Chapter Eleven: Secrets and Sorceresses
Present Day
A fearful heart pounded loudly, as a pair of feet flew down the stone corridors, and a long dress whispered along the ground, as blue as tears.
Rounding a corner, a loud gasp erupted from her when she saw her escape was blocked by another.
"Please... let me try and help you, my lady." Agravaine's smile was sly, full of cruel purpose.
Morgana lifted a trembling hand to her throat, feeling her pulse leap wildly. "No!" she cried out, her voice high, which carried down the passageways.
Suddenly, a loud gust of wind blew the windows along the corridor open, making Morgana shriek. Fog slid in like a river, thick and gray, obscuring her vision and hiding her from the other person.
A slim hand shot out, grabbing Morgana's wrist while another clasped over her mouth before she could scream again.
Morgana gave a muffled cry, struggling against her captor's grip. She felt herself being pulled away, back down the hall from which she came.
A soft brush of breath cascaded down her neck as someone whispered into her ear, "You're safe, my lady. Come, quietly now."
This time, Morgana did not make a noise, relief trickling into her veins at the sound of the familiar voice. She turned her wrist to in turn grab the hand that held her, squeezing it tightly.
Then she was outside, into the sunlight that was far too bright after being in the fog, and she had to blink a few times before gathering her bearings. But insistent hands pushed her on, and she glimpsed Iris' pale, serious face before she found herself mounting a horse.
There was no time for her thoughts or fear to catch her, because then she was clinging to the reins passed to her before her horse took off after Iris' gray steed, both of them heading into the deep forest in a span of minutes.
Morgana felt dizzy, and she worried she would faint and fall from her mount. She barely noticed as Iris dropped back so the horses were shoulder to shoulder, and her hand was again taken by the red haired girl. A powerful feeling, like strength, flowed into her body through Iris into her and she found herself sitting up straighter.
"Follow me!" Iris exclaimed, before pressing her heels into her stallion's side, taking the lead once again.
Ooo0ooO
Three Days Ago
A month had passed since Merlin and Iris sought out the Druids. A month which had been filled with research, reading, and learning for Merlin, and to an extent Iris, who quickly came to understand all there was to learn about Dragon Lord history.
The early morning found Merlin hunched over his last book, his blue eyes greedily soaking up every word. Iris was moving about the chambers, fixing tea for herself and Gaius, while also brewing a remedy for one of Gaius' patients.
Her red hair curled like mad as she peered into the small cauldron, her green eyes gleaming, looking more like a witch than ever. She wore a dark colored dress today, which appeared black but was a very deep indigo color, like the night sky. The color made her fair skin seem paler, and her hair and eyes brighter. The hand that stirred the mixture glinted with her topaz ring, like a crystallized chunk of sunlight.
Gaius and Iris quietly talked amongst themselves, both knowing Merlin was far too enthralled in reading to maintain a proper conversation. They discussed the up coming full moon, and about how that would affect her and Merlin's magic. Of course, they knew the change very well, having lived through many full moons already, but Iris found herself wondering just how much stronger they both were for those three days.
"And what of blood moons? Blue moons?" Iris continued on, not realizing she had been rambling for several minutes. Her eyes narrowed as she added some crushed powder to the brew, pleased when it changed color.
"Iris," Gaius said, patient as ever.
"I suppose I could research the lore, or perhaps ask Kilgharrah-,"
"Iris!"
Iris stopped, hands frozen mid-gesture.
"The tea is done," Gaius told her, giving her a smile.
Iris flushed a deep pink, realizing she had abandoned the tiny pot in the midst of her one-sided conversation. "Thank you," she managed, hiding her pinked cheeks behind a curtain of curls.
Merlin looked up then, blinking. "Did someone say tea?"
Ooo0ooO
Present Day
Miles and miles were placed between the two women and Camelot before Iris slowed her horse down to a walk. Morgana urged her own mount forward so they were side by side again.
Iris saw the questions, and the fear, in Morgana's eyes. Her lips twisted down, unsure how to answer anything she may be asked. Her eyes then moved back to the path on which they traveled, watching for the land mark that would indicate their destination was close.
