When they had arrived back at the cottage, they were greeted by Victoria’s younger sister Madeline and her mother. Madeline of course was very talkative and polite, but the mother remained quiet and separated from the rest of them.
Cora noticed that Sean was no better. He was uncomfortable and would have rather of been somewhere else if one were to take a guess. The other two dark haired young men did not join them. From the moment they had arrived, they had walked off into the woods without a single word. It was later that Cora and Sean had learned of their Fae heritage.
Plates of food had been placed on the table in front of them, more than Cora had seen in a lifetime.
“You have been through a great ordeal, I am sure. Please eat, drink, there is plenty,” said Victoria with a smile.
“Thank you, it is very kind of you,” said Cora taking a drink from her mug. Sean did the same, but still without a word.
Madeline smiled at Sean. “I am Madeline, and my mother is named Naomi. And you have met everyone else.”
Sean smiled and nodded, his thoughts ringing out to them. “I thank you for your kindness and hospitality, but I would like some answers as to what is going on. I would like to know what this prophecy is that you keep speaking of. What does it have to do with Cora and me?”
Quite a few of them looked at Sean in Surprise. “Don’t ask,” said Cora. It’s a long story. They slowly nodded.
“You are a guardian Sean; the same as I. Magnus has not explained this to you?”
“Of course not, Percy, at least not yet. I was more concerned for their safety at the moment, explanations would come later,” snapped Magnus.
Everyone in the room seemed to become quiet as they all looked at each other with uneasiness. Naomi shrugged and excused herself from the table leaving the room in frustration.
“My mother is not comfortable with the idea of a prophecy. She believes it to be a story made up to entertain children. We try not to discuss it in front of her out of respect. Please forgive her, Cora and Sean. She is a good woman who has only been dealt a hard life.”
Cora extended a hand placing it on Victoria’s. “There is no reason to apologize. We are grateful for your hospitality.”
Victoria smiled thoughtfully. “Thank you.”
Later that evening, Sean walked down to the beach with Cora. Moonlight on the water sparkled and only added to the beauty of the glowing moon. Sean stood almost mesmerized staring at the water. He yearned for the sea and the freedom it offered him. Too long on land was unnatural, as he was not meant for land, it wasn’t his way. Beside him, Cora swallowed hard understanding what Sean was feeling. She stayed silent, eyes glistening with tears, watching.
Noticing the tears, he turned and smiled. Even being out of the water for so long, he still smelled like the sea, it was a part of him. “Unless you have tired of me already, then you really should stop crying. I have no plans of going anywhere without you.” This only made Cora cry worse. Sean frowned and placed an arm around her shoulder. Her tears stopped only slightly. But the way he looked at her, she couldn’t help but smile.
Sean still seemed distant in some ways. He tried to give her his full attention, and she didn’t blame him for thinking of the sea and a home hidden within it. It’s who he was and where he belonged. How could she resent him for that? She reached out, slow and careful.
“This is all strange for me too,” she said. “I’m sure Magnus will tell you when he is ready.”
Sean looked at her suspiciously. “Magnus has told you? You knew what was going on and you didn’t say anything?”
“He only told me some, about the legends and prophecy.”
“Cora, why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wasn’t sure if I believed it myself.”
“Well, do you believe it now?”
“After everything that has happened, how we got here, you being a merman, yes.” She turned away shaking her head. “This is crazy, things like this just don’t happen.”
“I’m sorry Cora, but I come from a different world than you. And in my world, things like this do happen.” Sean took her hands in his. “There is magic in the world, Cora. It is all around us. One only has to open their eyes to see it, open their ears to hear it, and open their minds to know it.”
Cora closed her eyes. “So there is magic in all of us.”
“Most of us, and unfortunately some are darker than others. Their magic is not good. They only use it for their own gains and to cause harm to others. That is bad karma which no good ever comes of.” Sean paused, “I am from the sea, Cora. I will always yearn for the sea, it’s in my blood. But if there is one thing that I can promise you, it would be this; I have no intentions of returning to the sea and leaving you, not now or ever.”
“I would never be selfish enough to ask you to stay away from the sea for me, Sean”
“It is my decision, one that I make with no regrets.”
“And that is the answer I hoped for, Lad. A lot of us are still very much divided. Until we are all able to come together, then we have lost, and the dark has already won.”
“I did not see you there, Magnus.”
“Sorry for the intrusion, Cora. I knew there were many things that Sean would have questions to.”
“Many questions indeed, Magnus. Right now I feel I am being left in the dark when it comes to most of it.”
“I understand, Lad. If you and Cora would rejoin us inside, I think it would be easier to explain only once to everyone, and not each separately.”
“There was no mention of an attack from Morgana in the prophecy, why now?” asked Percy.
Magnus walked from one side of the room to the other, worry stretched across his face. “Morgana as we are all aware of now, her goal is to obtain the Seer’s sacred object and thus gain its power. She does not care at what cost, all she sees is a power to rule the world in darkness.”
“But why make herself known? Why attack you at sea?” Victoria asked questionably.
“Morgana feels that she has nothing to lose, why wouldn’t she? She has always enjoyed playing with her victims before striking,” answered Magnus.
