The Last Knight (Pendragon Book 1)

by Nicola S. Dorrington

  She can’t touch you at the Lake, Arthur reassured me. But she must be stopped. That is your fate, your destiny.

  Destiny. The word jolted a memory in the back of my mind. A dream I hadn’t thought about for a few days. The dream that had started all this. It came back to me in a confused rush. The dark sky, the circle of stones, and the figure on the distant hilltop. The one full of unshakable evil. Only now it had a name.

  Morgana Le Fay.

  The unbearable helplessness from the dream came flooding back, so much stronger now I really knew what I was facing, and I gasped, my knees buckling under me.

  Strong arms caught me, keeping me on my feet even when my legs refused to support me. I felt them wrap around my waist from behind, holding me steady against a warm, broad chest.

  Cara? Arthur’s voice was worried and intense, but I could only focus on the voice behind me.

  “I’ve got you. Are you all right?”

  Lance’s voice was low and rough with concern. I could feel it rumbling through his chest. When I didn’t answer his arms tightened and he turned me towards him. The top of my head barely reached his shoulder. Keeping me tight against his chest he caught my chin in one hand and tipped my face up towards his.

  “Cara? What’s wrong? Your heart’s pounding.”

  I didn’t want to admit, even to myself, that the pounding increased when he brought his face even closer to mine. His dark eyelashes fluttered against his cheeks as he blinked, and I felt his hot breath on my cheek. All thoughts of Morgana were pushed out by Lance’s proximity. Being so close to him was doing strange things to my temperature and heart rate.

  I suddenly remembered I was supposed to be angry at him and I pushed against his chest to make him release me. For a moment he resisted, then he let go abruptly and I staggered back a step.

  “Please…Cariad…”

  I didn’t know what the word meant but the way he said it lifted the hairs on my arms. I wanted to be angry at him; I wanted to hate him for lying to me. But mostly I was angry at myself, furious for letting my feelings get away from me. I’d started to fall for him, I could admit it to myself if no one else, but any affection Lance had shown me was out of duty, nothing more, and I felt stupid. I stumbled away from him in the direction of the fire where Merlin was waiting for me. He glanced over my shoulder at Lance and then back down at my pale face.

  “What is it, Cara?”

  “A dream. I remembered a dream about Morgana.”

  Merlin guided me over to the log then crouched down in front of me.

  “What did you see?”

  “A stone circle. The sky was dark.” I closed my eyes trying to remember every detail even though it sent a chill down my spine. It was hard to remember anything beyond the figure on the hilltop. Despite the heat of the fire I shivered violently.

  “Don’t worry,” Merlin said, touching my shoulder. “Don’t think about it if it distresses you. Perhaps it would be best if you got some sleep.”

  I glanced around at the grassy bank. “Where exactly?”

  Beside me Percy chuckled. “Tonight, my lady, you get to sleep under the stars.” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder to a spot just under the trees that had been cleared of undergrowth and fallen branches.

  I’d never been camping in my life. I’d slept every night on a warm, comfortable bed. Lying on the cold, hard ground didn’t really appeal to me.

  It was Percy who took my elbow to help me to my feet, and Percy who grabbed his jacket to fold into a slightly lumpy pillow.

  The whole time I could feel Lance watching me. He looked hurt and frustrated, but I wasn’t prepared to try and make him feel better. I had to deal with my own hurt and frustration first. I had to bury whatever feelings I had started to have for him so that I could see him as he really was, a guide and protector, nothing more.

  I lay back on the hard ground, scrunching my shoulders to get comfortable. I gave up pretty quickly. Nothing was going to make the ground comfortable. With my head on Percy’s jacket I rolled onto my side, facing the fire.

  The flames were starting to die down, but I could still see the three men gathered around it. Merlin had walked away and stood at the edge of the Lake, staring into it as though reading something there.

  My eyes flicked back to the fire and I caught Lance turned away from it, his blue eyes staring my way.

  I snapped mine shut, trying to block out everything but the rustling of the leaves overhead.

