by Cori Chaffee
Her lovely face was pained and she didn’t wait for me to respond before she continued.
‚Merlin continued to visit me during his life here. The mortals here created the tale of the Lady of the Lake to explain things away to their satisfaction. I have been Arthur’s guardian, so to speak. I hesitate to hand the privilege to you, but Merlin has told me that I can trust you, that you are strong and brave.'
‚Merlin is kind to me,' I replied. ‚I hope that I can measure up to his expectations.'
‚If you do not, he will die,' Thalassa stated quietly. ‚And I feel as though he is the very air that I breathe. I do not wish to lose him. He has more wisdom in one finger than most of the gods on Olympus put together. You must save him.'
I nodded. ‚I will try, Thalassa. Trust me on that.'
Someone rustled nervously behind me, bringing my attention back to the present. I stared at Thalassa’s pale, calm face, ethereal in her beauty and made a decision. I had to keep Raquel safe. And I didn’t have many options right now.
‚Thalassa, I have a request.'
I felt everyone’s eyes upon me, wondering what I was going to ask at this particular juncture. Thalassa had, after all, just given us what we needed.
‚Can you keep this child with you for now, so that she stays safe during the battle that is coming? I wish no harm to come to her.'
Thalassa nodded thoughtfully, her blonde hair drying as we spoke. She lifted a pale hand and brushed it away from her face.
‚Of course, Harmonia. I shall keep her under the lake with me. She will be safe, I assure you. My underwater world is protected by enchantment. No one may enter without my permission, not even the Fates.'
I turned, motioning Raquel to the front. Kneeling in front of her, I grasped her hands. I started to tell her to go with Thalassa, but hesitated at the frightened look on her small face.
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‚Raquel, I must tell you something.' I glanced up at Lucan and he quickly joined me, kneeling next to us on one knee. He reached out and grasped my hand.
‚This might be hard for you to hear and we will discuss it more later, but I need you to know something before you go.' She waited expectantly, playing restlessly with her fingers.
‚You are mine,' I whispered.
‚Yours?' she repeated, confusion apparent on her face and in her voice. ‚I don’t understand.'
‚You are mine. And Lucan’s. We aren’t what you think. Our names are really Harmonia and Cadmus and we live in a beautiful place called the Spiritlands. You were taken from us long ago by wretched old women. I’m so sorry that you found out in this way, but I wanted you to know.'
She stared at me seriously. ‚I am not an orphan? You’re my mother, my lady?'
I nodded. ‚And when this is over, we will be a family and we will be so happy together. I promise.'
Lucan spoke up. ‚I have never seen a prettier little girl. You must get your beautfy from your mother.'
Raquel shifted her gaze to him and reached out with a shaking little hand, placing it on Lucan’s cheek.
‚Can I call you papa?' she whispered.
Lucan took a sharp breath and his eyes grew watery. I squeezed his hand.
‚Of course you can, little one,' he answered softly, drawing her into his arms.
‚And I will work hard to make you the happiest little girl in the world when we return.' He held her for a few minutes longer and then released her. She stepped back.
As I stared at her, I had the sudden need to see her true appearance.
‚Hecate?' I turned. ‚Can you reveal her true face? I know that the Fates disguised her. Can you show her to me?'
Hecate stepped forward and placed her hands on Raquel’s shoulders. She murmured for a moment, her body blocking Raquel from my sight. I waited anxiously, gripping Lucan’s hand. Yes, I knew that we had important things to be doing, but to me, this was the most important thing of all in this moment.
Hecate finally stepped away and there was a collective gasp from everyone.
She looked just like me.
Her skin was a golden tan, her hair dark. She did have her father’s chin, but her eyes were mine. Vivid jade green, they sparkled as she stared at us. I could clearly see why the Fates had disguised her. There is no way that I wouldn’t have known who she was otherwise.
‚Is something wrong?' she asked worriedly, her hand unconsciously moving to her throat.
