Interlude Search for Avalaon Part I

This was supposed to be a short story, but I had to keep it in my main story as there are too many important facts that cannot be omitted if a reader didn't read this portion of the story. It's too integral to separate from the main plot. However, with that said, it is not directly connected with Eli's main story line of gaining power or fighting against the future factions. Thus, I created my story's first interlude chapter and before I knew it, the entire thing was over 10K words, so I had to make my first two-parter.

For readers who know my interest, I am a huge fan of the historical mystery and adventure genre. Indiana Jones and Dan Brown may be pulp, but the stories are very cool. As such, I went about creating my own elaborate mystery with a blend of myth, history, foreign languages, and ancient script. Japanese timekeeping is actually counting backward versus forwards as Takechiyo mentioned in my story, the Japanese look at time based on the point of a melting candle, i.e. depletion rather than accumulation in western mindsets. Additionally, instead of using numbers for their ancient clocks, the Japanese imported the Chinese method of hourly measurement by using 12 Zodiac animal spread across two hour periods and split between Day time Zodiac versus Night time Zodiac. This clock was famously used in ancient during the Tang Dynasty, but it was abandoned in later Dynasties. However, Japan even during 16th Century, would still be using this kind of timekeeping system. It's a type of cultural knowledge that you may not know unless you're a big Otaku.

Some other stuff to consider, I made several references in this chapter to things that will play important roles for a meta reference about why I am such a fan of this era in history. As a kid, I did not automatically fall in love with history, art, or culture, but there was a certain TV show from Disney that made me a huge fan of Medieval British history and the Science Fantasy genre that I am currently writing in. In Part II, the homage will be revealed, but you can already tell from certain words in this chapter where I drew my inspiration.

References:

1. Edward Clinton was Lord High Admiral of the Royal Navy during both Edward VI and Elizabeth I reigns. He was a capable naval commander and was credited with the seizure of the City of Boulogne in France under Henry VIII. I am not sure if he's related to a certain American President with a love for young ladies, but even so, it would be many generations removed from this British Royal Navy man.

2. Yes, Ultima Thule was the name of Greenland during the 15th and 16th centuries. It was also used to name imaginary locations on maps north or west of England throughout history. 

3. As for Vatnahverfi, the disappearance of the Vikings from Greenland remains a major historical mystery today. Several fringe theories have alluded to lay lines and mystical portals over the years, along with conspiracy theories. 

4. That tale about a fairy king and the construction of St. Michael's Church in Glastonbury is taken from the mythology of the town. It was a perfect concept that fit into my story. There are a lot of fairy stories around Western England, so I just incorporated them. Additionally, Glastonbury is the home of a lot of New Age groups, who are trying to find the Holy Grail, King Arthur, and so on. Using this place as the starting point of an Avalon search just feels right.

5. As for my use of Runes, I am not sure how many people are familiar with Norse Runes or deciphering the various codes from these symbolic alphabets. It's a literary connection for Jack Hume's bookloving nature, which his boyfriend Eric now Eli would know.