Emptiness

Chapter 9, Chronicle I
By William Black

... But this night was not for resting. It was for planning. When Morgana sensed him next to her, she turned and rested her arm across his chest. "Morgana, this is how it could be if only you would but ask." Will said in a whisper, and then turned his mind to the battle yet to come. Dumah sought him, the poison raged in his blood, and doubts assailed his mind and heart. He would have to come to terms with them all one way or the other.

The next morning William was up and around long before Morgana stirred. There was a damp chill in the air, and the ground was soggy with dew. Yet he had a hearty breakfast made and a steaming pot of tea on the fire to cheer them on their way.

Morgana moved lazily in the bedroll, sniffed the air once, and rolled onto her chest to look up at the knight. "Good morning, Will. Whatever you cooked smells delicious!"

"Just some hot cereal to get the day off to a warm start."

"Come now, you can think of better ways to get the day off to a ‘warm start’ can’t you", she said seductively. Her smile was almost too much for the knight.

"Beloved, does this mean you forgive me?" Will looked rather doubtful at her. He knew her fluctuating moods, but he also knew her heart.
"I can’t stay angry at you for very long, you know that." She gave him a kind smile, "It’s just that I am a little confused right now. Let’s not talk about it. We have a long journey ahead of us." With that Morgana was out of the bedroll and dressing herself. Soon she was seated by the fire eating the bowl of cereal Will had handed to her. "Will, how long from here do you think it will take to get back?" She knew, but wanted to engage him in conversation.

"Oh, maybe most of the day. We should be in sight of Morion’s Castle by dusk. I have a feeling we will meet an escort along the way." Will did have a sense of what was to come, but kept his feelings to himself. He had already started shutting away that part of him which was most vulnerable to her.

The sun warmed the earth causing wisps of mist to rise like smoke from the damp sod. Willow danced with energy as the knight finished stowing his camping gear on her saddle.

"Morgana, it’s time to go." Will looked over to where the enchantress sat. She seemed deep in thought, but at his voice she was instantly on her feet and climbing onto Willow’s back.

"It’s your turn to be a back seat driver," she said with a mischievous grin. After he had situated himself comfortably behind her, she shouted, "Hold on tight!" With this she spurred Willow into a fast canter, throwing Will slightly off balance, so he had to quickly tighten his grip. "That’s more like it," she purred.

Soon she slowed Willow to a comfortable walking gate and started conversing as if nothing had happened between them since their very first meeting and the present. Will enjoyed the conversation immensely, but of course with her he always did. She never bored him. The hours seemed to roll by. By mid-afternoon they were both very tired of riding and decided to stop at a spring to rest a bit. Willow seemed the happiest of all just to stand there and chew on tender grass.

"Will, Morion has some hard questions for you. I hope you are prepared to be open and above board with her." Morgana’s face grew serious. "She has possession of the Dark Crystal. She was born with certain abilities, but that crystal enhances her natural gifts ten-fold. With it she is almost our equal. Please be completely honest with her."

"Beloved, I know of the crystal’s power, and I sensed Morion’s when we first met. Trust me, I will be honest to the questions she asks. You know me. I don’t lie, I just periodically misdirect." At this the knight smiled, but Morgana only watched him with keen interest. "Okay! Don’t worry, you will be there to give her your council as to the validity of my answers."

"Yes, I will. But Will, you must understand something else before we get there." Morgana’s expression went solemn and somewhat sad. "I have someone waiting for me."

She did not offer who, nor what it was about, so the knight didn’t question. He just responded, "Okay." He knew there was something more, but for some reason Morgana did not talk further about it. In fact, she fell silent.

"Well, we had better get going." The knight was on his feet and mounted before Morgana had a chance to protest. But he noted with interest she just mounted quietly behind him and remained stolid. Will set Willow out at a trot and let the matter rest for another time.

As evening approached, Will noticed a change in the atmosphere. It was as if the air were charged with static electricity. He knew that soon Morion’s Keep would come into view, but the energy it projected was incredible. Very few others, except those born of magick or who had innate abilities, could feel it as he did. It was refreshing like an early morning shower, or like the sight of the rainbow after a cleansing downpour. Even Morgana perked up. But her sadness also increased. Will wondered greatly at her.

They both saw the riders at the same time. Coming off a hill in the distance, a mounted patrol with banners flying galloped towards them. "Will, look! I know the lead horseman. It’s the one known as ‘the First Knight’; one of Morion’s most respected protectors. Unfortunately, no one knows his real name save Morion herself. And Wind Walker is also with them. My, such an elite escort, you should feel honoured!"

But what heartened the knight most was the noble screech descending from the clouds high above them. Arrow arched his way over the plain to where his beloved Master was. Once the eagle reached Will and Morgana, he circled lazily over-head waiting for the riders to catch up.

Soon the patrol was upon them. "Hail, Sir William and Lady Morgana," the First knight began with a hearty tone. "We have been awaiting your arrival." With that he signalled to one of his men who was leading a saddled horse without a rider. "This is for you, Lady Morgana. Compliments of Sir Robert de Wood."

Will noted that Morgana fidgeted at the name, but said nothing. "Morgana, you are more than welcome to ride with me. Willow doesn’t mind in the slightest." Will said quietly. He was uncertain as to who Sir Robert de Wood was to Morgana, but the knight’s heart felt suddenly numb. He could penetrate her heart with his thoughts to learn the truth, but this was too much like violating a woman.