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‚No, little one,' I answered softly, moving to hug her. ‚You just look different.
That’s all.'
Guiding her shoulders, I led her to the water’s edge where she could see her reflection. When she looked down, she gasped as well.
‚I look like you!' she exclaimed, moving her hand to touch her cheeks, her hair, her shoulders. ‚Just like you.'
‚Yes,' I agreed. ‚You do. Because you’re my daughter.' I would never get tired of saying the words. Gripping her skinny shoulders, I turned her to face me.
‚Go with Thalassa,' I instructed. ‚When this is over, we will return for you.'
She nodded obediently. ‚You’ll come back for me?' she asked worriedly.
‚Of course we will,' I assured her. ‚Just as soon as this is over and it is safe once again.' She nodded trustingly and took Thalassa’s outstretched hand.
‚This will be fun,' Thalassa promised her with a smile. ‚Do you like flowers and sea sprites?' Raquel was staring at her in wonder as they submerged into the water and disappeared. A couple of ripples spanned the pool before it went still.
I looked at Hecate and Lucan, taking a deep breath.
‚What now?'
Hecate nibbled her lip thoughtfully. ‚Much has happened over the past couple of days,' she said. ‚While the Fates have changed so much, there are some things that have stayed just the same. Look.'
She gestured toward the water and a picture formed on the still surface. There was a banquet in the castle and Mordred was somehow seated at Arthur’s right in Lancelot’s normal seat. Arthur was wearing an icy, dark expression, something I had never seen on his face before. He looked cruel, just as my mother had said. My heart sank in my chest.
I watched Mordred whisper something in the king’s ear and Arthur’s face clouded over. Leaping to his feet, his stormed through the mass of people from the room and down a hall. In a dark corner, Lancelot and Guinevere were sequestered, with Lancelot’s mouth by her ear. I didn’t know what they were doing, but it certainly looked compromising. Arthur rose up in front of them like an avenging, angry god.
‚What is this?' King Arthur boomed.
Lancelot jumped away from my mother, but I noticed that he kept her safely behind him. He returned Arthur’s stare without flinching, clearly unafraid, even though he still showed respect.
‚Nothing, your highness,' Lancelot answered loudly. ‚It isn’t what it seems.'
‚Then explain to me what it is!' King Arthur’s voice was sharp enough to cut glass.
‚Do you know the penalty for treason? And consorting with the king’s wife is most certainly treason in the highest form.'
‚Arthur, truly it isn’t…' Guinevere began, but the king cut her off.
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‚Be silent!' he roared. ‚You think to humiliate me in front of my people? You are condemned to death, woman. You can ponder your sins in isolation today. Your crown is stripped from you. You will burn at dawn.'
He spun on his heel and whirled around, his cloak swirling.
‚Throw them in the dungeons!' he called over his shoulder as he climbed the stairs to his quarters. There was not an ounce of emotion in his voice, but for rage. This was not the Arthur that I knew.
Mordred and Gawain stepped forward and restrained Lancelot, their faces impassive and cold. I expected that from Mordred, because he had clearly o
rchestrated this little revealing incident. But Gawain. This was unlike him, as well.
Percivale and Gaheris took the queen’s arms, pulling her with them down the long halls to the dungeons. To their credit, my parents allowed themselves to be taken prisoner, even though they could easily have escaped. They disappeared down the hall.
‚Where are they now?' I whispered.
The water rippled and another picture formed. Guinevere was hanging in a dungeon, exactly how we had found Lucan. She was not bloodied, but she was hanging limply, her eyes closed. Her hands were white from loss of blood as they were bound tightly above her head. Lancelot was in the oubliette, staring ferociously at the dark wall. He was stripped of his shirt and there were lash-marks on his back. They had beaten him and he had allowed it. Pride surged through me at the determination of my parents.
They were sacrificing everything for this and now they were waiting for me.
