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Dark Dreaming Chapter 2, Chronicle I By William Black It was late when Morion finally traversed the long hallway to her chambers. All day she had been troubled by wisps of visions; of feelings from another place. The day was as eventful as any in her realm. She had dispatched her duties with cold efficiency, yet the visionings broke in at the most inappropriate times. She consulted with her many advisors concerning the portents, but was disappointed that Wind Walker was on a quest and unable to avail her with his insights. Her resident Wizard used what magic he knew to try and determine the source of the visions, but to no avail. Lady Morion sought advice from Lady Morgana. However, she too failed to find the source of the trouble. Morion cleared her mind. "I have thought about this long enough," she chided herself. As Morion entered her room she noticed Arrow sitting placidly on the window ledge. Since the Druid Knight’s first visit the great eagle had been Morion’s constant companion. The eagle's golden eyes flickered. Morion went over and stroked the raptor's cheek feathers. Arrow gave her a soft chick-like "cheap" that belied his fierce strength. "William has great faith in you, Arrow," she said continuing to stroke the eagle’s cheek. "I do too, yet I wish you could reveal to me who and what he is. Is he a Knight of Saint John? A Druid? Both? If so, how could he be both? Or perhaps he is just another adventurer out to make a name for himself? If he IS just an adventurer, I shall truly be disappointed in him! I command you to let him know this the next time you see him!" Morion giggled and looked deep into the raptor’s eyes. The great eagle tilted his head a bit as if considering her questions, but gave no hint as to the answers. With that she turned, walked to her bed, and plopped down unceremoniously. She was asleep within minutes. The eagle cocked its head as if to get a better view of his mistress, then turning, he flew out of the window into the moonlit night. The dream came as any other; bits and pieces without meaning in themselves. Then the images began to coalesce. A knight stood in a devastated wood where the plants and trees were burnt, as if by acid. Their leaves blotched and withered. The air smelled of death and a thin ghost-like fog clung close to the ground. The knight faced three spectres; two were human in form and heavily armoured. The other creature was a thing out of a child’s nightmare. The beast was naked and had thick leather-like skin. Claws extended from its paws, but it stood on its hind legs like a man. Its mouth, open as if in death’s scream, contained double rows of dagger like teeth. The lone knight wore a surcoat; clearly visible was the Cross of Saint John on a field of an oak tree. His scimitar flashed in the sunlight as if brought to life by fire. His adversaries barely kept out of his range. They were waiting for an opening, but the knight’s skill kept them at bay. Then the two human assailants attacked before their unworldly partner could react. They pressed in on the Druid knight; their broadswords hammering away at his determined parrying. He fell to the ground, but quickly rolled to one side while lifting his left hand to send a bolt of fire racing towards the nearest of the attackers. The fire found its mark and the enemy burst into flames. The other knight, startled by this sudden turn of events, hesitated a moment too long. The Druid knight had regained his footing and lunged with full force at his confused enemy. The scimitar found its mark. The warrior went down with only a slight gasp. "Two down, one more to go," Morion mentally applauded her knight. Then her vision shifted. William, the Druid knight, was bleeding badly from the back of his shoulder. Why had she not seen his wound before? Her protector appeared tired, and his movements were becoming sluggish. The nightmarish creature circled like a wolf around a wounded stag. William tired to keep the creature in front of him, but it was quick at manoeuvring around his defences. William attacked, yet without warning the creature’s appearance changed. Where once stood a fearsome spectre, a beautiful woman now appeared. "Morion!" the knight hesitated. That was all his enemy needed. With a suddenness that startled Morion, the creature attacked. William hammered down on the beast; only to have the blade of his scimitar shatter into pieces like glass. "How can this be?! Who’s magic and treachery is this?!" Morion wanted to scream. The creature pulled William into a hug, only to tear at the hapless knight’s back with its bear like