  Don’t be too hard on Lancelot. He did what he thought was best.

  I don’t care, I replied, knowing I sounded childish. I waited for a response form Arthur, but there was only silence.

  Chapter Fifteen

  There was a voice calling me. Soft but insistent. I tried to ignore it and slip deeper into sleep. I’d been dreaming. I couldn’t remember exactly what it was about, but it had been good.

  A cool breeze made me shiver and I gave up. Cracking open my eyes, I glanced around. It was almost dawn. The sky had cleared overnight and was a steely grey tinged pink on the eastern horizon.

  The fire had died to cold, grey ashes, but around it lay the shapes of Lance, Percy and Wyn. One of them was snoring. Loudly. Now I was awake I didn’t know how I’d slept through it.

  I sat up and a familiar black leather jacket slipped off me. I started to shove it away, but the cold air was lifting goose-bumps on my arms so I shrugged it on. It still smelt of Lance.

  “Caronwyn.”

  My name was said so softly I almost thought it was my imagination. It wasn’t Arthur, or any of the others. For a start the voice was female.

  I glanced around nervously, then tiptoed out from the trees and down to the lake. It was Percy who was snoring. He grunted and rolled over as I walked past. Lance was lying only a few feet away from him. He looked younger asleep, shifting as I came nearer, but not waking.

  I reached the water, scanning the trees for the woman calling my name, but saw nothing. I must have been dreaming. I crouched down to splash some water over my face. It was icy cold and woke me far more effectively than any alarm clock.

  “Caronwyn.”

  The soft whisper came again and I looked around sharply. The trees had parted along the shore, leaving a narrow path. The magic still gave me a feeling of unease. I had no idea who it could be or what they might want, but I was filled with curiosity. I glanced back at Lance then started towards it, wondering if I was making a big mistake. Was following a magic path as bad as falling down the rabbit hole?

  The path led in the opposite direction from the one I’d taken with Merlin the day before. Every time I hesitated the voice called softly again, beckoning me on. I’d been walking for about ten minutes when the path led right down to the water’s edge and I stopped dead.

  A woman stood waist deep in the cold water of the lake. No, not a woman, I corrected myself. There was no way she was human.

  Her hair was the blackest I’d ever seen, tumbling around her shoulders and down her back until it spread out, floating in the water. Strange amber eyes glowed with an inner fire and perfect lips curved into a smile as she saw me.

  I, on the other hand, felt very self-conscious. She was beautiful and I must’ve looked a right state. I hadn’t brushed my hair in days. She made me feel like a child, dirty and unwashed in the presence of greatness.

  She didn’t seem to notice. When she stepped out of the water she wasn’t even damp. A long dress swirled bone dry around her ankles as she came towards me. Strangely, I wasn’t afraid. This creature before me was too perfect, too beautiful to ever cause me harm.

  “Caronwyn.” Taking my shoulders she placed a motherly kiss on my forehead, sending a shiver of warmth through me. “I am Nimue, though some call me the Lady of the Lake.”

  “You’re one of the Fair Folk,” I said in a trembling voice. Their name made sense now.

  A soft smile curved her lips. “Yes. I am Fay. I wish to speak to you, but first, perhaps you would feel more comfortable after you ba
the.”

  She pointed to the bank of the lake. A small pile sat there, a soft towel, a comb and a toothbrush, and a pile of clean clothes. I was certain it hadn’t been there two minutes before.

  “How did you know?”

  Her eyes crinkled into a smile, for a moment she reminded me of my mother. “You’ve had a difficult few days. I know bathing always makes me feel better.”

  She was right. I longed to be clean, as though having a bath could wash away more than just the dirt. I normally would have felt embarrassed stripping off in front of someone else, but Nimue was different. I shrugged out of Lance’ jacket and tugged off my jeans, wading out into the water the moment I was ready.

  I gasped a little at the cold water, but it wasn’t freezing and I ducked down under the surface to wash my hair.

