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Last of the Fae Chapter 45: Of Nature and Gods
🕑 Added 2024-09-18 02:15:20 +0000 UTC“Back behind the barrier brat, we are authorized to use lethal force if necessary,” The goblin guard closest to Thane threatened as his gauntleted fist wrapped around the pommel of his sword.
“If you don’t want to start a war, I suggest you still your blade,” Thane responded as he came to a stop, not moving an inch forward or back as he stared the goblin through the tiny slit of his helmet.
“We aren’t afraid of you Wizards!” The other goblin spat as he stepped up next to his companion and pulled on his sword revealing the beginning of a gleaming steel blade, “Besides I doubt we’ll start a war roughing up some snot nosed child.”
“No, perhaps not,” Thane started before he presented his left hand and the signet ring wrapped around his pinky, “But what about a king?”
“What are you on ab-” The goblin guard cut himself off as he caught sight of Thane’s ring and practically froze on the spot.
“What’s wrong,” The other guard asked as he glanced from Thane to his companion who from all appearances seemed to have stopped breathing.
“Go get the manager, now.”
“What are you mad do you know how pissed he’ll be if we-”
“Go get the manager…NOW!” The first guard repeated before screaming the last part at the top of his lungs making his companion jump before speeding off towards the doors and quickly disappearing inside.
The remaining guard turned to face Thane before getting on single knee and bowing his head “Forgive me, Lord Protector I meant no disrespect. Ever since your awakening we have been awaiting your arrival.”
Before Thane could ask the guard to clarify what he meant, the front doors of Gringotts flew open and the march of ten armored feet rang through the air as they filed out of the bank in rank and file. But leading the faceless soldiers was a visage that Thane recognized and he couldn’t help but smile, “Balor, it’s good to see you in good health.”
A polite smile spread across the bank manager’s face as he arrived in front of Thane and bowed deeply, “The world sang of your ascension but I dare not believe it to be true. I see now how foolish I have been, as a representative of all Goblin kind, it is a pleasure to welcome the Lord Protector.”
Thane dipped his head once before stretching out his hand, “I look forward to forging new bonds of Mithril, tempered in the shared blood of our ancestors.”
The polite smile on Balor’s face turned into a massive grin as he rose to his full height and firmly shook Thane’s hand, “And may your silver gaze, watch over all those who inhabit this realm with benevolence and serenity.”
After a second Thane released Balor hand, “Forgive my sudden appearance but I was in desperate need of your services. But it seems that my arrival might have been expected.”
Balor nodded but glanced around at the surrounded crowd which was now fiercely murmuring and staring at Thane, “Yes, but perhaps we’ll take such matters to a more private setting.”
Thane followed Balor’s gaze and nodded in agreement, “Yes that would be wise.”
As Balor turned and gestured Thane towards the doors an explosion went up from the onlooking crowd.
“This is obscene!”
“You can’t do this!”
“Who is he to get preferential treatment?! Gringotts wouldn’t be anything more than a squabbler's hut without us Nobles entrusting you with our coin and this is the thanks we get!”
Thane glanced over his shoulder and made eye contact with Lucious Malfoy, his gloved hands on the wooden barricade in a death grip. But before the crowd could do anything rash the small legion of goblin guards slapped their breastplates with a collective gong before spreading out and pulling on their swords allowing the gathered crowd to see the razor sharp edge just peeking out of the scabbard.
“Unfortunately Gringott is closed for the rest of the day,” Balor spoke, projecting his voice over the crowd, “We will be open tomorrow at our normal hours, with our constant standard of excellence. Any who persist well find it increasingly difficult to resume their ordinary conduct here at Gringotts Wizarding Bank.”
The cries of protest died almost instantly and people awkwardly milled around and muttered to themselves before they slowly began to disperse.
---
“Was it wise, threatening your customers like that?” Thane asked as he and Balor walked through Gringotts’ doors that were shut firmly behind them by a pair of guards.
“Perhaps not, but they have no other option but to comply.” Balor replied confidently as they turned towards the private meeting rooms.
“It’s remarkable how thoroughly you’ve entrenched yourselves in the economy. I’m amazed that the Ministry willingly gave up control of their central banking.” Thane noted and a snarky grin spread across Balor’s face.
“We made sure after regaining control of Gringotts in 1865 that if the Ministry decided to take back control, they would cripple Great Britain in the process. Though I doubt it will matter for long, not with your appearance.” Balor hinted mysteriously before he arrived at a meeting room which had two guards already assigned to it.
After walking inside Thane sat down in one of the plush leather chairs as Balor took one across the table, “You’ve hinted at this before, I know my appearance is no small matter. But I’m beginning to think it's of even more importance than I originally thought.”
Balor paused for a moment before letting out a short sigh, “While you may not know this we goblins are ruled by a Council, of which I am a member of. Most roles are simply ceremonial but still carry great weight among Goblin kind. After our interaction around this time last year I reported what happened to my fellow seat holders and we all agreed that this was a sign of changing times. Thus we began to prepare, nothing grand, but it only takes one well placed pebble to cause mountains to shift. We began to revisit our ancient history, long forgotten archives were opened with legions of scholars to pour over every word. And what we found spoke of a time that had seemingly vanished from our collective history.”
“When the Fae roamed the Earth,” Thane concluded and Balor nodded solemnly, “My own efforts have eluded to the fact that somehow my people are vital to sustaining magic and in our absence the state of the world has slowly been working itself towards entropy.”
“Your assumption is correct, but perhaps even more than you realized,” Balor stated gravely, “There is a reason why you Fae are called the Great Protectors, your people were the chosen guardians of the Yggdrasil, the World Tree that breathed life and magic into this realm and over saw the natural balance. But even more than guardians you were its arbiters, whenever the balance was threatened you moved to intervene making an example out of any who dared to upset the balance in spectacular fashion.”
“If it was so spectacular how come no one remembers it,” Thane asked and Balor smiled, “Given enough time, true events become rumors, then stories and finally myths. The Great Flood of the Bible, the Sinking of Atlantis, the Eruption of Pompeii, all in reference to the Fae intervening in the mortal world. Your power and wrath was so well known that some cultures predicted that eventually your people would tire of the arrogance of mortals and bring about the end of days. The Fae were more than protectors…they were gods.”
