by L. H. Nicole
Aliana flushed with embarrassment. “Yeah, it comes in handy.”
Merlin snorted. “Time to get down to work.” Merlin opened one of the scrolls.
“If you tell me what you’re looking for I may be able to help. I know this library very well, even the hidden rooms.” Guin smiled proudly, and not bothering to hide her frank curiosity.
“Did you say secret rooms?” Her mind automatically went to Morgana’s evil hidden compartment.
The redhead nodded. “There are two in this library and one in a smaller archive room. But there’s nothing left in that one.”
Aliana bit her tongue so hard she tasted blood. It wasn’t going to stay empty.
Merlin cleared his throat. “Are you going to tell her?”
She swallowed the mild copper taste before answering. “I’m here in Camelot because I was told there was an artifact I could find that would lead me to the Grail of Power.”
Guin blinked. “The Grail of Power?” Her eyes jumped to Merlin. “You told us about it, when we were kids, but I didn’t think it really existed.”
“Oh, it’s real!” Aliana ran a hand over her still cloaked ruby. “I need to find—whatever it is—that can lead me to it, so I can return home.” She didn’t mention the battle that would follow her return.
Guin looked around the library. “Merlin, have you checked in the hidden room in the back?” she whispered.
The Druid shook his head. “That is the only one I haven’t checked.”
Guin wrapped her arm through Aliana’s. “Then you and I will go take a look.”
Aliana hesitated. “What about the scroll Dagg found?”
The Dragon swished his tail. “I don’t know what is in them. You should still go search that room.”
Guin led Aliana through the row of book shelves, past a few statues and an old man who was hunched over a smaller desk in one corner.
“That is Sir Magnus. He is the court record keeper,” Guinevere whispered as they cut him a wide berth.
“Does he know about the rooms?”
“Not as far as I know. Arthur, Galahad, Lancelot, Merlin and I found these rooms by accident as kids. Magnus would always get angry or suspicious when we would all come, but he never found us in the rooms. Even now he still gets temperamental about us roaming around. These archives are his life’s work.”
They stopped in front of a tall shelf with a beautiful, long flag bearing the Pendragon crest hung next to it. Guin let go of Aliana’s arm and ran her fingers down the stones on the edge of the shelf. Her fingers stopped halfway.
“Ah!” The faint sound of stone scraping startled Aliana. She half expected the bookcase to spring forward, like it did for the other room. Instead the redhead pulled the flag aside, revealing a door crack. She pushed the hidden door open, motioning for Aliana to follow.
But Aliana stood frozen. The room was totally dark. Darker than a true midnight sky without stars.
“Come, Aliana.” Guin motioned her forward.
“You are safe, Aliana. Do you need me?” Dagg’s calming effect helped to release the tension in her stiff body.
“I’m okay.” And she would be, darn it! She wasn’t going to let her fear of what may be hiding in the dark stop her. She was already facing down one hideous monster that hid in the darkness.
Aliana moved her feet forward before she could chicken out. She stepped through the thin door and past Guin who was watching her with worried eyes. The door shut and Aliana’s heart seized the instant before she could stave off the small burst of panic.
Lights flared and burst on her right then her left. The torch fire glowed with an almost orange light.
“Merlin enchanted all the torches here to light with magic fire whenever we come in here.” The redhead smiled as Aliana let out her breath.
“You could have told me that sooner,” Aliana said with an embarrassed flush. Now Guin knew her stupid fear.
“I apologize. Come, we should spread out.” She took down one of the torches and handed it to Aliana before taking another one for herself. “I vaguely remember finding an old tome once that was filled with drawings and stories of magical artifacts. If we are going to find you an answer it may be here.”
The two girls started at different ends, opening book after book and scroll after scroll. Thoughts of her papa invaded Aliana as she worked her way through the shelves. What he would have given to see all these books and scrolls?
With every discarded book, Aliana felt her frustration grow. She wished again for her camera. Maybe it would have somehow helped her find what they were looking for.
