Knight of Darkness

by Kinley MacGregor

  “Ahhh, yuck, that’s disgusting,” Damé railed. “People get a room.” He shivered in revulsion. “Fine, you win. I release you from our bargain. Now stop kissing the toad. I’m going blind.”

  Merewyn pulled back, but only so that she could place a kiss on Varian’s hand.

  And as she did so, a strange orange glow appeared on his knuckle. It spread slowly over his body and as it did so, he returned to himself.

  Merewyn blinked in confusion. Until she realized what Damé had done. “Thank you.”

  “Don’t thank me. I had nothing to do with this.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I didn’t break Narishka’s spell. You did, just like Varian broke it in the valley. Instead of glamour, this is the spell of aversion. The only way to break it is to find someone who can see through it.”

  “But I thought one sorcerer couldn’t break the spell of another.”

  “One can’t,” Varian explained. “At least not with magick. But a human heart can shatter anything.” He looked at Damé. “I should have thought of that.”

  “Ah, you had other things on your mind. Now kids, I have more people to piss off. Have a nice life.” And with that, he left them alone.

  Varian turned his hands over to see them as they’d always been. Then he met Merewyn’s happy gaze. “Thank you.”

  “No, thank you for coming for me. But why did you do that?”

  “Isn’t it obvious?”

  “That you’re insane? Yes. Don’t ever do something like that again.”

  He pulled her into his arms. “I’m not crazy, Merewyn. And I will always do something stupid and insane if you’re in danger.”

  “Why?”

  “Because that’s what a man does when he loves a woman. And I would give my life for you. Always.”

  Those words tore through her. They were words she’d never hoped to hear, especially not from a man like Varian. “I love you, too.”

  And this time when they kissed, Varian felt the one thing he’d never felt before. Not just her love, but for the first time in his life, he had faith. Faith in her and, most of all, faith in their future.

  Epilogue

  One month later…

  Merewyn still couldn’t believe that Varian’s mother hadn’t found some way to punish them. Every morning, she woke up with a lump of fear in her stomach. But so far, Narishka had done nothing.

  And as every day passed, Merewyn loved Varian more. She treasured every moment spent with him. Every conversation, every stolen and freely given kiss.

  There was nothing she wouldn’t do for him.

  After their quick marriage in the small chapel at Avalon, the others there had begun to treat him with more regard and more kindly. It was as if having her by his side made them see him more as a man than a demon.

  Best of all, she’d found something in Avalon she’d never really had before. A friend in Kerrigan’s wife, Seren. The petite blonde had been a poor weaver’s apprentice until fate had found her to be one of the missing Merlins in charge of the loom of Caswallen.

  Seren had been the one to save Kerrigan from Morgen’s clutches, and now the two of them, along with their infant daughter, made Avalon home.

  Seren was with her now even though Merewyn was suffering greatly with a bout of illness from her pregnancy. She wasn’t sure who’d named it morning sickness when it seemed to strike without warning at any time of day.

  They’d just returned to sit in the hall and continue their conversation. Holding her baby, Seren was smiling kindly as Merewyn picked up her small sewing frame.

  “Does this ever end?”

  Seren laughed. “The illness, yes. Fear for your child, no. But don’t worry. You’re birthing a Merlin. If you think this is bad, wait until the baby’s powers start surging through you. The little darlings can be quite demanding. There are times when you feel completely out of control.”

  Oh joy. Merewyn couldn’t wait for that experience. “Does that pass?”

  Seren adjusted her daughter Alethea on her lap so that the baby could sleep more comfortably. “After their birth. I think, though, it’s why women who carry Merlins have so few children. It’s actually frightening when those powers are brewing. But don’t worry. You have me and Merlin and countless others who will help you through it.”

  Merewyn smiled at her. “Thank you.” And as she watched the infant sucking on her tiny fist, she couldn’t wait to hold her own baby.

  Laughter broke out as a group of men entered the hall across the room from them. Merewyn glanced up from her embroidery, thinking it was Varian returning from Merlin’s latest assignment.

  It wasn’t.

  It was the man Varian had gone to find. The traitor. Merewyn’s blood went cold at the sight of him making merry with his group.

  Terrified, she leaned forward to speak in a low tone. “Seren? Who is that man speaking to Bors? The short one?”

  Seren glanced over and frowned. “Ademar, why?”

  Merewyn didn’t answer. She was too afraid even to speak for fear it would draw his notice. Because she could identify the traitor, they had all been careful to tell no one she was from Camelot. Instead, they’d said she’d met Varian, Blaise, and the brothers in the valley.

  Ademar turned toward her.

  Merewyn instantly dropped her gaze to her lap, hoping he hadn’t seen her watching him.

  The man strode across the room until he stood before them. “Greetings, Lady Seren. I trust you are well?”

  Poor Seren had no idea who the man was. “I am, thank you, Lord Ademar. I trust the same of you.”

  “I couldn’t be better.” His gaze went to Merewyn. “You are new to our company, my lady. I’ve never seen you here before.”

  “She’s Varian’s new wife,” Bors said from behind him.