"Iris, what's happening? Where are we going?" Morgana asked, feeling uneasy when she saw how withdrawn Iris appeared.
Iris' green eyes closed briefly. "Somewhere safe," she said after a moment, in a calm tone.
Morgana looked around, then furrowed her brows when they ascended a wide foothill that looked up towards the staggering peaks of the White Mountains. The flowers and grass were all fading in color, changing the landscape from a bright green to a paler shade of yellow.
Iris kept heading forward, her hands tightening only briefly in Nimbus' mane. She hoped she was making the right choice bringing Morgana here. Without Merlin, she could not summon any help, and therefore she was left without a choice but to come here...
Her mind reached out, her thoughts focused on Merlin, calling to him. But she was met with a cold silence, like a void. She shivered, sending a quiet prayer to the gods that he was safe. Please, she beseeched.
Morgana finally stopped her horse, her eyes narrowing, but the glare was without heat and her hands were still trembling. "Iris, please."
Iris turned Nimbus slightly, meeting Morgana's shadowed gaze. "I am taking you to see a... friend," Iris said slowly. "I believe he will be able to help us."
"And what of the others? Arthur, Gwen? Merlin?"
Iris had to look away again, but this time it was so she could hid the tears that burned behind her eyes. "I'm sure they are all right," she said, even though her voice wavered. "The knights..." Suddenly, a lump rose in her throat, cutting her sentence short.
Morgana's hand reached out, clasping down on Iris' wrist. Her fingers no longer trembled and were very warm, too warm. Iris looked up, and saw the swirls of colors within Morgana's eyes. Their wills seemed to silently battle, before Morgana's hand slipped away.
"All right," she said softly. "Take me to this friend of yours."
Ooo0ooO
Three Days Ago
After tea, Merlin and Iris went off to finish their respective chores for the evening. Iris finished first, having brought Agravaine his dinner in a hasty manner in order to limit her interactions with the lord. Fortunately, the man was enthralled in a large tome, and ignored her entirely.
Wandering into the kitchens, she wondered if there was something she could conjure up, since her stomach was growling. She paused when she saw a few of the knights sitting at one of the long tables.
"Sister!" Gwaine called out, standing to kiss her cheek.
Iris smiled, knowing he only showed his affections when they were not in mixed company. The cook and other maids must be off elsewhere.
Sitting down between her brother and Lancelot, she smiled when Percival scooped up a bowl of stew before placing it front of her. When Leon quietly passed her the freshly baked bread, she found herself laughing, flushed with pleasure. "Well, well, what gracious hosts," she said, after thanking the knights.
Gwaine tugged her hair, and she wrinkled her nose at him. All of them launched into a deep discussion about the next set of weapons they wanted to train Morgana, Gwen, and Iris with. The women were all proficient with the bow and arrow (although there was no argument that that was Iris' area of expertise now), as well as the broad sword (where Morgana excelled).
"Perhaps duel swords?" Iris suggested.
The knights all exchanged a look. "That would help them work on balance, and then they would be able to use both hands to defend themselves," Elyan said after a moment.
"But which of us can take the lead with duel swords?" Percival challenged, lifting a brow.
Iris allowed the knights to go back and forth, because her thoughts had trailed off when Elyan had spoken up. This knight was quieter, and like Percival, one that Iris did not feel she knew very well. Iris found that curious, since she was so very close to Gwen.
The tale of Elyan being Gwen's brother was not as twisted as Iris and Gwaine's. The maid and the knight had grown up in a village close to Camelot, and had become estranged when Elyan began training as a knight. They found themselves in close quarters again when Gwen was taken into the castle as Morgana's handmaiden, but the space between the siblings was still pronounced. Even Gwen did not speak much of it, but Iris could still see the sadness in her friend's eyes whenever the topic was broached. Iris tried to limit her tales of Gwaine around her, out of courtesy.
When the knights finished bantering, the decision remained on duel swords. Leon agreed to take the lead with the training, and Iris found herself leaning forward, eagerness drumming through her veins. Leon and Lancelot had trained the women with the broad sword, and Leon had been an excellent teacher. He was intense and stern, which had been balanced by Lancelot's patience.