“Where is this stupid book!” she hissed, shoving another thick, old and smelly book on a dust-coated shelf.
“Here!” Guin said, grabbing a book on the shelf she had been searching.
Aliana smacked the dust off her hands and went to Guin. They flipped it open as Aliana eyes grew. On the page was a drawing of Excalibur and words written in a scratchy language, like the writing in the Fae book she had read. It was the language of Tir Na Nog!
Guinevere handed Aliana the book. “Take it. We should get back to Merlin and your DragonLord. See what they make of it.”
Aliana followed Guin like a puppet, her eyes roaming over the dusty, spider web infested room of secret treasures. Aliana hoped she’d get the chance to explore this room more before she had to leave.
Merlin and Dagg looked up as they returned. “Did you find anything?” The Druid closed the book in front of him.
“I think so, yes.” Aliana handed him the book. They all gathered around the table as Merlin started searching the pages. There were drawings of Excalibur, a strange looking spear, a magic flower and dozens of other cool, mystifying artifacts, but by the halfway point there was still nothing about the Grail.
Aliana felt the desire to yank out her hair. “This is getting us nowhere.” She pushed up from the table.
Before Merlin could respond Dagg leapt up in the air scrambling to the top of a shelf and out of sight. The serving girl, Clara appeared.
“Pardon, m’lord, m’ladies, but the queen has asked to see Lady Aliana before the banquet starts.”
Guin gasped, shooting up from the table. “We forgot all about the feast!”
Aliana bit back her reply. She wanted to keep searching for any ideas of the Grail. But then again, how many chances would she get to ever attend a party at Camelot?
“The queen awaits you, m’lady.” Clara curtsied and left quickly.
“Take the book,” Merlin said, pressing it into her hands. “You can keep going through it after the feast.”
Guin left quickly on Clara’s heels. Dagg drifted down to her side as Merlin left to.
“I feel guilty, Dagg.” She turned the book over in her hand. “I should be focusing on this task, but I want to see what the feast is like.”
Dagg’s hesitation touched her.
“You don’t approve of my going?” Aliana ran her hand over the book. If she went to the feast, she’d have to face Arthur and Galahad again. She wasn’t sure she could handle that after earlier. Delphina was like the perfect person, or Fae, rather. It was no wonder both guys had been taken with her.
Aliana’s jaw tightened, like her grip on the book. “You’re right. I shouldn’t go.”
She fled the library as the words left her mouth, heading straight for her room.
Dagg flew through the small open window of her room as she closed the door. “You know you cannot avoid them forever.”
Aliana glowered at the Dragon. “Shut it.”
“I agree you need to focus on our quest, but running away from your feelings won’t help us either.”
Aliana flopped down on her bed and opened the new book, ignoring the ache in her ribs and forgetting the queen’s summons. Holding out her right hand, she retrieved the Fae woman’s book from her ruby. Lying both side by side, she started to flip through both sets of pages.
18
I still find it difficult to believe
Merlin was wrong about there only being one Well of Realms. It makes me wonder about the Druid. He never made such a mistake in Camelot. Even more astonishing was Lacy’s revelation about her time mirror theory and her and Dawn’s plan to use them. It frustrated me knowing the lasses kept such a large secret from us. I know Percy and the king share my anger. Freya and Delphina had been the ones to calm us all. Now we just have to wait for Puck to reappear. Lacy seems to believe that the trickster can help her understand how to use the Well’s waters. Fortunately Freya and Delphina have agreed to stay with us until we return home.
~Leo
IT WASN’T EASY TO IGNORE the immense disapproval from her guardian, but Aliana did so by burying herself in the mysterious book she hoped would help her complete her quest. She reread the segments on the Underworld, and the information terrified her all over again. The Underlord was thought to be one of the more even tempered of the four great rulers of the realms, but his general worried her the most. If the Underlord was anything like Titania, she could handle that. But this General Alaki was known to be ruthless, treacherous and in the mortal realm he was known as Death himself. The Egyptians had called him Anubis. The Hindi called him Yama. The Japanese knew him as Izanami, and the Greeks called him Thanatos. A man, no, a magic being like that was not one to be taken lightly.