  Hatred flared in his eyes at the mention of her husband’s name.

  “I’d heard he’d taken a wife. Who knew she would be so lovely.”

  Strange, he hadn’t been this kind the last time they’d met. Rather he’d insulted and degraded her before he shoved her out of his way and spat on her.

  He gave her what she was sure he thought a charming smile. “So tell me, my lady, where are you from?”

  Before she could answer, Seren gasped. “Oh my goodness, Merewyn. Note the time. We have to leave and meet with Kerrigan.”

  Merewyn started to frown since she had no idea what Seren was talking about, but then she caught the look in her friend’s eye. “Oh yes. I completely forgot. He’ll be waiting for us.”

  “Yes, he will.” Seren stood up. “Forgive us, gentlemen.”

  She stood up first, then helped Seren rise. By the time they’d left the hall, Merewyn thought her heart would burst from her panic.

  “How did you know to leave?” Merewyn asked as soon as they were away from the men.

  Seren winked at her. “The look on your face. I could tell you would rather be anywhere than there with him. Care to tell me why Ademar made you so uncomfortable?”

  She didn’t answer. “We need to get to Merlin.”

  “You’re starting to scare me.”

  “I’m sorry, but we have to hurry.”

  They’d barely neared the end of the hallway when all of a sudden Ademar appeared before them. His face stern, he made no move to let them pass.

  “Is there a problem, Ademar?” Seren asked.

  He narrowed his eyes on Merewyn. “I know you, don’t I?”

  That was a question she could answer honestly. “No. You don’t.” He’d never bothered to learn anything about her.

  He allowed Seren to walk past him, but when Merewyn tried, he grabbed her arm. “You and I aren’t through talking.”

  “Oh yes we are.” She head-butted him hard and wrested her arm free. “Run, Seren!”

  Merewyn tried to run with her, but Ademar recovered himself and grabbed her again.

  This time, Seren blasted him. It knocked him back, but not before he returned her hit.<
br />
  Scared it would hit Seren and make her drop the baby, Merewyn threw herself in front of it. It went through her with a jolt and knocked her to the ground. She lay there, her limbs shaking as she struggled to breathe.

  She wanted to tell Seren to run again, but she couldn’t speak from the pain.

  But luckily, Seren vanished and left her alone with Ademar. He sauntered over to her and pulled her up by the front of her gown. “Now who are you?”

  “She’s my wife.” Varian’s voice rang out angrily an instant before Ademar went flying. He landed in a heap a few feet from her.

  Varian appeared, then seized him. He backhanded Ademar so hard, he rebounded off the wall. Still he wasn’t appeased. He struck him again and again, never allowing him even a chance to recover or defend himself.

  Suddenly, Merlin appeared. And her face rivaled Varian’s for rage. “Varian, stop!”

  Varian did, but not before he locked his arm around Ademar’s neck. The man’s eyes bulged as he tried to breathe.

  “Varian?” Merlin chided.

  His answer was simple. “He hit Merewyn. I’m going to kill him.”

  “Varian…”

  He locked gazes with her, and the look in his eyes made Merewyn’s blood run cold. She’d never seen such from him before, and for the first time, she fully understood the depth of her husband’s ruthlessness.

  “No one hurts my wife.”

  Before Merlin could act, Merewyn stood up. “He’s your traitor, Merlin. Ademar is the one I saw with Morgen.”

  Ademar sputtered as Varian’s eyes flamed even more.

  “Are you sure about this?” Merlin asked.

  “Yes. We’ve met several times.”

  The compassion and kindness melted from Merlin’s face. She turned to Varian. Her tone and demeanor were every bit as cold as Varian’s. “Before you kill him, we need to ask him a few questions.”

  Varian inclined his head before he vanished with Ademar.

  “What are you going to do with him?” Merewyn asked.

  “I will merely find out what all he’s told to Morgen.”

  “And then?”

  She shrugged. “He threatened you, Seren, and Alethea. Therefore, his fate will be up to Kerrigan and Varian. And given the brutal death of Tarynce, whatever they decide to do with him is fine by me, and I’m sure it will be far kinder than what Tarynce suffered.” She hesitated. “Then again, it is Kerrigan and Varian…so maybe not.”

  Varian had warned her that Merlin wasn’t quite as benevolent as she appeared. Now Merewyn understood. When it came to the Lords of Avalon, their Merlin could be as severe as any man.

  Varian returned to address Merlin. “He’s waiting for you.”

  Inclining her head to him, Merlin dissolved.

  “Are you all right?” Varian asked, searching Merewyn’s body with his gaze.

  “A little shaken, but fine.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. “I thought I’d die with worry when I heard Seren calling to me that you needed me. She didn’t say what was wrong. Only that you were in trouble.”

  “I thought she went for Merlin.”

  “No.”

  Merewyn smiled and shook her head. “I’m just glad we found him finally. Now you can stay home.”

  “I wish, but there are more of them out there. More traitors yet to find. More battles to come. You know Morgen and my mother. They won’t give up.”

  She leaned back to look up at him. “No, but then neither shall we.”

  A slow smile spread across his face. “No, we won’t.”