claws. Then the creature released the knight and flung him to the ground. William went down hard; his body limp. Blood seeped from under where the Knight of St. John lay. The creature let out a hideous howl; its victory certain. It did not notice William’s fingers digging into the warm earth. Then Morion heard it. It came as a faint but distinctive rumble. She had felt earthquakes before. The nightmare heard it too. It looked around for an approaching enemy; maybe on horseback; its primitive mind reasoned. Then the creature saw it. Blue sparks started to fly out from between the earth and where William’s body lay. The sparks grew brighter and the rumbling more intense. The creature wailed in horror and rage. Vines appeared around its feet and grew quickly. At first the beast was successful at pulling itself free. But the vines were persistent. The rumblings continued and the sparks flew like fireflies from where William lay. The creature’s eyes grew red with fear and anger. The vines were entwining it. Its monstrous limbs fought in vain against the floral enemy. The vines grew thick and combined with other vines creating a cage that nothing could escape from. Bark merge with bark forming the trunk of a huge tree. The creature’s panic rose. It twisted and turned, straining against the enclosing doom. Finally, its moans died away as the plants finished their work. Where once stood a demonic creature, there now stood a green protective sentinel. Its limbs strong. Its branches reaching for the sun. The air cleared and the sickening fog crept silently away. But the knight lay where he had fallen. As she woke, Morion’s tears flowed freely, and her hair was matted with perspiration on her face. Loud pounding on her chamber door brought Morion fully awake. She quickly dried her face, for the tears were real. Lady Anne and Lady Morgana accompanied by the First knight and the Wizard were standing outside. "Lady Morion, are you all right?" Anne’s voice was noticeably shaking. "We heard you scream, my Lady," the First knight continued. Morion opened the door; her eyes red with tears. "What is wrong, Lady? What has happened?!" The Wizard approached and placed his hands on Morion’s shoulders to comfort her. "I had a dream, or what I think was a dream. It matched the visionings I had yesterday. Our friend the Druid knight.," Morion’s voice faltered. The First knight took her hand and led her to sit on the edge of the bed. "Tell us what you saw." Lady Morion recounted the dream in great depth. Her companions remained silent, only interrupting to clarify certain points. As Morion finished recounting the dream, a breeze entered the room from the still opened window. The Wizard moved to shut the opening, but as he did so, Arrow made an abrupt appearance; his great wings sending a strong gust of air at the startled man. Morion was instantly on her feet. She went to the eagle knowing that it alone knew the truth as to William’s whereabouts and his well-being. Morion noticed a leather thong with a pouch hanging around the great eagle’s neck. She gently removed the necklace and opened the pouch. It contained a scroll of parchment, but her hands were shacking so badly that Lady Anne took the note and started to read for all to hear. "Lady Morion," began the note, "your knight is in no shape to write you letters, but please be assured that he is alive and well. He will receive the best care I can offer him. Besides, he is a strong and stubborn man. I will see to it that he is able to return to you and to his quest (for he speaks of little else). I only ask that you pray for him, for he seeks not his own, but dares so much." Sincerely, Lady Catherine. "Who the heck is ‘Lady Catherine’?" The First knight looked confused. Lady Morgana’s face tensed with recognition, but she recovered quickly, hoping no one had caught sight of her feelings. Yet Lady Morion had noticed, and made a mental note to ask Morgana about it later when they were alone. The Wizard looking at Lady Morion and spoke in a serious voice, "I have never heard of Lady Catherine, but this strange knight of yours; Christian, Druid, or whatever he is, seems to have some very good and powerful friends. But he also has some powerful enemies! When he comes back to you, I suggest we get to know him better; much better!" Lady Morion glanced at the Wizard and nodded, yet thought to herself, "Indeed, we must get to know this warrior better. And I swear I will!" The tears were gone, replaced with diamond hard determination. Morgana looked deep into the heart of her sovereign Lady, and remained silent. William Black © Continues... Chronicle I, Main page |