If her task here did involve the Underworld in some way, it was a good bet that she’d have to deal with this guy.
“A task you may need the help of the knights and Arthur for.”
“Dagg, enough! I get it, you don’t like that I’m hiding up here while there’s a party going on.”
A knock on her door stopped their argument. Dagg’s eyes flared purple, sensing who was there. “It’s the queen.” No sooner did he speak the words then her door opened and the queen entered.
She was dressed in a pearl and gold gown, a thick band of gold and jewels circled her head, crowning her pale blond waterfall of curly hair. The matching belt at her waist was clipped together by a thick circle of bronze engraved with the Pendragon crest.
“Should you not be getting ready?”
Aliana looked down at herself, still in her blue dress from earlier. She shrugged, feeling like a child waiting for her mother’s approval. “I guess I got caught up researching.”
“Ah.” The queen didn’t sound convinced.
“I have so much to do, so much about my journey here that I don’t understand. I can’t…let myself keep getting distracted by guys…by things that can’t…”
Igraine sat down on the edge of the bed. “I’ve seen the way you look at my son, and at Sir Galahad. You care deeply for both of them.”
“That doesn’t matter. I’m not even from this time period!” Aliana closed her eyes against the memory of Arthur and Galahad fighting over her on the beach by her house. “And I don’t want to be the cause of problems between Galahad and Arthur,” she lamented.
“Is that the truth, or are you really only afraid to acknowledge what your heart feels?”
Aliana looked to Dagg. His amethyst eyes and smug expression telling her he silently agreed. She felt torn. She really did want to see what parties were like in this time, and maybe she would discover something new tonight. Didn’t she owe it to her father to learn as much about Camelot and its people as she could?
Aliana relented and gave Igraine a wobbly smile.
The queen smiled warmly. “It’s settled then. Get into your dress and I will help you with your hair.”
Less than an hour later Aliana nervously followed the queen down the stairs toward the side door of the Great Hall. Her pink dress fit her like a glove through the bodice, the long sleeves flared at the end, trimmed with the same cream and lavender twined ribbons and gold detailing that made up her heavy belt. The queen had left her hair down, a few segments pulled away from her face and held back by metal pins and ribbons.
Aliana had to beg the queen to let her go in through one of the unobtrusive side entrances. She didn’t want anyone to notice her until she was ready. Delphina was waiting when the side door opened.
“My lady, I am happy you joined us.” She greeted Aliana with a curtsy. If anyone saw her, they would hopefully think the gesture was for the queen and not her.
Aliana ignored the wave of jealousy trying to form. “Thank you. You look lovely, Delphina.” And she did. Her apricot hair was practically shining and her eyes were accented with dark liner and a touch of pink that made her pale green eyes stand out against her darker green dress and china white-blue skin.
Aliana cleared her throat then whispered, “And thank you for keeping my secret for so long. I know it couldn’t have been easy.”
“I think we should join the assembly, ladies.” Igraine smiled warmly and moved toward the crowd. Many parted and bowed to her as she passed, drawing the guys’ attention. She felt Arthur and Galahad’s eyes first, but before she could start to panic, Merlin and Owaine appeared. The two were dressed in their colors, Merlin’s heavy shirt dyed a dark orange, his silver Pendragon knight cuff standing out in contrast. Owaine’s was a lighter blue, almost the color of the sky.
“You look beautiful, Aliana,” Owaine said with a crooked smile as he looked over her and her dress. “You and Delphina outshine all others here.”
Delphina sent him a sideways grin.
“Flattery and charm will get you nowhere with us, Sir Owaine,” Aliana teased and winked at the knight.
They all laughed. “He is not wrong though,” Merlin said bowing his head to her. “You do look very lovely.” Merlin offered Aliana his arm.
