Chronicle II, Chapter 4

Dreams

By William Black



Morgan walked out into the front garden, trying to collect her thoughts before she went to talk with Gardain's squire. She wondered if he were alone, since that was the only way he would feel comfortable enough to speak with her.

Torchlight reflected in the fountain, the drops sparkling like millions of little fireflies. She loved how they twinkled in the still night air and the sound of water splashing back into the pool from whence it was drawn. She wondered if the twinkling lights reflected of the ripples in the pool were how stories of fairies got started. Some people within the realm claimed to have seen real fairies, but she could not recall ever seeing one herself, though her belief in such things was unwavering.

She looked down to the lights of the town below her, laughter floated up on the wings of a gentle breeze. She could hear music from the pubs and taverns. The town was alive with people trying to forget the embarrassments of the day. Trying to think of happier times when the knights of Morion's Realm where the most respected warriors around. Working hard at forgetting the wagers lost. Yes, the town was showing off its beloved nightlife so people could forget their troubles for a few brief hours.

She wished William, no, she meant Robert. Yes, she wished Robert were here to share it with her. Tears sprang to her eyes with the confusion of her heart. What had she done by accepting both men into her life, except causing herself a lot of guilt? Well, a lot of happiness too. She smiled to herself. She wished she could change the past.

Ann interrupted her thoughts just in time. Morgan was becoming maudlin.

"My Lady, are you okay. Robert had no right to say the things he did. And as for David, I am extremely angry with him too. He was a complete poop!"

Morgan noted that Ann didn't use the formal title of 'Sir' before their names. Yes, she was growing up to be her own woman. Morgan was proud of her.

"I think we should go to the list and see if Gardain's squire is about. It puzzles me that he appeared so terrified of this master."

"Yes, that concerns me also. However, let's do ourselves both a favor." Ann paused to make sure she really meant what she was about to say. "Let's get your rapier and one for me too."

Morgan chuckled. "Your really are growing up to be a fine young lady. If I have not said it before, I say it now, I am proud of you. I could not have a better friend."

Morgan led the way to her apartments. Once there, she felt odd going in knowing that Robert would not be there this night. She hoped he was sleeping comfortable.

The room was still, unnaturally so. Something in the back of her mind warned her of a presence within the darkness. Though she was not afraid, she wanted to be cautious. Ann stood behind her. "My Lady, is all well. Let's go in."

Morgan lit a lantern that immediately dispelled the gloom of the apartment. Her eyes quickly adjusted to the light as she stepped confidently into the room. Ann followed, not sensing anything amiss. Morgan knew something was lurking nearby, but could not ferret out what.

She walked to her dresser and opened the bottom drawer. Within her rapier was in its velvet sheath. There was an older blade too. One that Robert had given to her on their first year anniversary. But her rapier was one the William had given her on one of their quests together. It was engraved with runes and the phrase, "Until time and times pass away"; a reference to his undying love of her.

"Here, take this." She handed her friend the sword Robert had given to her.
Ann tested the balance and weight of the blade. It fit her perfectly. "Well, I think we're all set. Let that blasted demon come after us now!"

"Be careful what you wish for. It could be closer than you think, or one of its relatives." Morgan walked to the door, turned to scan the room with her eyes one more time, then blew out the lantern and locked the door. Whatever was in the room was content to just watch. Morgan would deal with it upon her return.

The two women walked out into the night air anticipating trouble, but praying silently that there would be none. They walked quickly and with purpose down the path leading to the field where Sir Gardain's tent was. Morgan tried to use her sixth sense to discover whether Gardain was there or if the squire was somewhere alone. Somewhere he would feel comfortable talking to them.

Then night was growing late when they arrived at the list. Gardain's tent was illuminated by four torches; one at each corner. Morgan ventured close enough to hear a voice coming from inside. The sound was low and monotone, as if in meditative chant. Only one voice though. It was Gardain's for sure. That meant the squire was out. Hopefully he was close by and not at one of the local taverns.

They walked around the tent and back to where the horses were quartered. They found the boy huddled next to the war-horse. He was twitching as if having a bad dream. But his eyes were open. Morgan knelt down next to him.

"Boy, can we speak with you a moment?" Morgan began. The boy didn't look up. He continued to twitch and his eyes never blinked. "Lad, are you all right? Boy?" She snapped her fingers before the boy's face. The only response was that the boy started to rock back-and-forth.

"My Lady, I think we should leave. The chanting has stopped. Gardain may be alert to our presence."

Morgan stood up and looked around. The only other beings near by were the other horses stabled there. But it would not do well to be caught here by Sir Gardain. Morgan led Ann to the back of the stable. There was a door leading out to another path, different than the one that they had come on. Morgan paused to try and sense the presence of danger. Something moved in the night, but it wasn't malevolent. It just watched and waited. Funny, it seemed familiar somehow. Morgan looked around but sensed nothing more. The women made their way back to the palace.