  I didn’t need soap yet I could feel the lake washing away the grime of the last few days, the blood and dust. The water around me didn’t get murky; the dirt simply disappeared. I scrubbed at my teeth with the toothbrush and then combed out my hair before climbing back out of the water.

  The towel was thick and fluffy and I dried myself quickly. Then I turned to the clothes. There were no jeans, no t-shirts. Just a long dress in pale green.

  I picked it up and glanced towards Nimue. She was smiling almost slyly.

  “I really don’t understand the way you human women today dress like men.”

  I laughed. I hadn’t worn a dress since I was a kid in pigtails, but I pulled it on, surprised by how soft and warm the material was against my skin. Looking down at myself I had to admit, it fitted me well. The neckline was high, sitting just below the hollow of my throat, but it hugged my waist and hips before falling away to the floor.

  Nimue nodded with appreciation. “Now you look like a true Pendragon.” She reached for my hand and I gave it to her willingly. “Do you know me, Cara Pendragon?”

  I gave a little shrug. “You’re the Lady of the Lake. You gave Excalibur to Arthur, and, well, you have something to do with Merlin.”

  She laughed, a tinkling, musical sound. “Merlin and I are – very old friends. But, yes, I gave Excalibur to Arthur, and that is why I wished to speak with you. You must reclaim the sword.”

  “Excalibur? Why? I can’t use a sword.”

  “That is not a concern. My concern is that only a Pendragon can wield Excalibur and the magic it contains. But Morgana possesses Pendragon blood also. If she claims it then there will be no way to defeat her.”

  Leading me by the hand she took me to a smooth stone and we sat.

  “Don’t you have Excalibur?” I asked with a frown.

  She shook her head. “No. Excalibur was lost centuries ago. When Arthur fell Excalibur was left on the field of battle. In the midst of escorting him to Avalon it was forgotten. What happened to it after I cannot tell. But I can direct you to the battle field, and from there perhaps you can track it.” She paused. “There is another reason you may wish to find Excalibur. It is the only weapon that can destroy the wraiths.”

  I felt a surge of excitement. So Lance was wrong: the wraiths could be killed. Gently curling her fingers around my shoulder she turned me to look at her. Those amber eyes were enchanting. I couldn’t look away.

  “I didn’t just bring you here to tell you about the sword, Cara. I wanted to meet you. You have a great weight on your shoulders. But I want you to know that you are strong enough to bear it. Trust in Merlin, and in Lancelot.” She held up one hand to forestall my reply. “I know you are hurting at the moment, but you will come to realise that Lancelot is human, and as a human is going to make mistakes. Trust him.”

  I blinked and she was gone. I was alone in the clearing. A wave of loneliness swept over me and my eyes blurred with tears. I knew enough to know it was the power of the Fair Folk, and the pull of the magic in my blood to them.

  It took me a few minutes to compose myself before I stood up. Lance’s jacket and my own dirty clothes still lay in a pile by the water and I gathered them up before starting back through the trees.

  Raised voices reached me just a few yards from our bank.

  “I’m going to look for her.”

  “Sit down, Lancelot. I’ve told you already, no harm can come to her here. She is perfectly safe.”

  “And what if she’d tried to go back to the car? You don’t know that she’s really accepted all this. She could be trying to go home.”

  A little ball of warmth grew in the pit of my stomach at the panicked sound of Lance’s voice, but I doused it. It’s his duty, I told myself, but I sped up through the trees.

  Lance stood by the fire with Wyn holding one of his arms. Merlin stood in front of them both, his hands outstretched as if to calm them. Percy, meanwhile, sat eating the remains of last night’s supper, oblivious to any drama.

  They must have heard my footsteps because they all turned towards me. Lance’s eyes widened in wonder as they raked my body.

  “Cara?”

  Merlin smiled warmly. “I did wonder if perhaps you had gone to her.”

  “Her?” Lance glanced quickly at Merlin and back at me.

  “Nimue. Only she would have presented her with such a dress.”

  I smiled. “I don’t think she liked my jeans. I’m not usually a dress person.”

  “Suits you,” Percy said, barely glancing up from his breakfast.