“Why my father, what does he have to do with any of this?”
Magnus hesitated with a worried look before answering. “Your father was only a victim in all of this, a means to build Morgana’s army. But I say was, as now she may feel that she has an upper hand with having the father of a guardian in her clutches. She may, and more than likely will use that against you, Sean. You must be cautious, keep your guard up at all times.”
“My father has not wanted anything of me in a long time. I doubt that will change anytime soon, Magnus.”
“And that, Lad, is where you would be wrong. As long as Morgana has control over your father, she can use him in any way she likes, including using your feelings for your father against you.”
“This is so much to take in. Mermen, fae, wizards, King Arthur, I feel as if I have stepped into a storybook.”
Magnus placed a hand on Cora’s shoulder with understanding. “The veils are thinning between our world and yours. There is much more out there than has been taught in a history book. I am just not sure how ready the rest of the world is for such things.”
Percy stood, “Are you saying that the whole world is going to know about us, Magnus?”
“I cannot see how we can stop it. There is just no way around it. Wars of magic are coming, and it’s about to get a whole lot more dangerous.”
Sean shook his head in disbelief, “Bloody hell.”
Magnus walked over to the fire with a look of concern, “Bloody hell is right.”
…
That night as Magnus slept, he dreamed of a time of long ago.
“What is this unnatural fog?”
The wizard stepped from the hazy shadows, “That would be Morgana’s doing. She has released the dragon’s breath.”
A knight stepped forward with sword in hand. “Then it shall be her last breath.”<
br />
“And you would be correct, it already has been.”
All knights came to attention, “The King approaches.”
Arthur dismounted from his steed, handing off the reigns to a squire. “Merlin, we must speak at once.”
“But, Sire…”
“Not now, gather your men and leave me to speak in private.” Arthur waved his hand as the men departed. “We did not speak of a night as this, Merlin. Is there anything you can do to remedy it?”
“No, Arthur. This is not my doing.”
A knight came running into the clearing, “Sire, our men are under attack, they are falling fast.”
Arthur gave one last look towards Merlin.
“Go, Arthur. Your men need you. I know what to do.”
Arthur nodded once and vanished into the night.
Magnus tossed and turned, tormented by so many memories.
A blaze of arrows shot through the sky and landed on the boat that carried the body of Camelot’s King, Arthur. But for Merlin who stood somberly watching, he knew what others did not. Arthur’s body had been secretly taken to the King’s Mountain, and under it, Arthur would sleep until the time came for him to awake. But even that would be many years from now. With war, the seers and guardians lost, Arthur laid to rest. Merlin was left to protect a legacy and its secrets, a prophecy and its future in a changing world; and so as dreams change, so had Magnus in an earlier time.
The dreams were becoming stronger. The memories lulled their way along his senses, as if they were invisible notes pulled through the air on intricate chords. All he wanted to do was fight it, if he only had the courage. He pressed his hands to his ears trying to ignore it. “Release me from this dreadful curse, my will is my own. Be done with it so that I may be free of it once and for all.”
Word after word, pleading each phrase, the determination strengthened each sentence as he spoke with a will he so desperately wished was his. His mind searched for a familiar memory, just something to hold onto. But he had forgotten most of those memories long ago. When he felt his will leaving him, he pressed his hands tighter to the sides of his head to try desperately to shut the notes off from invading his mind.
“I shut my ears and eyes, I find solitude in the darkness so that I shall not falter and lose my way”
“Yes, Merlin, the darkness will keep you safe.”
“Morgana, leave my thoughts and dreams you foul serpent.”
Visions still displayed themselves in his mind’s eye. Nothing would keep them from him, not even the stillness of the darkness he subjected himself to. No, the darkness, not the darkness, but the light is what he needed. Morgana had fuddled his thoughts, playing with him like a moth drawn to a flame. She was trying to take over his every thought in the battled recesses of his mind. The visions sprang to life, showing him every detail, exhausting the strength from his body. It was pain that the visions showed him in the darkness. With every chance he fought it, only to have it grow stronger. He could feel his soul; body and magic begin to split apart, one half in a world he longed to return to, and another in a world beyond the veil.
Magnus opened his eyes, his body wet with perspiration. The house was still, it was only a dream, just dreams. He cleared his mind as he closed his eyes. Morgana had not won this fight.
…
Magnus awoke later to the sound of crashing waves against the shore and the smell of the sea. Wild birds perched just outside his bedroom window, crying their songs of lonesome serenades. It was just morning as the sun’s rays penetrated the room, another day with more plans and tasks still at hand.
Outside, Naomi sat on the porch with her youngest, Madeline. The both of them still busily working away at weaving baskets to sell to the village fisherman. Naomi only looked up for a second when Magnus stepped outside. “I believe you think I am running a boarding house. This is not a charity, Magnus. I would like to know when you and your band of friends plan to depart from us so that my family and I can return to normalcy.” she held up a hand to insure she was not interrupted. “And don’t give me this prophecy bit; I don’t buy a single minute of it. I am grateful to you for bringing Victoria home, but enough is enough! She is safe, she is home, and now it is time for you and your merry band to be about your way.”
