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Chronicle III, Chapter 6, Chronicle III - Morion's Arrival By William Black Will soon arrived at a large non-descript tent that nonetheless was bustling with activities. As he strolled up to the entrance a young artesian approached him. The lad looked no more than seventeen with sandy coloured hair and lively green eyes. "Has my Lord come to view his vision?" "What?" Will looked confused. "Your vision, my Lord. I understand you are a seer and dreamer of dreams. Is not this flying purse one of your visions?" The youth cocked his head slightly waiting for an answer. Will chuckled in spite of himself. A flying purse...he'd never heard any of the Druids call it that, but they had a more scientific outlook. Yet this boy's description was far more practical. The balloon would look like an upside down purse with drawstrings tangling from its narrow end to someone who'd never seen a hot air craft before. "Actually it isn't from a vision. This is a device my Druid teachers taught me about." Will turned to enter the tent. The interior of the tent was as light as outside due to a huge opening in the ceiling. It was through this that the balloon would ascend on its maiden voyage. It was also to allow light in and smoke out when the fires were lit to warm the air for the initial inflation of the balloon itself. Seamstresses were busily sewing up the fabric for the balloon while carpenters were placing the finishing touches on the gondola. Others were feeling bags of sand for ballast. As the assembly of the balloon continued an alarm from the back of the camp went up. Will rushed out of the tent to see soldiers scrambling for their weapons, and commanders shouting out orders for the troops to get into protective formations. Will was a bit disturbed to see soldiers scrambling in untidy units searching for their places within the ranks. But what else could be done? They had other duties to perform besides standing about ready for battle. Will shook his head. He was being unrealistic. This was how wars were fought and he knew that Morion's troops would give their hearts and souls for the protection of their homeland. For the defence of their Lady. A group of mounted hunters rode fast into camp to report to Sir David. As Will, Morgan, Sir Robert and Alan arrived the hunters were escorted into Sir David's tent. "Report." Sir David commanded. "My Lord, we've been sent ahead of Lady Morion's entourage. She will be here within the hour." "What?! Lady Morion here? What lies are these?!" Sir David's eyes glared in fury. "No lies, my Lord but the truth indeed. Here is her command." The leader of the party handed a scroll to Sir David, who opened it and scanned the writing within. Without pausing he walked out of the tent throwing the scroll to Will. The young knight unrolled the scroll and read for himself, but his face betrayed nothing of the emotions racing through his heart. Then he followed Sir David into the sunlight. "Seems our Lady is coming out to command her troops personally," he remarked. David gave a disgruntled snort, and then shouted to his squire to get his horse ready. "Sergeant," he called to another man, "Get an escort ready. Make sure they are your finest men. We go to greet her Ladyship." Something in his tone made Will pause. The voice...it was odd somehow. But Will had little time to concern himself with analyzing voices; especially when all it might turn out to be is the hoarseness caused by too much shouting. David had been shouting a lot recently. Soon an escort of twenty mounted soldiers was assembled and briefed on the situation. Will decided it was best not to join the escort, but to stay behind directing the construction of the balloon. He urged Morgan to go without him. Anyway, Sir Robert would be with her. He watched as they raced out of camp on the road heading south. He silently prayed that all would be well and no chance encounters occurred between them and Morlyn's scouts. He walked over to the chief engineer, who was overseeing the balloon project to get a status on the progress, though he had just seen for himself. But it helped take his mind off other matters. "My Lord, you'll notice that the material is lightweight but strong. It should handle even rough winds. The gondola too is almost ready. The weaving is reinforced in case you take arrow fire from below. And it won't burn. Also we have devised quick release mechanisms for the ballast. One push on the lever will eject the bags attached at that point." Will looked again at their work. It was impressive. "Very good, very good indeed." He said with a smile. The craft master cleared his throat, "But Sir, I still do not understand how you plan to get this thing off the ground. I understand the physics of hot air being lighter than cooler air, so once the balloon is up the heat generators will keep her afloat. But how do you propose to blow up the air sack?" "With a lot of hot air down here my friend." Will said patting the older man on the back. "And we got a lot of that to go around, don't we." He giggled to himself looking to where Sir David had just left camp. The older man smiled, but kept his remarks to himself. Will started to explain, "I plan on using the blacksmith's forge and bellows to blow hot air into the balloon. As you said, once up the heat generators the blacksmith created will keep her aloft. They'll be attached to the shelf you've designed above the gondola, and hopefully be able to maintain the high temperatures within the balloon itself to sustain her altitude. We'll be using a bit of Greek-fire and some other materials to give a slow hot flame." "I hope my Lord knows what he's doing." Will laughed, "You and I both." You and I both, he repeated to himself. Will felt a mental nudge. Arrow was scanning the scene below. Morion and her escort were approaching the outer parameter to the camp. She appeared regal and emotionless. But her beauty as always was stunning. Will felt it awkward that he was peering in on her from above. But he continued to focus on what Arrow was seeing. She was not only a delight to his mind's eye, but he felt his heart pick up its pace. Yes, she might be angry at him, but even that was worth facing for a few moments again with her. The craft master looked at him, "Are you alright?" "Yes, I'm fine, just lost in thought. Continue your work. Let me know when all is ready. I'll be at Sir David's tent." With that Will turned and walked toward the center of the camp. Morion arrived soon after Will got to David's tent. He went out to greet her, but instead of addressing him, she dismounted and addressed the crowd of commanders that knelt in homage to her. "You are wondering at my arrival. I can only justify my actions by saying that it is not right for a sovereign to hide away in her castle while her people risk their lives in her protection." She continued, "I've already been told off..." She glanced without smiling to Sir David and Sir Robert, "So would appreciate no further comments on this matter. You all have jobs to do, and I give you my thanks and gratitude. You are saving more than Morion with this fight...you are saving your posterity." Then in a softer tone, "Thank you all again..." Morion turned to go into Sir David's tent, but paused briefly before Will. "You have a hell of a lot of explaining to do...." She was inside the tent before he could respond. Sir David roughly brushed past Will following his Lady into the tent. Sir Robert, Alan, and Morgan followed. As Will started in, Morgan put out a hand to stop him. "Not now Will. Give her a moment." With that she smiled and went into the tent after the others. Well, that was that. But I'll be damned if my feelings slow me down, he said to himself. Will walked out heading for the herbalist. Dr. Laroux had apparently joined the contingent riding out with Lady Morion. "My Lord, how are you feeling today?" Laroux said lightly. "You are looking well." Will sighed and motioned Laroux to follow. William Black © Continues... Chronicle III, Main page |