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Chronicle II, Chapter 2 Doubts By William Black The next morning brought clearing, though the earth still smelled of damp grass and mud from the previous day's showers. People didn't seem to mind. The fair was going better than expected partially due to Gardain's challenge. Bookmakers were having a heyday giving odds, taking bets, and giving advice to anyone whom wanted to "make a little wager". It wasn't their fault if most fairgoers wanted to place a few bets on the side. Even thrifty housewives were out trying to make a bit extra without their spouses knowing. Yes, today was going quite well for all concerned. Some of Morion's servants were out preparing the list for the first joust of the day. Both soldiers and knights went about making sure their equipment was ready for the forthcoming contests. Each sending a silent prayer to heaven that fortune would smile on them. All except Sir Robert. He believed in himself and his skills, and this pride was not unjustified. He was the equal of any knight in Morion's realm, and the better of most. His reputation was known in other realms also. No, he had reason to be proud. Light poured into the apartment the knight shared with his beloved Lady. Robert had risen late, for he hated getting out of bed when Morgan was in such a receptive mood. Yet he had to get ready, he reminded himself. "Morgan looked up from their bed as he made himself ready. She loved how his muscles rippled as he put his shirt on. The thought of his body next to hers caused her to grin mischievously. "Sure you need to get up this early?" She patted the bed and smiled innocently." He looked at her with longing, but his desire to watch the games overcame her enticements. "My Lady, of all the times in the world for you to attempt to seduce me!" He grinned at her, "But I really must be prepared. Watching the contests helps me to focus my mind. You'll try and understand, won't you?" His expression was hopeful. She lay there with a little pout to her lower lip. It melted his heart and he stepped over to lie next to her. "That's better," she said as her hand slipped under his shirt to explore his chest. "Morgan, stop. I really must be going." With this he gave her a solid kiss and jumped to his feet. With a quick 'goodbye' he was out the door, fearing his resolve would not hold up against his desire for her. She watched him go and an irrational anger overcame her. "You're just like that blasted Druid, always dedicated to something other than me!" Guilt flooded her heart as she finished the thought. She really should not think about William in that way. It was not fair to him. It was not his fault that she had met Robert first. Besides, he wasn't around to hear her regrets. He was dead. It was best to try and forget about him all together. With this settled in her mind, though she reminded herself that she thought she came to closure on Will a thousand times before, she got out of bed and made ready for the days festivities. She decided on a simple brown dress. No need to overdue the attire on the first day. The last day, during the big banquet, she would wear her most stunning of outfits. She would make all eyes turn to her, outshining even her Lady Morion in beauty and style. Morgan felt good about the coming events, though in her mind she worried. She thought about that a moment. Was it because she doubted the skills of the knights and soldiers that protected this realm? Or was it because she had always practiced magic but had giving it up when Will died, and felt empty without it? Without him? "There you go again," she chastised herself out loud, "thinking of the dead." Then it hit her, Will was dead. Before this, she had felt somehow he was still alive, yet just not around. That somehow, miraculously he would show up. The thought never really occurred to her that she would not see him again. Not in this life-time anyway. Tears sprang to her eyes, and she wept. "My Lady, are you all right?" came a small voice from the doorway. Lady Ann was standing next to the door, half in and half out of the room. "Forgive me for entering without knocking, but I heard your weeping and felt I should check on you. Please forgive my boldness." Her eyes were filled with concern. "No, no. It's fine. Do please come in. I am just emotional today. Must be the excitement and worry surrounding Gardain's challenge. Please do have a sit." Morgan pulled up a chair for Ann, then sat on the edge of the bed facing her friend. "I admit, I am nervous about that fellow. The worst part is I cannot sense any magic in him. Not an ounce. Everyone exhibits a bit of the power within them. It's a part of life, but with this fellow there is nothing." "What do you think it means?" Ann's interest was peeked. She had no magic of her own. At least not any she consciously knew about, but Morgan was always telling her she had a powerful aura. Morgan looked at her, then down at her hands. "I am not sure. The fellow could be hiding his magic, which is entirely possible. If this is true, he is more dangerous than anything we have faced before. It would mean that he has enough skill to use magic to hide magic. But if he is not doing this, then there is only one other alternative, and I cannot for an instant understand or believe it." "What? What is the other alternative?" "The only other way to not reveal even the slightest