"Morgan, would you do me a favor and stay with me this night? With all that has been going on, I would feel more comfortable." Ann said as they walked into the golden light of the palace.

"I have taught you well." Morgan laughed at her friend. "But you can be honest with me. You want to be a comfort to me since what happened between Robert and myself. Right?

"Well, yes." Ann looked a bit sheepish. "I was thinking we could also discuss our next moves concerning Gardain's squire. He seemed to be under some sort of spell. Either that or drugged."

"Drugged more than likely. I think the lad is addicted to something. It may be Gardain's way of controlling him. We'll keep an eye on him. But now we need sleep."

Ann led the way to her room. It was small, but well furnished. Ann loved shopping as much as Morgan, and took every opportunity to add to her collection of furnishings and collectibles. She enjoyed light woods, incense, and candles.

It didn't take long to have the whole apartment alight with a cheery glow from numerous lamps. She went to the larder for a quick snack, being one of those people who could eat all she wanted and never gain an ounce. "Will you have something with me?" She offered cheese and bread to her friend.

"No, I have to watch what I eat unlike some people I know." Morgan smiled innocently. "Well, what do you think. Is their 'evil and magic afoot' or are we really that weak without the power of the Dark Crystal to bolster our resolve?"

"Morgan, may I be completely honest?

"You had better always be honest with me?" Morgan warned.

Ann's eyes narrowed, "As you are with me?" She paused to let the implications sink in, then continued, "But that discussion is for another time. Now to your question, I really am not sure. I wonder if having the magic is not really a detriment to us." Seeing the look in Morgan's eyes, she continued, "I mean, most young people in this realm have lived all of their lives under the influence and guardianship of the Dark Crystal. They know no other life. If they move away from here, will they be prepared to live a life without magic?"

Morgan reflected back. She knew what her Druid would say. He would say that all life was magic and none are very far from it. One man's magic was another man's science. But regardless of human understanding, there were always those mysteries that could only be explained as magical. And anyway, who wanted to understand everything. Such an attitude takes the allure out of life; well, at least for people like himself. However, Morgan simply said, "You have a point." And let the matter rest. "Now, what did you mean by your quip about me being honest with you. I have opened myself up to you and have never been dishonest."

"Oh really? Then answer me this, you still love the Druid Knight don't you."

Morgan's irritation was obvious. She wondered why the question came at this time, so out of the blue. "Yes, Ann. I suppose I do."

"No, that's not good enough. Tell the truth to me regarding this matter. You love him still." It was not a question any longer, but an emphatic statement.

"Damn-it! All right! I love him still. Are you happy?! Morgan's eyes were watering, but more out of anger than sorrow.

"Then stop lying to us. Tell the truth. Be honest with the situation and things will work out a whole lot better." "So, now you are an expert on relationships. You understand all things. Crap, but you sound like Will sometimes. You even..." A funny feeling came over her and she stopped in mid-thought. "Ann, I am sorry, but this is one topic I will not discuss with you. It's private. Please respect my rights to this.

"As you wish, my Lady." Ann turned to make up the spare bed. "You can have my bed. It's far more comfortable." Ann paused as if considering the current tension in the air, "Morgan, I am sorry to have brought this up. I just think we need to get a few things in the open, that's all." Finishing the bed, she turned to look at her friend. Morgan's eyes were looking out the window into the darkness of the night, but what Ann thought she was really looking at was the darkness in her own soul. "Morgan, I'm sorry."

"Hmmm? Oh, no need to apologize. We're friends, and part of friendship is overlooking little irritations. Anyway, you're right. I have been keeping things bottled up inside. It is hard to explain my feelings. I don't understand myself sometimes. It's funny really. I sometimes think Will understood me more than anyone else alive. But I never admitted this to him. It scared me."

Yes, Ann, I loved him and love him still. I just wish I could tell him this. But..."

"Yes. But..." Ann repeated with understanding. "Let's get some sleep."

Morgan refused Ann's bed, insisting that she would really be more comfortable on the spare. Ann was too tired to argue. She didn't really understand why she confronted Morgan about the Druid. It was as if someone was feeding her the lines to say. Not that she was not curious about the answers. She was. But it was as if someone else's personality overshadowed her own, urging, not forcing, the questions to be asked. Whatever it was, she knew she could have easily resisted, but she didn't want to.

Ann finished her snack, got some water to wash it down, and then went around blowing out the candles. Finally, she slipped into her own bed and said, "Good night, my Lady. I hope you rest well."

"Good night, Ann. And thank you." That night Morgan slept restlessly. It wasn't because Robert was not sleeping next to her. Rather it was because she dreamed repeatedly of her Druid. She felt him walking hand-in-hand with her in a dreamland of forested hills, sparkling brooks, and verdant meadows. They talked as if nothing negative had ever occurred between them; as if Robert didn't exist. She felt no guilt.