‚Mother, it is time,' I whispered. Her eyes snapped open, turning silver at my words. My father raised his head, his dark eyes meeting mine through the darkness.
It is time, I repeated silently.
They were gone. Both disappeared in the blink of an eye, my mother’s manacles dangling limply in the air where she had just been hanging.
‚Well, that certainly took you long enough,' my father growled from behind me.
I turned just in time for my mother to rush into my arms.
‚Are you alright?' she asked anxiously. ‚Why are you bloody?' She held me at arm’s length examining me.
‚I’m fine now,' I answered. ‚I’m happy that you’re here and I’m sorry for the delay. But we have the sword.'
My father clapped me on the back.
‚Well done, daughter,' he said approvingly. ‚I knew you would do it.' He was sweaty and bloody, but he didn’t appear to mind. The lashes on his back were deep, but he didn’t even flinch as he moved. My father had the strength of an ox and he was almost just that big.
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Lucan stepped forward. ‚Ares,' he dipped his head. ‚Aphrodite.'
They stared at him as if he had two heads. I smiled.
‚Lucan knows everything. I opened the box of souls and Cadmus’ soul is now in this body. It’s a long story.'
‚One that I will be interested in hearing,' my mother replied, her eyebrow raised.
Hecate interrupted, her voice firm.
‚And you will. But not right now. We have a battle to wage.'
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Chapter Twenty
Hecate looked seriously at me, then at Lucan and my parents.
‚Let us rejoin the others. We must form a strategy.'
Taking my arm, my mother walked with me, as the others lagged behind. She didn’t seem bothered at all by the fact that she has just been hanging in chains, something that I found strange. She casually remarked about the desolation of the countryside and the quiet plains surrounding us which caused me to stare at her with my mouth open.
‚Are you alright, mother?' I asked. ‚You seem strangely unbothered by all that has happened.'
She turned her silvery gaze upon me.
‚Why? Because I am not weeping? I am choosing not to think of it, for fear that I would not be able to control my anger. You know my temper, dear one. If I knew what had happened to cause your injuries,' and she gestured at my bloody clothing, ‚Or if I focused on the satisfied look that sniveling Mordred had when he ordered me into chains, then I fear that my temper would rage. Instead, let us prepare for vengeance, yes?'
She was eerily calm and I had to admire her effort. I knew though, that all hell would break loose at some point. Her calm façade would crack and then she would explode.
The battalion of undead chieftains was still converged on the field next to the old farmhouse. Their horses were calm and they were all still, patiently waiting for us to reappear. They were already lined up in battle formations and I smiled at their enthusiasm.
My mother startled as she saw their vast number, and then she quickly regained her composure like the goddess that she was. She didn’t even ask any questions. She simply took her place quietly at the front of the crowd next to me, as we waited for Hecate, Lucan and Ares, who were just a few steps behind us.
Hecate stepped forward and addressed them.
‚In the past, as gods from the Spiritlands, any time that we have traveled in the mortal world, it has always been necessary to leave things as we found them, to not interfere. But now, today, that is no longer a problem. The Fates have changed things so completely, that we cannot do any further harm. We have raised a battalion of the finest Briton warriors from the dead and we shall call upon every available resident in the Spiritlands to help us this day.'
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There were a few shouts of approval as she closed her eyes and murmured, her voice raising to a chant. Every eye in the crowd was trained on her, waiting to see who she would summon. Even the horses were still in anticipation.
And suddenly, the empty field to our left was filled. Ortrera and her warriors were in the front, sitting atop their massive warhorses. Their huge wings rose and fell softly as they breathed. Behind them were various gods and goddesses from the Spiritlands, all armed and wearing ferocious expressions. I could see Chaos, Erythia, Hypnos and Iris leading the mass of familiar faces. Aeolus, the god of the wind, leaned forward in his saddle and winked at me. I nodded my head toward him. He might come in handy here. Everyone, it seemed, was ready to fight.