“Mama,” gasped Madeline.
“Madame, whether you choose to believe in the prophecy does not make it any less true. There is a danger brewing that will not waste one second to use any means of magic against you and your family. You would be wise to heed the warning before it is too late.”
Naomi put down the basket and turned her attention to Magnus with a spiteful glare. “I would chase you out of here myself if I thought it would get this nonsense of magic and prophecy out of Victoria’s head. I don’t believe your nonsense talk. But I would guess you are short a noodle and a farm of a full deck!” she stared at him a moment longer before returning to the basket.
Madeline was hunched over her own basket not speaking a word, nor looking up. Magnus clenched his jaw, better to not goad the woman into saying anything more. In silence, Magnus turned and walked down the porch steps towards the shore. Some people would just not listen, and it was better to let them be to themselves than run in circles.
Magnus found the four by the water’s edge. Victoria and Cora were playing with the fairies and other magical creatures, Sean and Percy stood with a bow doing some target practice, shared skills, Magnus was sure. But the one thing that still concerned him was the Fae who stood at distance, always watching but never mingling.
“Hello, Magnus. I trust you had a good sleep?”
“Hmm, sleep is but fraught with restless dreams these days, Victoria. I see that the fay tales have taken quite nicely to our new friends.” Turning to the sound of bray and hoof, Magnus’s face lit up. “Sweet, Stella. It is a magic and mystery almost as ancient as my own.” The unicorn nudged at the pocket of Magnus’s robe with its nose. “Aye, let us see what we can do.” Everyone turned to watch as Magnus brought up his hand, and with the other he waved it in a circular motion, “Apratoo.” And just as if out of nowhere, a bright red juicy apple appeared in his hand. “An apple magnificent enough even to befit a King of unicorns.” Stella wasted no time in accepting the gift, and within two bites the apple was gone as the unicorn was already nudging at his pocket for another. “I believe that will have to do for now.” he patted the majestic beast followed by a long stroke down the mane.
“I would say your magic is growing, Magnus.”
“It’s a magic that was already there, only asleep until awoken. It still grows, Percy.”
“Aye, the magic that had been lost will soon return to all of us.” Sean shook his head in astonishment. “Our people never thought it possible again.”
“Have no doubts, it will return when the time is right, Lad. It is best not to rush it.”
“You may be asking the impossible, Magnus. With everything that is happening, we may need it sooner than later,” replied Percy.
Magnus stepped closer and spoke with a knowledge he hoped the group would understand. “Nay, how is forcing something to happen a better thing? To force that which is not ready is only to act immaturely. If you go into a fight unprepared, then you have already lost, Lad. It is better to keep one’s wits about them than to fall prey to Morgana’s schemes.”
Percy scratched the top of his head, “Still, it is hard to wait, but time is all we can hope for.”
“Pity the unwary soul who acts before he thinks,” Magnus said with a smile.
“If we live through this, I say we count our blessings,” Sean said uneasily.
“Have faith, Lad,” said Magnus. “Patience is a virtue, we will succeed.”
Victoria rolled her eyes and smiled at the lyrical game. “And what of the other seers and guardians, Magnus? How do we protect them when we have no idea who they are?”
“That Victoria, is something that is out of our hands, there is no way to know who they are. But, that may als
o work to our advantage. Until they are chosen, Morgana cannot harm them. I doubt very much if she even knows who they are.”
Sean looked doubtful himself, “Aye, so we are prepared to fight. Do we know where Morgana’s attack will come from?”
“Morgana has no qualms of where she attacks from.” Magnus’s tone became serious, “The question is when.”
“You don’t think she would attack our village?”
“Unfortunately, Victoria, I have no doubt. Morgana will use every vulnerability that we have to strike. It is better not to give her any leverage.”
Percy frowned, “Just before we were captured by Bruno and Creature, I began attending a university. I wanted to learn about life on the mortal side of the veil. I guess I will learn more than I ever bargained for.” He turned to Victoria, “But I wouldn’t want it any other way.” She returned a smile and eyes fuller yet with love. Although there was a danger, it was better to take what time together they had been given.
…
Morgana paced the stone floor of her dark chamber. Thoughts of ancient spells and chants filled her head. A clap of thunder sounded in the distance, still a reminder of her short battle with Merlin. Her power was had been weakened from the old wizard’s assault. “You will pay dearly for this one, Merlin!” she paced more restlessly, “You can move the heaven’s and earth to hide your precious little seers and guardians, but I will find them and you. And then I will see that you suffer a worse fate.” She continued to pace, her thoughts still on ancient spells, she needed only that one, the perfect one. “There must be a way to find the remaining seers before that washed up wizard does.” She stopped, almost as if struck by an idea. “Not a spell, but a bond, a bond of blood.” She rushed to the door flinging it open. “Servant, fetch me some paper, I have instructions to be carried out, and hurry.” She walked back into the room shutting the door. “I may not know who, but I may know when. I will hold the upper hand on this one wizard; you won’t even know what hit you.”
Blue Moon: The Ring of Mer (Seer's Of The Moon) Page 7
