a noblesse taste and warmth and not of cold opulence.
But it was the grounds surrounding the mansion that were the true marvel.
The garden, once a thicket of thorns, was now a masterpiece of landscape design!
Winding stone paths led through lush lawns and vibrant flowerbeds.
A small fountain, carved in the shape of a lion, bubbled merrily in a sun-dappled courtyard.
And the Orchard... the once dead Orchard was now becoming the stuff of legend in Mondstadt!
The trees, blessed by Artoria's divine power, produced fruits of an impossible quality.
The apples produced by each tree were larger than any variety seen before in Teyvat, with skin that shimmered with a faint golden hue.
When sliced, their flesh was crisp, impossibly juicy, and so sweet it tasted like honeyed cake!
They were a sensational hit especially to the laborers who were the first to try them! And Artoria, with a touch of her characteristic flair, had named the variety 'Golden Delicious'.
The income from the orchard's first harvest was staggering. The produce was not only sold in Mondstadt for numerous merchants from Liyue, Sumeru, Fontaine and even as far as Nod-Krai and Snezhnaya were paying exorbitant prices for the fabled "Golden Delicious" apples.
Artoria, ever the caring and protective mother, funneled a substantial amo,unt of the profit directly into Jean and Barbara's inheritance funds, while using the remainder to pay for the labor and cost of managing the orchard.
Artoria also began using (abusing) the Grail to further fund the Order's continued improvement and the city's various public works, stating that she's using her 'Secret Private Gunnhildr Inheritance' for the benefit of the nation.
The citizens of Mondstadt, seeing the tangible benefits of her leadership and the clan's prosperity, only adored her even more!
When the estate was finally ready, Artoria invited every single member of the Gunnhildr clan, from the most distant relation to the most senior noble, to a homecoming feast!
It was a modest and heartfelt family affair, not a grand display of wealth.
The various foods were simple yet plentiful, and delicious, much of it was 'prepared' by Artoria herself.
The atmosphere was one of reunions, where a once scattered family was able to once again find its way home.
Artoria throughout her various lifetimes, never had such an extended familial relations and seeing the joy etched in the face of every member of her adopted family, Artoria made it official, that once a year, the entire Gunnhildr Clan would once again gather as one in the Gunnhildr Estate to celebrate their clan's history and legacy!
The Celebration was henceforth known as 'The Gunnhildr-Wiedersehen or The Gunnhildrs' Return', and would in later years become a sort of official holiday in Mondstadt.
The main highlight of the first ever celebration involved Artoria, who in front of the assembled clan, placed a cast iron marker underneath the Crest of the Gunnhildr Lion, in the iron gates of the estate.
Within the marker, etched the words that resonated in every Gunnhildr's heart.
'For Mondstadt, as always'
The solemn and sacred words of their ancient clan.
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Elspeth, who had resigned from her position as manager of The Windswept Pleasance the moment Artoria offered her a job, now moved through the newly renovated Gunnhildr manor with an air of quiet and almost sacred purpose!
She was now the official Head Stewardess of the Main House of the Gunnhildr Clan, and she ran the entire household with the same diligence as she had once run The Windswept Pleasance.
But now, her work was more of a sacred and divinely - ordained duty!
In later years, she would tell anyone who asked her that she did not work for the Grand Master nor the Matriarch of the Gunnhildr clan. Rather she served a goddess, her Archon!
It was a sacred and holy sentiment that would later be shared by the small, loyal staff she had hired to run the house of her deity.
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One quiet evening, a few weeks after they moved in, Artoria found Jean in the Orchard, sitting beneath the boughs of her favorite tree with a sketchbook in her lap.
Her little girl was drawing something with an intensity that was becoming her trademark.
"What are you drawing, my little lion?" Artoria asked, settling down beside her.
Her arm gently wrapping around her daughter's small shoulders like a comfortable security blanket.
Little Jean shyly turned the sketchbook around and what Artoria saw made her motherly heart flutter with joy and pride.
It was a childish picture of the three of them standing in the center of the orchard. Artoria's hands were held out, golden light flowing from them and bringing the trees to life. Both Jean and Barbara were standing at each side, hugging her.
It was a child's drawing, but it captured the truth of the moment with unnerving accuracy.
"It was so pretty, Mama," Jean whispered, snuggling her head against her beloved mother.
"You made the flowers and the leaves come back just like in your stories. It was so special!"
Artoria's heart swelled. She hugged her daughter close allowing her to pour out her love for her.
"I'm glad you liked it, sweetie."