amount of magic is to truly not have any. But all life has it; all life." "So you're telling me that this Gardain is possibly not even alive. We have a zombie creature running loose around here!" Ann stood up and paced slowly back and forth. "You know, this could be the answer. A body animated by something other than its own soul would appear to have no magic. In fact, it would fear the life power in others. Yes, this makes sense." "Now, let's not go believing unsubstantiated notions. I'm just telling you that it worries me that I cannot feel life within him. He is dangerous. This I know." "I agree with you. And you must be particularly cautious around him for he has taken an interest in you, my Lady". Morgan laughed. "What do you mean? Just because the man is a lecher and looks with lustful eyes at every woman he sees does not mean he is interested in me. Anyway, if he comes anywhere near me, I will kill him." Morgan's eyes flared red with anger at the thought of him touching her. If he got too close he would feel the point of her rapier between his ribs. She shook her head to clear it of the irritation she felt. "Let's go and find Lady Morion. We should get out to the fairgrounds and mingle with the little people." Morgan's eyes danced with her joke. She had been one of those 'little people' once in her life and never forgot from whence she came. She treated all, both low and high, with the greatest respect, unless they crossed her. That was a different matter. Then it was open season on the offender no matter who it was. Morgan relished revenge. They were soon walking amongst the other fairgoers, enjoying the sights and smells of the day. Morgan loved to shop. Though she knew it sometimes irritated Robert, she also knew he loved to see her in new outfits or pieces of jewelry. When she was happy, he received the benefits, and she knew he loved those benefits. A slight smile crossed her face at the thought. Ann was watching her. Morgan's moods changed erratically, but most people in the realm came to accept this of her. Ann particularly liked Morgan and secretly wished she were more of Morgan's style. Morgan continued to wander down the path, but when she came to the junction to take them to the "field of combat" she instead turned the opposite direction. "My Lady, where are you going?" Ann looked at her curiously. "Something in me is saying to go this way." "But we are taking the wrong way. This is the back way out of the city. There is no one out there now, they'll all be at the fair or gathering to watch the tilting matches. Jousting matches were not among Morgan's favorite things to witness, but she did like to cheer her lover on. However, her inner voice urged her to go this way. As they walked, the small houses on either side of the narrow road gave way to farmer's fields and scattered ponds. The day was growing warm and Morgan started to question the wisdom of her inner voice. Yet she kept watching for whatever might be attracting her to this lonely spot. Ann was growing more nervous with every step. "Morgan, let's go back. Something is not right" "Oh, and now you have the second sight? Since when? Morgan chuckled at her friend until she looked full at Ann's face. There was fear reflected there. But why? A mile later they saw what appeared to be a dark splotch in the middle of a wheat field. As they drew closer, they saw it was a solitary tent, the size an errant knight might use on a quest. Morgan's inner call emanated from there. Though she was curious, she wasn't stupid. Her rapier was back in her apartment, and she didn't feel confident enough to go on further without it. Besides not only was she forbidden to use magic during the festival, she quite frankly forgot how. Oh, she could perform simple tricks and conjures, but since Will's death she had little use or desire to keep up with the practice. And she had Ann to think about. The young woman next to her was not a coward by any means, but she was without family and Morgan took it upon herself to be Ann's protector, friend, and advisor. She was all the family Ann had. "We better get back, I saw what I needed." Just then a figure seemed to separate itself from the tent. It was not Gardain, or at least it didn't feel like him. This creature had magic and of the worst sort. The tingling sensation it gave Morgan was like that of a desert demon. A creature that survived in the wastelands south of Morion's realm, down near what used to be the kingdom of Morgath. It took note of the two women and started to head in their direction. Its stride, though awkward, was quick and strong. Morgan took hold of Ann's hand and urged her to run back towards the city. As they ran, Morgan thought about the demon's appearance. How was it that a desert demon found its way so close to Morion's main stronghold? But the answer was simple. No magic to cause it fear. No sorcery to alert the inhabitants of Morion's realm to its presence. A dark creature here and there would not cause too much concern. As the woman ran, Morgan looked over her shoulder. What she saw spurred her on faster. Ann too sensed the demon gaining on them. Ann looked back and as she did she tripped over a stone lying in the middle of the road. It sent her sprawling onto the ground, causing a little dust cloud to poof all around her. Morgan paused to help. This gave the demon time to close the distance quickly. The two ladies were still