1 The Ancient Sword and the Golden Maiden
I am only borrowing Will, Bran, Merriman and all the other characters from the Dark is Rising Series. The rest are all mine. I'm not making any money from this.
I hope you enjoy!
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Will Stanton and Bran Davies were sitting on platform four of a very wet and slippery station. It was a depressing, drizzly day. The pouring rain had not relented, and the boxy houses and barns were splattered in brown, sticky mud.
They had been waiting half an hour now, for the five o'clock train to arrive. A friend of Will's Master, Mr Michael Arthorn, was returning to Wales. During his last stay, they had heard that he had discovered a hidden wonder of which no one knew of yet. For it could just be any old piece of ancient history and archaeology, which was lying around. Mr Arthorn was an archaeologist from Buckinghamshire. Will's Master, Merriman Lyon had known him for several years, each being in the same profession.
Merriman stepped out from the tiny grubby bar next to the ticket office, carrying three steaming mugs of hot chocolate.
'If they don't hurry up soon I'm going home,' moaned Bran grumpily. He gratefully took the offered mug.
'They won't be too much longer,' replied Merriman calmly, taking a sit next to Will. It had been about four years before the eldest of the old ones had returned; far sooner than Will had expected, but by no means was it unwelcome.
Will recalled the tremendous struggle against the Dark. He could still feel its presence, though it was very much diminished now. The Dark would have to wait another eternity before they could rise again.
All three were half way through their mugs when the lights finally started to flash. With a relieved sigh Will stood to stretch. Even being an old one did not stop his sixteen-year-old body from growing impatient. The train drew in swiftly stopping at a jerk. From the open carriage doors a middle- aged man stepped out. He had curly greying hair and wore an old pair of jeans, and a grey jumper. A large rug sack was perched on his back, making him look he might topple over backwards any second. He moved swiftly from the train, spying Merriman and a friendly, kind smile appeared on his round face. Just then someone lese appeared, out from behind him, who they had barely noticed. She walked forward with a slightly hesitant step, but kept up easily with the older man's stride. She had her hair pinned up in a sort of loose knot at the back, with a bandana keeping any stray strands from her face. She also wore jeans, with a pretty purple strap-top and a warm looking, black cardigan. She also carried a bag, but this was slung over her shoulder.
Merriman took Mr Arthorn's hand, 'It's marvellous to see you again old friend, I fear the earth has spun round the sun too many times since our last meeting.'
'It has indeed, my dear Merry. you have not met my daughter, Gwen, I believe. L hope you will not be inconvenienced by her stay; she very rarely gets to come out with me on one of my excavations, and she sorely enjoys them. The girl,Gwen stepped forward and shook Merry's hand. She smiled somewhat uneasily.
'This is Will Stanton and Bran Davies, they are pupils of mine. If its alright with you, they also hope to join us,' Merry introduced them.
'Oh fine, fine,' said Arthorn, good-naturedly, 'the more the merrier, I always say!'
'Pleased to meet you,' Bran and Will spoke, also shaking his hand.
'We best be off, I do not really think the boys could stand much more of this weather. The car's this way,' Merry finally spoke, to Will and Bran's relief. They trudged through the mud to the small car park.
I am only borrowing Will, Bran, Merriman and all the other characters from the Dark is Rising Series. The rest are all mine. I'm not making any money from this.
I hope you enjoy!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
Will Stanton and Bran Davies were sitting on platform four of a very wet and slippery station. It was a depressing, drizzly day. The pouring rain had not relented, and the boxy houses and barns were splattered in brown, sticky mud.
They had been waiting half an hour now, for the five o'clock train to arrive. A friend of Will's Master, Mr Michael Arthorn, was returning to Wales. During his last stay, they had heard that he had discovered a hidden wonder of which no one knew of yet. For it could just be any old piece of ancient history and archaeology, which was lying around. Mr Arthorn was an archaeologist from Buckinghamshire. Will's Master, Merriman Lyon had known him for several years, each being in the same profession.
Merriman stepped out from the tiny grubby bar next to the ticket office, carrying three steaming mugs of hot chocolate.
'If they don't hurry up soon I'm going home,' moaned Bran grumpily. He gratefully took the offered mug.
'They won't be too much longer,' replied Merriman calmly, taking a sit next to Will. It had been about four years before the eldest of the old ones had returned; far sooner than Will had expected, but by no means was it unwelcome.
Will recalled the tremendous struggle against the Dark. He could still feel its presence, though it was very much diminished now. The Dark would have to wait another eternity before they could rise again.
All three were half way through their mugs when the lights finally started to flash. With a relieved sigh Will stood to stretch. Even being an old one did not stop his sixteen-year-old body from growing impatient. The train drew in swiftly stopping at a jerk. From the open carriage doors a middle- aged man stepped out. He had curly greying hair and wore an old pair of jeans, and a grey jumper. A large rug sack was perched on his back, making him look he might topple over backwards any second. He moved swiftly from the train, spying Merriman and a friendly, kind smile appeared on his round face. Just then someone lese appeared, out from behind him, who they had barely noticed. She walked forward with a slightly hesitant step, but kept up easily with the older man's stride. She had her hair pinned up in a sort of loose knot at the back, with a bandana keeping any stray strands from her face. She also wore jeans, with a pretty purple strap-top and a warm looking, black cardigan. She also carried a bag, but this was slung over her shoulder.
Merriman took Mr Arthorn's hand, 'It's marvellous to see you again old friend, I fear the earth has spun round the sun too many times since our last meeting.'
'It has indeed, my dear Merry. you have not met my daughter, Gwen, I believe. L hope you will not be inconvenienced by her stay; she very rarely gets to come out with me on one of my excavations, and she sorely enjoys them. The girl,Gwen stepped forward and shook Merry's hand. She smiled somewhat uneasily.
'This is Will Stanton and Bran Davies, they are pupils of mine. If its alright with you, they also hope to join us,' Merry introduced them.
'Oh fine, fine,' said Arthorn, good-naturedly, 'the more the merrier, I always say!'
'Pleased to meet you,' Bran and Will spoke, also shaking his hand.
'We best be off, I do not really think the boys could stand much more of this weather. The car's this way,' Merry finally spoke, to Will and Bran's relief. They trudged through the mud to the small car park.