Then a thought, a gentle command, surfaced in her mind.
"But you know... Mama would like to keep that little magic trick our own special secret. If everyone knew about it, it wouldn't be so special anymore. It would just be... something Mama does."
Jean looked up at her, her blue eyes serious and understanding.
"Promise, I won't tell anyone, Mama!" she promised, her voice a solemn vow.
"It's our secret!"
Artoria smiled, kissing the top of her eldest daughter's head.
"Thank you. Thank you so much my loyal little knight. Always remember that this place is my special gift to both of you....my two most precious stars."
The promise was kept.
The legend of the Golden Orchard grew, but the true story of its creation remained a secret between a mother, her daughter and one lucky stewardess.
The people of Mondstadt saw it as a miracle, a sign of their matriarch's virtue and a blessing from the land of freedom itself.
(End of Chapter)
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[Elspeth]
- Former manager of The Windswept Pleasance, a charming and rustic hotel in the city of Mondstadt.
- Her fate in the Knights, whom she initially saw as nothing but glorified body guards under Randolf's reign, would be restored due to Artoria's actions.
- Dutiful and hardworking, she would later be scouted by Artoria as the head stewardess of the Gunnhildr Family Estate and Mansion which would later come under the ownership of Artoria.
- She's also the FIRST person in all of Mondstadt to have witnessed the divinity Artoria, in which she mistook her as theANEMO ARCHON BARBATOS reborn. This trend would later be repeated in the near future with other people leading into some awkward shenanigans and misunderstandings, much to Artoria's headache.
[Melisa Minci]
- Melisa Minci is a member of the Knights of Favonius. More specifically she's the caretaker and de facto librarian of Mondstadt's Library, the largest Library in the North.
- She has a 5 year old daughter named Lisa, who is a sort of academic prodigy, much to the delight of Artoria.
- Melisa Minci has short brown hair and has a very shy attitude, so much so that Randolf would usually take advantage of it, forcing her to do some of his errands.
- She would gain some confidence in herself after being taken by Artoria as her Secretary.
[Sir Hemlock]
- Sir Hemlock is a senior veteran knight of the Knights of Favonius, serving the Order for almost 30 years.
- Grizzled and scarred in appearance yet noble and kind, he had served his distant uncle, the Old Wolf, Grand Master Valentine Jericho before the ascension of Randolf, whose six year reign as Grand Master had accentuated the slow decline that the Order had been experiencing since the end of the Cataclysm.
- He was one of the knights present in the Headquarters when Artoria first confronted Randolf, and is the first to be inspired and amazed by her. In Artoria, he saw the chivalry and dignity that was lost in the Order under Randolf.
- He would later be promoted as the first Captain of the First Company making him Artoria's second in command. He would loyally serve her with a zeal that borderlines fanaticism.
- He married late in his early forties, to one of the former maids who served Frederica Gunnhildr. The couple would be blessed with 5 children, the youngest of which is a girl named Noelle.
[Father Theron]
- An old priest from the Church of Favonius who might appear frail but has a sharp acumen.
- He was critical over Randolf's management of the Knights of Favonius but rarely voiced his criticism, preferring to be a pacifist.
- He supported Artoria immediately after learning of her deeds, and was drawn to her due to the mysterious sanctified presence he felt around her.
- Though he had a history of turning down promotions, preferring to stay as an ordinary priest, he would later be appointed as the Seneschal of Mondstadt (after some convincing from Artoria), and later be further elevated to the rank of Cardinal in the Church of Favonius.
[Zhencha Yuan]
- Former mercenary from Liyue Harbor who settled in Mondstadt decades ago and started a family.
- During his youth as a mercenary, his mercenary band experienced suffered a terrible accident leaving him the sole survivor. He was then later saved by a contingent of Knights led by the former Grand Master Valentine Jericho. Too ashamed to return home and also wanted to repay the debt, he joined the Knights of Favonius.
- A pragmatic and silent man, he specialized in reconnaissance and hunting. He would often be tapped by the late Grand Master Jericho as a scout and spy, earning him an honorary rank among the Knights, however when Randolf came into power, he was fired from his job and spent his days as a hunter in Springvale.
- He was officially recruited back by Artoria after learning about his deeds and years of service. She would then promote him as captain of the newly formed Fourth Company and Head of the Outriders. Because of this kind act, Yuan became one of the most loyal captains under Artoria with Sir Hemlock (now the Captain of the First Company) being the only one to rival him in zeal and fanaticism.
- He has only one grand daughter who lives with the rest of his family back in Springvale who goes by the Amber.
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