a mile outside the city as the demon bore down on them. Its mouth open, it meant to devour its hapless victims. A loud scream from the sky caused the demon to look up, just as sharp talons raked across its unprotected eyes. The demon wailed in pain and anger. But the woman used the distraction to gain a hefty lead on their stricken pursuer. Arrow wheeled overhead, giving a sense that he was rather pleased with himself at how the demon situation was handled. As for the dark creature itself, it stumbled about blinding, its eyes damaged beyond repair. Still cursing and wailing in pain, it tried to make its way back to the tent from which it came. Demons have other senses by which to navigate, and this one, thought badly injured, knew where healing could be found. It slowly crawled on all fours back to the tent from whence it came. Morgan and Ann soon ran back into the heart of the city, hot and panting, but very glad to be home. Their first act was to quietly notify Tactus, the Captain of the Guard, about the presence of the demon. Tactus called one of his lieutenants to notify Morion of the situation. He then called several of his best archers and foot-soldiers to accompany him to look into the matter. If the demon were found, he wouldn't live long, the Captain vowed to himself. Though he secretly begrudged the fact that he would miss the opening jousts. His brother would be first up against Gardain. He didn't want to miss that. But duty was duty. As the Captain led his men out the back road, Morion caught up to Morgan and Ann. "So tell me, are you all right? Ann, you look a little ruffled, do you want to go get cleaned up? "My Lady, I am fine. Really. I would rather go watch the games and take my mind off of what just happened. But I could use some refreshments." Morion led them to a vendor of wines and juices. As she did so she asked, "Why did you go out to the fields? How did you know the demon was there?" As the bartender poured the drinks, Morgan explained, "My Lady, we didn't know anything about the demon. Yet, something in me made me curious. I didn't know what I was looking for, but something called me out there. Ann was really nervous about the situation, but I didn't sense any danger. Then we saw the tent. I thought it might be that of Sir Gardain's. I was hoping to learn his real motives for being her. Then the demon appeared." "If not for Arrow, we wouldn't have made it back," Ann added. Morion looked at the two women, then glanced up at the sky where Arrow still held his aerial vigil on the scene below. "Yes, that eagle is rather special, to say the least. Just like his former Master. Morgan's heart flinched with the thought that Morion too had loved him, her Druid Knight. Another stab of guilt sent a shock through her heart. Crap. Why couldn't she just accept his death? Why did he continue to intrude himself on her heart and mind? Why did she feel guilty every time she thought of him? Her love of him should have nothing to do with her love for Robert. Yet her lover would not see it this way. She was happy and content with Robert. Theirs was a good relationship. But... It was Ann who brought her mind back to the present. "Morgan was wonderful. She showed no fear of the demon, just prudence in running. I know that sounds funny, but she didn't have her sword with her. And I never carry one. I think I'll start." She looked at them with a slight sideways grin. "Running is a wise thing to do. There is no shame in it; at least not in this situation." The women, refreshed with their drinks, nodded in response. "What do you say we get to our box and watch the games." Morion wove her arms between those of Morgan and Ann, and the three of them walked together to the field where the jousts would take place. As they neared the field, more and more people joined them in their trek to where the games would be played. Young children ran ahead of their elders to gain the best possible seats near or on the fences surrounding the field. Young women clumped together to discuss the virtues of this or that knight. While the knights themselves went to present themselves to the Ladies they hoped to represent. The lucky ones received scarves tucked into their armor or hair ribbons tied around their lances. Guards were posted strategically to make sure any over-zealous spectators could be held in check. It would not bode well if a riot broke out due to ill feelings towards Sir Gardain. The sun was high as the first defender took to the field. The crowd cheered joyfully as Sir Lawrence, the younger brother of the Captain of the guard, took his place at the end of the list. His armor shown silvery in the sun, and the device on his shield reflected his love for his sovereign. It showed a quartz crystal on a heart background. His helmet sported a small replica of the Dark Crystal itself. The crowd's cheers died away as another took the field. Sir Gardain rode out on a fine black war-horse. The knight was large by anyone's standards, but this would make him an easy target for the slight and limber Sir Lawrence. The helmet on Gardain's head was crowned by what appeared to be bat wings. His armor was gray in the noon light. It didn't reflect the sun like Lawrence's, but instead seemed to defuse it so that little was reflected back. Morgan took note of this. Sort of like his soul, she thought to herself. William Black © Continues... Chronicle II, Main page |