William's Cenotaph

Posted on Wed Aug 12th, 2026 @ 21:12 by Magali Isebeart & William McAvoy

Chapter: Gobsmacked
Location: New Cresthill cemetery
1470 words - 2.9 OF Standard Post Measure

William did not often go into town alone; he still got overwhelmed by the 1900’s compared to the 1400s. One day, he knew that he would not get so overwhelmed, but until then, he liked company, but there was no one wanting to do what he had wanted to when he had left his ride in to town. It was a quiet day, being a Sunday, with barely anything open, which was what he liked as he sat down in front of the cenotaph that had been erected for him many years ago.

He had seen many erected in honour of a person or group of people whose remains are elsewhere or have been lost, but he was surprised to find that in the midst of all the chaos of his death and whatever had been happening, his wife had gone to the trouble to have it created. It made him miss the woman even more if it was possible when they were 500 years apart.

For some visitors to the old cemetery it was familiar bonds that brought them here. Loved ones, relatives, ancestors. Someone like William, visiting his own memorial, was unusual to say the least. But then, it was a very mad world, so very mad things were bound to happen. Somewhat less unusual - though still not an every day occurrence - was the case of the Avalon Institute's resident owl lady visiting the old graveyard. Not out of familiar bonds or memories of loved ones, but instead wanting to do something for those that time had forgotten. Those stones overgrown, names long lost to the mist of times, with no living relatives that remembered them. And so with cleaning supplies in hand she sought out one such forgotten headstone, to start the meticulous - and respectful - task of cleaning it up. After all, a place like this was one where the deceased were honored. Plus, it helped her clear her mind. She found it a peaceful and soothing task.

There was only one other visitor to the old cemetery at this hour; and though Magali thought she recognized the man, she didn't pursue a meeting at this point, believing that his posture and general demeanor indicated he was here to honor a specific grave, and she did not want to disturb him in his thoughts.

William sighed to himself as his thoughts took his to his final battle. He wished that he knew more about the events and how he was still alive. He needed anwsers to be able to move and maybe find his new place in his world, but right now it was impossible. The man looked up as he heard a sound that was like a brush on stone. He stood and followed the sound until he found Magali. "Hello, Ms Magali." He greeted her gently, keeping a respectful distance in case she was interested in being alone.

"Hello William," her words were softspoken, matching her polite and warm smile, as she rose to her feet from where she had been crouched, cleaning an overgrown headstone. "Did not expect to run into anyone from the castle here. How are you this today? Are you visiting someone close to you?"

William glanced back the way he came and smiled a little more. "I was visiting my resting place." The man said quietly. Was this what Phoebe and Claire had called morbid? He was not sure, but it was his attempt to try and give himself some closure or understanding of what had happened.

"Mm," Just to give an initial reaction, to let him know that she'd heard and understood what he had said. She let it sit a moment though, giving the comment due consideration. It was not a thing most people ever did - if anyone really got a chance to - and it deserved a moment contemplation. Eventually though she tilted her head slightly before commenting further. "That has to be a very surreal experience. Is it something you wish to talk about?"

“It was surreal at first but I have been living in the 1900’s for nearly 3 years so that effect has worn off but…” he glanced around checking that no one was around and could observe them. “It leaves me with a long of unanswered questions about my last day in 1403.” He wished he remembered more or understood what Hextilda did to put him in a healing sleep for all these years.

Magali remained silent for a moment, brows furrowed in thought. 1403 ... She tried to remember if there was anything signficiant about that year in relation to Scotland and this area of the country but nothing came to mind. "Unanswererd questions is only natural. Would talking about it help? What is the last thing you remember?" For Magali it was ancient history that she only read about in history books, but for William it was only three years ago - which relatively put it at the same time Magali left her home farm in Belgium.

"I remember someone attacking the castle and me... armouring up." He said, smiling at his own joke a little. He found the fact that his armour was literally what people thought of knights from his time was hilarious to him, as it was still his skin, it was just armoured. "And then waking up in the depths of the castle and Claire being there."

Armouring up. That suggested he was someone of prominence. Which fit with there still being a grave for him after all this time, six centuries and counting. Magali's knowledge of local history was somewhat lacking, she had to admit. An attack on the castle? That at least was something there should be records of. If not in the castle itself then maybe in local libraries or town hall. Which meant they at least had something to go off of. "That must've been very jarring," she ventured. "Do you know who was attacking?"

“I do not remember but attacks were not uncommon in that era. There was much no law to this part of Scotland other than what law I created.” He said quietly with a shrug. It was a very different time to what they had now but jarring did sum up the experience of it all if he was honest. One minute he was lying on the floor bleeding out and the next he was armoured up looking at Claire trying to work out what was going on.

Magali remained quiet for a moment as she contemplated his words. There wasn't much to go on, but she could potentially still try and find out what she could from public records in town hall. That might be a place to start, at least. For now though, "Waking up in modern times must've been a culture shock. Everything so different, from dress to social norms to technology to politics."

"Very much. I was not sure what to make of anything." He smiled a little to himself as he thought about all the changes, but the biggest one he could think of was that Scotland, Wales, and England would be one united kingdom and island. It had only been a matter of time, in his opinion, for the Scots to survive their wild ways.

Magali nodded, contemplating for a moment before continuing. "I could try and help figure out more about what happened to you. Is that something you would appreciate? I can understand if not, and that's ok." She had some idea she could try that maybe he hadn't yet. Her vastly greater experience with modern times would help here, for sure.

“You can try but Pheebs has looked often when she can and has found nothing.” William said surprised that someone would be so inclined to help him. They had rarely said anything other than hello or as they called it now small talk.

"I do not claim to have ideas she hasn't tried or that I believe I can do a better job - far from it. Phoebe is a very smart and capable women. But I wouldn't mind trying. It'd be something to do," she - ... only mildly lied. Between her work and her own hobbies, first and foremost trying to restore that old Unimog back to working condition, she had plenty to do. "Do you need a ride back to the castle?"

"I would appreciate anyone having a look," William said quietly. He knew Phoebe was smart and capable, but others looking would be nice. "I do not need a lift. I have a ride when they are free from having a pub lunch." He said, smiling. "But thank you for offering."

"You're welcome," she smiled. "I'll leave you to it then. Until next we meet, William," before with a nod she headed back towards the exit.