  The Legend

  In a world of magic and betrayal, one king rose to unite a land divided and to bring unto his people a time of unprecedented peace. A time when might no longer made right. When one man with a dream created a world of chivalry and honor.

  Guided by his Merlin, this man’s destiny was to be the Pendragon—High King of Power. But Arthur was a man who had many enemies, and none of them greater than his own sister, Morgen. Queen of the fey, she was ruled by her own jealousies and by her desire to rule as Pendragon in her brother’s stead.

  It is a story that has been told for centuries. The rise and fall of the great King Arthur, the betrayal that led to the destruction of the Round Table.

  But what happened the day after the battle of Camlann? Arthur is mortally wounded and taken to the isle of Avalon. The sacred objects of Camelot that gave him his power have been scattered to protect them from evil. The Round Table is fractured. The good guys have retreated to Avalon to serve their fallen king and the surviving Penmerlin, who came forward after Arthur’s Merlin mysteriously vanished.

  Camelot has now fallen into the hands of Morgen and her comrades. No longer the place of peace and prosperity, it is now the land of the unholy. Demons, mandrakes, and darklings make up the brotherhood of the new table, and another Pendragon has stepped forward to take Arthur’s place.

  Once human, he is now something else entirely. A demon with one single mission: to reunite the Round Table and to claim the sacred objects. With those under his control, there will be nothing to stop him from making the world into whatever he chooses.

  The only hope mankind has is those who still remain from Arthur’s company. No longer the knights of the Round Table, they are now the Lords of Avalon. And they will do whatever is necessary to stop the Pendragon from succeeding.

  The line between good and evil has become blurred. It is a realm of chaos and of champions. Of wizards and warriors who struggle to right the balance that was upset when one man put his trust into the wrong person.

  Welcome to a realm that exists out of time. Welcome to a world where nothing is ever as it seems. It’s a battle that ranges from the Dark Age moors of Arthur well into the future, where the one true king and Mordred may one day fight again.

  Theirs is a world without boundary. A place without borders. But in this power struggle, there can only be one winner…

  And winning has never been more fun.

  The Thirteen Sacred Objects

  These were the sacred objects that the Lenmerlin Emrys, entrusted to Arthur Pendragon so that he could rule the land peacefully without contestation. But once Camelot fell to evil and the king vanished, the new Penmerlin entrusted the sacred objects into the hands of their Waremerlins. They were scattered and hidden in the realm of man and of fey so that they would never fall into the hands of evil.

  It is now a race to reclaim and reunite the lost objects.

  Excalibur

  Sword created by the fey for good. The one who wields it cannot be killed, nor can he bleed so long as he holds the scabbard that sheaths it.

  Hamper of Garanhir

  Created in order to feed the Pendragon’s army while at war. Put in food for one, and out will appear food for one hundred.

  Horn of Bran

  Given as a companion for the hamper, this horn is a never–ending cup that will provide wine and water for any to drink from it.

  Saddle of Morrigan

  A gift to the Penmerlin from the goddess Morrigan, this will enable a person to go instantly wherever he desires. It was created so that the Pendragon would be able to oversee his kingdom with ease. No distance or time is too great. It can move a person from one continent to another or from one time period to another.

  Halter of Epona

  Given by the goddess Epona, the halter, if hung on a bedpost at night, will grant the one who possesses it whatever horse he desires in the morning.

  Loom of Caswallan

  A gift from the war god. Any cloth produced from this loom will be stronger than any armor forged by a mortal’s hand. No mortal weapon will ever be able to penetrate the cloth.

  Round Table

  Table of power that was created by the Penmerlin. When all people are seated and the objects are in place, it is the ultimate in power. Whoever rules the table rules the earth.

  Stone of Taranis

  A gift from the god of thunder. Shoul
d a knight sharpen his sword with this stone, it will coat the blade with a poison so potent that even a tiny scratch from the blade will bring instant death.

  Mantle of Arthur

  A gift from the Penmerlin, this will enable the wearer to become invisible to everyone around him.

  Orb of Sirona

  Created by the goddess of astronomy, this will enable the person who holds it in his hand to see clearly on even the darkest night.

  Shield of Dagda

  Whoever holds the shield of Dagda will be possessed of superhuman strength, and so long as the shield is held in place, he cannot be wounded.

  Caliburn

  A sword of the fey, this is the evil sword that balances out Excalibur. It is said that this one sword carries even more power and that it can destroy the other sacred objects.

  Holy Grail

  No one is quite sure what it is or where it came from. It is the greatest object of all for it can bring the dead back to life.

  Vocabulary

  Adoni—a beautiful race of elflike creatures. They are tall and slender and capable of complete cruelty.

  Grayling—as ugly as the Adoni are beautiful, they are essentially servants in Camelot.

  Mandrake—a race of beings who have the ability to become dragons or human. They have magical abilities, but are currently enslaved as a race to Morgen.

  Merlin—magical advisor.

  Miren—a magical being who can sing a song so beautiful that it will kill whoever hears it.

  MODs—minions of death. Interesting creatures who will be around in many future tales.