Looping her hand through his arm, Delphina taking Owaine’s offered arm, they made their way through the throng of partiers dancing along to the drums and lively music. The hall was lit with hundreds of torches, streamers of colored fabrics and fresh flower garlands hung from the upper railings and along the walls. People talked and roared with laughter, all dressed in clothes much finer than she would have thought possible for this age. Aliana caught sight of the other knights, all spread out through the room. All were dressed like Merlin and Owaine, only in their family’s colors. There were two banquet tables filled with roasted and fried meats and seafood, ripe fruits, nuts and cheeses and breads.
Aliana’s stomach rumbled at the scent. “The hall looks amazing! And the food smells great, Merlin.”
The Druid laughed and led her to the table, handing her a plate that a servant rushed over. Aliana nibbled while Merlin, Owaine and Delphina told her more about the party and the visiting people that had come, even dignitaries from other kingdoms. Gawain and Leyon joined them, each with a woman pressed closely to their sides sipping wine.
“Glad you decided to join us, Aliana,” Gawain said.
Aliana sent him a cheeky grin, feeling much more relaxed than expected. “Well, I was told this was supposed to be a grand celebration. How could I pass that up?”
Aliana remembered the gallery party where she had last danced with her best friend. Before the homesickness could set in Lancelot, Guin and Morgana joined their growing party. Morgana’s dress was the beautiful yellow fabric they had looked at the merchant’s stand, and Aliana had been right then; Morgana practically glowed with warmth and magic and beauty. Both girls had their hair piled up in curls in a very Roman fashion, each wearing delicate gold or silver necklaces.
Merlin went to Morgana’s side, his arm wrapping around the Sorceress’s waist as she happily leaned into her Druid. Guin stayed at Lancelot’s side, their hands entwined the whole time. They laughed and joked and Aliana took in all the splendor she could not have imagined being possible in this time. Vira danced in the center of the room with two girls she recognized from the market. Several younger boys were watching the trio with avid interest, taking turns trying to push each other forward toward the three dancing girls.
The song changed and the boys made their approach. Aliana smiled as Vira blushed when one with blond hair kissed her hand.
“Someone better head Galahad off,�
�� Morgana teased.
Aliana looked past Vira and saw the knight, dressed in dark green, black and silvery white accents, heading toward his sister with a frown. Sir Percival got to him before he got within a few feet of the flirting teens. The giant knight laughingly shoved Galahad’s shoulder, saying something that had Galahad’s mouth breaking into a grin.
“Arthur!” Merlin and Owaine greeted, drawing Aliana’s attention from the dance floor.
Gawain wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Look who decided to grace us with her presence.”
The king was dressed in a fancy red tunic and dark pants, Excalibur strapped to his waist, the gold of the hilt matching the gold, peaked crown adorned with half a dozen blood red rubies that rested on his dark head. Even his brown eyes seemed to glow like gold in all the candle light.
Aliana tried to calm the nervous churning of her stomach and keep her face impassive instead of letting on just how apprehensive she felt around him. What was she supposed to say to him after earlier? Galahad too, for that matter. She didn’t want to spoil the good time everyone else seemed to be having. The best thing for all of them would be for her to forget it; act like it never happened and didn’t matter. Maybe she’d convince herself of that too.
“Sire,” she greeted, bowing her head. “This feast is wonderful.”
“Thank you.” Arthur took Gawain’s place as the knight stepped back and stole Guin from Lancelot for a dance. “I am glad you came down,” he said in a low voice, leaning into her. “I am sorry I upset you earlier. Especially when you still have not recovered from the attack yesterday.”
She gave him a smile. “You don’t need to apologize. I overreacted. Who you care for, or are with, is none of my business.”
Galahad and Percival joined them before Arthur could reply.
“Where is your Dragon guardian, lass?” Leyon asked, drawing her attention from the two men.
Aliana held out her wrist, Dagg’s silver form gleaming. “He rarely leaves me.”
The Scot’s eyes were bright with excitement. “Aye, we all knew there was more to you than meets the eye.” He smiled. “There is still more to learn of you though, I suspect.”