Ares stepped from behind me to the front, his bulging muscles glistening in the light, his torso still bare. As I watched his expression transform into that of a warrior, into the god of war, my stomach trembled at the sight in front of me. This was the sight that so many had seen as they drew their last breaths… as my father had taken their lives from them.
His abs were ripped and tight, his arms as hard as steel. His eyes were deadly and I shivered slightly as his gaze passed over me and examined the crowd.
‚Today,' Ares shouted, ‚Every one of you here is a warrior. We fight for one common cause- to restore the world to what it should be. The mortal world and my own have been overturned by the whims of the twisted.
‚Today,' he continued, ‚We will rise above it and take it back. On our backs, we will carry truth and righteousness. We will be armed with honor and dignity.'
The crowd erupted into shouts and cheers. Ares stood proudly, enormous and frightening, as the people yelled. Finally, he gestured for silence and the noise died down quickly as everyone awaited his next words.
‚I am the god of war!' he shouted to more cheers. ‚And I am honored to have you in my army. Follow me this day and we will emerge victorious!'
He raised his huge fist in the air and the crowd exploded into screams. He swaggered back to his place in line, grinning cockily at me as he did.
Hecate stepped forward once more, her expression severe.
‚The Fates will not fight with honor,' she warned and the crowd reacted with jeers.
‚They cannot fight with honor, because they have none!' someone yelled and Hecate nodded.
‚You are correct,' she shouted. ‚They have no honor. You must expect the unexpected because that is what you will receive. The Fates will use your fears against you, so endeavor to have none. They will exploit every weakness, every hesitation against us. Do not give them that chance. If we fail today, all will be lost. So fight today as if there is no tomorrow, because if we lose, there will not be.'
She pivoted, scanning the crowd, meeting the gaze of many of the warriors.
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‚I am the goddess of witchcraft,' she shouted. ‚I will enchant your horses and offer incantations to protect you. But for every spell I use, the Fates will have one also. Our victory toda
y will come down to the pure hearts of the righteous and my friends, that advantage belongs to us!'
Once more, the ground trembled from the shouts and stomps of the legions in front of us. Lucan glanced sideways at me and reached out to grasp my hand. I squeezed his fingers. Oddly, as we balanced on this precarious place, on the brink of winning everything or losing the same, I wasn’t afraid. I was deadly calm and ready to move.
‚I wish for my son to not be harmed!' someone shouted and everyone craned their necks to see who had spoken. A man, broad-shouldered and dressed in a lavish fur cloak pushed through the throngs of people to the front. His dark-blonde hair was long and curly, his eyes ferocious and cornflower blue. He wore a glittering crown.
King Uther Pendragon.
I sucked in a breath. I hadn’t realized that he was among the assembled warriors, although I should have guessed. His cunning in battle was talked about still, his intelligence and lack of mercy for those who offended him. He was very different from his son, yet they shared the same blood.
He turned to address the crowd.
‚My son is not truly the person whom you will see today,' he said, his voice booming loud enough to reach the warriors standing in the very last row. ‚The Fates have manipulated him and turned him into something that he is not. Do not shed his blood if you can help it. He is a true king.'
The mounted warriors nodded in affirmation. Everyone knew of Arthur’s plight, of the goodness that he used to embody. Tales of he and his knights had spread through the kingdom like wildfire from the moment that he had assumed the crown.
Hecate once again stepped forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with King Uther.
‚To ensure that our fight is as equally matched as possible, we will need to draw on some rather unlikely resources. As you may know, I hold the keys to the underworld.
Today, I will open the gates and we will bring with us horrific beasts to help us in our fight.'
There were and murmurings and whispers. The warriors moved restlessly, trying to keep their horses still, but even the horses felt the tension here and it made them nervous. Hecate ignored everything and focused on the ground. I gritted my teeth in anticipation. We would do what we had to do using whatever methods necessary, but it didn’t mean that I had to enjoy it.