  Lance let out a choked little noise. “She looks like…”

  “I know.” Merlin patted him on the arm. “I know.” He turned back to me and I dragged my eyes away from the expression on Lance’s face. I didn’t even want to try and figure out what it meant.

  “What did Nimue have to tell you?” Merlin asked.

  I picked up the skirt of the dress to cross the grass to him. “She told me I had to find Excalibur.”

  Merlin’s face lit with excitement. “She told you where to find it?”

  I frowned. “Well, no. She said I had to go to where it was last seen. The battle field where Arthur died. She said I would be able to trace it from there. But she didn’t tell me where the battlefield was.”

  “That’s all right,” Wyn said with a grimace. “We know where it is.”

  “You do?”

  He half smiled at the confused expression on my face. “I should hope so. We all fought there too. Well, except for Lancelot.”

  “I was there,” Lance snapped.

  “In the end.” I’d never heard Wyn so bitter, and he seemed to realise it too because he shook his head quickly. “Sorry, Lancelot, I didn’t mean that.”

  “You did, but you’re right.” Lance scrubbed his hand over his face. “I never thought I’d have to see that place again. We’ll leave straight away.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Even though we were agreed that we had to start the search for Excalibur as soon as possible, there were a few things that needed to be sorted out before we could go anywhere. My dress for starters.

  “It’s a perfectly respectable dress,” Merlin protested when I mentioned it.

  “I’m sure it is. If this was the middle-ages. But I think I might get a few funny looks walking down the street dressed like this.”

  “We need to sort out the car as well,” Wyn said from where he was hunkered down by the fire. “It will have been reported stolen, and I don’t think we want to get pulled over by the police.”

  Something that had been bugging me since the day before pushed to the front of my mind. “Talking of the car, how can you drive? I’m fairly sure cars didn’t exist back when…well...back then.”

  Wyn grinned up at me. “No, they certainly didn’t. But I like them, they’re fast.”

  Merlin made a little noise of disapproval, but answered my question. “The old magic I used to bring them back allowed me to combine their memories with those of people from this time. I needed them to have knowledge of modern technology, modern language. They needed to be able to integrate into this time.”

  “And that worked?” It’s not that I dou
bted him as much as I was just amazed. Apart from the occasional word or strange comment I had never suspected them of being anything other than slightly odd teenage boys. Even knowing who they were it was hard to picture them as anything else.

  “Very well, actually,” Merlin said. “Of course, while I was able to give them modern memories, I was not able to give them modern identities, which is why Wyn can drive but has no driving licence.”

  I struggled to get my head around it, and then dismissed it. It didn’t matter. And talking about it only reminded me that Lance and the others weren’t really human, and I was trying not to think about it. Magic and all it entailed was still something far beyond my grasp.

  “So, what do we do about the car?” I asked instead.

  “We need to dump it and get another one,” Wyn replied simply. “Do you have any more of that money?” he added to Merlin.

  Merlin sighed and reached into his pocket. He tugged out a bundle of notes. “I really don’t like doing this, I’m sure it’s immoral somehow.”

  Wyn’s eyes sparkled. “I can steal another car if you’d prefer.” He plucked the money out of Merlin’s unresisting hand. “All right, I’ll head into the closest town. I’ll dump the car and pick up a new one.”

  “And get me new clothes,” I added.

  “You want me to buy women’s clothes?” Wyn’s horrified expression was almost comical.

  Percy rolled his eyes. “I’ll come with you. I can do that whilst you get the car.”

  “Very well,” Merlin said, clapping his hands together. “You’d better get started; it’s an hour’s drive to the nearest town. Neither of the villages will have somewhere you can buy a car.”

  The two men got to their feet but Percy hesitated, looking back at me.

  “Do you have a favourite colour?”

  I made a face. “Just go.”

  A heavy silence fell as they left. Merlin walked away towards the water, his eyes seeing something there that I couldn’t. Perhaps he saw the future there, the way I saw it in my dreams. I wondered if he was trying to see some sign there that we were on the right path.