Hello people, I'm back. I was planning on just writing a sequel to The Start of an Apology, but then one day when I was walking home, I was cornered in a dark alley by a whole gang of plot bunnies and suddenly I found myself planning a whole series. So there you have it, I'm going to make this a series!
Please read The Start of an Apology before reading this.
Hope you enjoy!
The land was barren. It seemed that every living creature there was afraid of the dark. Even the moon was afraid; it did not make an appearance to light the stranger's path. Consequently it was pitch black, and the man making his way along the rough, beaten road could not see his hand in front of his face. The only lights were in the distance, the lights of civilisation.
The air was cold, the northern winds blowing harshly at the stranger, threatening to steal his cloak. He wrapped it tighter around his body and continued on his way.
The dry leaves of autumn skittered across his path, and the wind lifted them upwards to brush against the man's cheek. He waved them away irritably and quickened his pace; he couldn't lose any more time.
He was among the lights now; they were the flickering of candles from windows and fire pits burning in the street. He ignored everything around him, heading straight for the dark mass ahead of him. When he came closer he could see what it was, the palace.
The guards tried to stop him from entering, but he just waved a hand and they were flung backwards, their skulls cracking against the walls. He marched purposefully down the corridor, his sights fixed on the large oak doors before him. Music was coming from behind them, along with the sounds of raucous singing and laughter. It would seem that they were celebrating something. The stranger couldn't tell whether it was some kind of festival or just for the sake of it, the customs of these people were beyond him.
Two more guards were posted outside the doors and upon seeing the man they readied their weapons, but again with a casual flick of the wrist they were sent flying. The stranger moved past them, not even sparing a glance for the men he had just killed.
He directed his palm to the doors and with a bang they flew open. The laughter and music died away when the people inside saw the man in the doorway. He strode into the room, ignoring the stares from either side of him. He walked straight down the middle of the room, heading for the man sat at the dais, the king.
The king made no move to summon any guards, he seemed curious as to what the stranger wanted. The man reached him and paused, then bent down on one knee, bowing his head.
"My greetings, your highness," he said, in a clear voice.
"What is it you want boy?" the king asked.
"I seek an audience with your daughter," he said, raising his head to look the king in the eye.
The king roared with laughter, as did some of the people around the room.
"My daughter is no common whore, boy! You will get nothing from her!" he said loudly.
The stranger said nothing, waiting for the laughter to die away. When it did, he said, "That was not my intention, sire."
The king narrowed his eyes and asked, "Then what do you want with her?"
"I require her abilities," he replied.
The king narrowed his eyes even further.
"What abilities do you speak of?" he asked.
"You know the ones, my lord."
The king looked at him suspiciously, then said, "Tell us boy, why do you need her?"
"I have use of her talents, and I hope that one day they will help me bring our enemies to their knees."
The king sat up a little straighter at this.
"And what enemies do you speak of?" he asked.
The stranger leaned forwards slightly.
"You know the ones, my lord."
The king deliberated for a while, then said, "Very well, tell us what you plan to do with my daughter."
He gestured to a woman sitting to his left. She had long blond hair and blue eyes. Her features were gentle and kind. A very beautiful woman, but not the one he was searching for.
"Wrong daughter, my lord," he said.
The king frowned.
"I have but one daughter and this is she," he said.
The stranger smiled.
"I think not," he said.
His gaze was caught by a slight movement behind the king. It was a serving boy, tall with dark eyes. The stranger's smile widened and he said, "Ah! There you are princess! Would you be so kind as to grace us with your true form?"
The servant's eyes widened and whisperings broke out around the hall, people wondering it the man was quite sane. But then the whisperings turned to gasps and yells as the serving boy started to change.
He shrunk in height and his hair grew longer. His features became sharper, his skin turned milky white and his hair turned from a dark brown to a golden red. His eyes were still as dark as ever though. In less than ten seconds, a girl was standing before them, no more than eighteen. She was still wearing the servant's clothes, along with a curious expression on her face. She eyed the stranger with interest and finally said, "You are clever to have seen me for my true form. What is it you wish from me?"
"I require you to enter the kingdom of your enemies and steal the heart of a man there. This man is essential if the kingdom is to fall," the man said.
The princess's face lit up at the prospect of leaving her home.
"Father," she said eagerly. "I wish to go with this man."
The king looked at her with concern.
"Are you sure, daughter?" he asked.
"Quite. When can we leave?" she asked the stranger.
"As soon as you are ready," he replied. "I shall wait for you outside."
He turned to leave, but the king called him back.
"Wait," he said. "If you are to take my daughter, may I at least know who you are?"
The stranger turned back slowly.
"I come from Camelot," he said.
Ripples of unease spread throughout the hall.
"But I am no friend to them," he continued. "I am a druid. My home was stolen from me by the king, I wish him only death."
"And your name?" the king prompted.
The stranger's eyes met his.
"Mordred."
So who knows who the latest mystery woman is? Don't worry, I won't be dragging the mystery out for so long in this one. Like Elaine, the princess is a character from the legend that never appeared in the show. It shouldn't be too hard to guess who she is if you know the legends well.
Updates will be slow for a while because I'm lacking a little on inspiration and I have to write an alternative ending to Of Mice and Men by Thursday. Sorry about that, but I will preserve!