Morgana looked at the First knight and to the guard leading her mount. "No thanks, I have a ride!" With this she gripped Will around the waist and squeezed Willow ever so lightly, but it was enough to send the horse into a bright canter, leaving the escort several stunned meters behind. Her laughter was infectious.

It did not take the escort long to catch up, but Will kept to the lead. The First knight trotted up next to him, and Wind Walker stayed a few horse-lengths behind. "Tell me of your adventures. We could gather bits and pieces from Arrow," the First knight pointed to the raptor circling above them, "but not much detail."

Will felt Morgana tense ever so slightly, but he was not about to reveal things better left unsaid. "After leaving Lady Catherine and entering the Dark Wood, Lady Morgana came to me. Apparently she felt I needed an escort too." He kept his voice level and matter-of-fact. "I believe," and here Will looked back at Morgana, "she felt that the poison left in my system might somehow do me in before I made it back to Morion’s realm. We had to fight our way out of the Dark Wood, for Dumah’s minions tried to take me there. We also met a band of rather foolish bandits. Morgana proved to be a very loyal friend and a good ally. I would hate to be without her." At this Morgana tensed again, but her hug grew more loving.

Will noticed that the First knight looked rather confused. He gave Morgana a questioning look, but Will could not see the response in her eyes. Again, his heart took a thump, but he chided himself. He wondered if it was too late for them. Why should he hope for more than he already had? The answer was plain, "because she was worth it, and his love for her was incredible."

Soon they were at Morion’s river. It was said that this river started from a magical spring deep within the Dark Wood. In fact, the upper portion of the river was known as "the Dark River"; rather a foreboding name for such a beautiful stream.

The First knight guided them to a shallow where crossing would be easiest. He took the lead, Will and Morgana followed, then Wind Walker and finally the rest of the escort. Arrow flew on ahead as if to make sure no surprises awaited the company. Will noted with interest that Arrow was accompanied by some other large birds. Their outline in the waning light suggested great owls. Why not? An eagle’s sight was not made for night. The owls would help him in his scouting.

The small band past many tiny villages and hamlets on the way, but no trouble presented itself. This made Will curious. He asked the First knight the reason behind the escort.

The First knight remained thoughtful for a moment before answering, then said, "Sir, though peace has reigned for sometime in Morion’s Realm, there are those who would disturb it. Early on in her reign, a Lord by the name of Morgath tried to take that which did not belong to him; first by proposal of marriage and alliance, then by stealth. He made a pact with demons. These same entities still exist and wish for that which they failed to achieve before." He paused, looked around at the escort, then continued, "These brave lads you see here in this company are my most trusted knights. We have fought many a battle together. The demons and others know of our skills and capabilities, thus leave those we attend alone. Morion deemed it necessary to ‘protect’ you on your way, just in case the demons struck again."

Will looked at the big man, then with a wry smile said, "I am well able to take care of myself against my enemies and those of your realm," he hesitated for a moment before continuing, the malevolent poison moving within him in urgent need, "I am well protected." He reached back and gave Morgana a loving squeeze on the thigh, "Besides, I could not ask for a more protective ally than the Lady here."

Morgana ignored him. However, she was the first to mention the sparks of light shining gaily on a small rise in the middle of the plain. "Morion’s Keep," she whispered to Will. He nodded silently and urged Willow forward.

The escort assumed a V-formation as they neared the main road leading to the castle. Guards on the parapets must have sent up an alert, for trumpet blared heralding the companies approach.

As the small band came close to the castle wall, the draw bridge was lowered. The sound of its heavy chains unwinding echoed over the plain. But Will was not eager to enter the Keep. His mind kept returning to the beautiful woman who sat so close behind him. He wanted her so badly, yet her heart was not totally with him. Maybe this was as it should be, but the pain was no less for it. She would tell him to "get a life", but was exactly what he had tried to do with Catherine, or was it Morgana. He laughed sadly to himself.

Guards stood to each side of the path as the company guided their mounts to the main courtyard. Morion and a number of advisors came down the palace steps to greet the new arrivals. "Well met, First knight! Well met, Morgana and Wind Walker! And a very hearty welcome to you, Sir William. We have been eagerly expecting you."

"Dear Lady," Will returned in response. He noticed a tall man approaching him, but the man’s eyes were totally for Morgana.

"My love, it is good to see that you are safe." The man helped Morgana down off Willow, ignoring the knight with her. William noticed that she did not protest nor hesitate, but seemed to glide into the noble’s arms. They kissed passionately and started to move off. Morgana did not turn back to see what was in Will’s eyes.

As Will dismounted, he wondered if the coming confrontation with Dumah would be anymore painful than what he felt at seeing Morgana leave in the arms of another.

Morion came to William and put her arm around his. She noticed the pain in his eyes but ignored it, trying to draw him into more light-hearted conversation. "Will, your eagle is a great source of information. You are lucky to have such friends. I will be interested in hearing of your adventures, but for now food, drink, a hot bath, and a warm bed await you. Tomorrow you will meet with my advisors, for we really want to know more about you and the quest you are on."

William looked at the lovely Lady Morion and thought that it would be hard to keep anything from her. Yet at this moment, all he felt was emptiness. An emptiness and dark foreboding that he could not reveal to anyone. In his mind he wondered about his Lady, no not his, another’s. "Morgana, I love you," was the last thought he had before entering into the brightness of the palace.

William Black ©


Continues...


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