She told him of the challenge of Sir Gardain. Of the fear she felt mounting within her. Sir Gardain may have a valid point, but in the proving of it, morale was at an all time low in the realm. Knights and soldiers alike began to doubt their abilities, even to questioning their value to their sovereign. She told Will of her doubts about herself. Giving up magic had been easy after his death. The fact that he was dead made her look at him straight on for the first time in the dream.

His face was both young and old at the same time. A bit leaner than the last time they had seen each other, but still vital and strong. His eyes! Oh, his eyes. She loved the deep chocolate brown they were. Sometimes, when she was angry with him, she'd tease him by saying they reminded her of the color of pond scum. However, she adored them really. Deep and penetrating, they could see past every barrier and lie she or others could conjure. They saw her as she really was.

"I love you, Will," she said knowing it was safe and only a dream. But she knew it was also true. "Yes Will, I do love you."

With that admission, the Druid would turn to her and mouthed something unheard. She asked him to repeat it, though she was walking away from him. He lifted his hands as if begging her to come back, yet she continued down the road away from him, always asking him to speak louder, never inviting him to follow. She didn't want him to follow. She knew she was heading home to Robert.

Then the dream repeated itself. This is how it was all night. Ann woke her out of just a repetition. Morgan came awake irritated and frustrated that she could not stop herself from walking away. She knew there had to be a better way.

"You were talking in your sleep." Ann looked at her quizzically. "I promise not to say anything."

"What did I say?" Morgan already knew, but could not believe her weakness. Normally she could keep such things under control.

"My Lady, you were speaking quite plainly. I am glad Robert was not around."

Morgan thought about that. Yes, she was glad that Robert was not around too. She would never have been able to explain that away. Well, maybe she could. She knew how to satisfy her lover. And one could not be responsible for what was said while asleep, could they? Shoot. Robert would never buy this, but he would demand more and more attention from her. Thank heaven he was in the custody of the warden or there would be hell to pay this day.

The two women were quickly dressed ready for a new day's games. They had a light breakfast, Morgan insisting she had to watch her weight. Ann looked at her friend. "You're one of the most shapely women in the realm, but you still worry about your figure. You really are silly sometimes."

"Yes, I know. But it suites me to be silly every now and then. Let's get going. I have a feeling today will be a turning point, and I want to have a word with Robert before his match with Gardain." Morgan fetched her rapier, not wanting to be without it as long as Gardain was around. Ann followed her friends lead.

As they left the apartment, they were greeted by the wizard coming to see them. "Good day, Ladies. I wanted to come by and see if you had an opportunity to talk with Sir Gardain's squire?"

"No Sir." Ann responded. "We did see him, but he appeared to be in some sort of trance."

"Yes," Morgan agreed, "He apparently was either hypnotized or drugged. I believe drugged. He might even be an addict. His eyes were unfocused and the only response I got from snapping my fingers in front of his face was he started to rock. I believe Gardain is keeping him under control by medications."

"Hmmm. That explains it." The wizard noticed their quizzical looks. "The boy was found dead by the Brook Gate. He apparently drowned, but I found evidence of either poison or drugs in his mouth. I have to study the matter further, but the lad died maybe an hour before sunrise. It does not appear to be foul play.

Morgan looked at the old man. "I'm sorry we did not have an opportunity to talk with him. Or do anything about preventing this. Such a waste." Morgan thought a moment. "But we did notice something. Gardain was in his tent chanting. I don't remember the words. Do you Ann?"

Ann shook her head. "No, nor did I recognize the chant. Might be of some foreign religion. I just don't know."

The wizard considered a moment, "Would you recognize it if you heard it again?"

"Sure," Ann said, then added, "Why not come out with us tonight? He might be doing it again, and you could tell us what it is about."

It was Morgan who answered, "No. Too risky. Even if the wizard were not performing magic, Gardain would probably be able to sense him. That is if Gardain can sense anything. Not to mention that three people are much easier to detect than two are. No, if anyone goes out there, it will be me alone."

Ann started to protest, but the wizard cut her short. "Morgan's right. And she is better suited for this type of work anyway." Then turning to Morgan, "We need to know more about him, but be careful. You will, won't you?" He knew Morgan and the personal risks she was willing to take for her sovereign.

"Yes, I will. Come on. Maybe today will be a turning point. Today Gardain faces my beloved." Morgan could feel Ann's eyes upon her and ignored the though behind them as best she could.
William Black ©


Continues...


Chronicle II, Main page





Back to Stories Mainpage       Home



Copyright © Morion. All Rights Reserved.
No part of this website may be copied or reproduced without permission.