Lancelot had brushed Iris away when she began clearing the plates, surprising her once more. She kissed her brother on the cheek, and bid the knights good night before making her way back to the physician's quarters.
While she walked down the quiet halls, she hummed to herself. Noticing how dark it was, thanks to the new moon and low hanging clouds in the night sky, Iris casted a cautious look around. When she figured she was alone, she twisted her wrist, casting a small, silent spell. Fire burst from her hand, centering in her palm where it flickered and casted long shadows.
Guided by her fire, Iris continued along her way, not noticing when a tall shadow moved behind her.
Morgana watched Iris go, her heart hammering against her ribs. The image of Iris conjuring fire out of nothing, of her bright eyes changing from green to a bright copper, whirled in her mind. Turning, she quickly slipped into her rooms, leaning against the door as she tried to catch her breath.
Ooo0ooO
Present Day
The cave next to the wide, crystalline lake was just as Iris remembered it. She instructed Morgana to leave her horse at the water's edge, before whispering into Nimbus' ear. Morgana got a glimpse of her eyes changing color, and although it did not startle her like it had before, she still felt a jolt.
"They'll wait here for us," Iris told her, rubbing her stallion's back one last time.
"They won't run off?"
Iris gave her a slight smile. "No. Nimbus is in charge."
Morgana gave her a confused look, but was only met with a chuckle. She followed Iris as she strode towards the mouth of the cave, which sat on the other side of the lake. She was going to ask why the horses were left so far away, when her eyes caught the gleam of gold within the cave shadows.
"What-?" She paused, shaking her head.
It took them a little while to make their way along the lake, but when they were close, Iris stopped. Turning to Morgana, she gave the other woman a serious look. "Wait here."
"Iris..." Morgana's voice sounded strained with stress.
Iris' expression softened. She took Morgana's hands in hers. "Please. Do you trust me?"
Morgana released a long breath. "Of course."
"Then wait here. And..." Iris struggled to find the words. "Don't... scream."
Morgana's eyes widened, and her cheeks paled.
Wincing, Iris turned and slipped into the cave. She disappeared quickly in the shadows, leaving Morgana trembling at its entrance.
Morgana could hear Iris call out, and flinch when a rather loud crash sounded from deep inside. She jumped again when a deep, growling voice answered Iris, before Iris reemerged. Morgana saw a glint of gold again, and this time it flashed brighter, turning into two coins- no, eyes- and a scream lodged itself in her throat when a massive, golden dragon emerged from the cave.
Kilgharrah reared his head back, studying the slender, dark haired woman before him from down his long snout. Steam blew from his nostrils, and his gold eyes blinked slowly.
"Kilgharrah," Iris hissed in a low voice. She could tell Morgana was ready to faint.
The dragon did not roll his eyes- but instead, casted a narrowed eyed glare towards the sorceress, before lowering his head. "Lady Morgana," he rumbled in greeting. "I have heard many things about you from your friends."
Morgana's eyes darted to Iris briefly, before meeting Kilgharrah's intense stare.
"I am Kilgharrah," the dragon continued, nonplussed by the woman's obvious fear. "Last of the dragons."
Morgana felt a hysterical giggle crawl up her chest, into her throat when the dragon bowed its head at her with better manners than most courtesans. She bit her lip viciously to keep it from bursting forth. Instead, she summoned her courage. She had faced raiders and had trained with Arthur's best knights. She was Uther's former ward, and she found her shoulders straightening.
"Kilgharrah, I am Morgana," she said, giving him the slightest of curtsy's. Her voice was stronger than she expected, and when she met the dragon's eyes again, she saw approval there that casted aside the rest of her fear.
Kilgharrah shifted, lowering his body. His neck snaked down, so his head was level with the women. Iris walked forward, stroking the scales below the dragon's eye. He huffed slightly with pleasure, and Morgana watched with rounded eyes. She realized this was not the first time Iris had dealt with the dragon, and that they were oddly close for a giant mystical beast and a slight woman.
Iris saw the look on Morgana's face and smiled. "Like I said, Kilgharrah is a friend."
A friend, Morgana thought. Iris had spoken in the same way she would have the knights, or Gwen. Drawing in a breath, Morgana stepped forward and hesitated before lying her hand next to Iris'.
The dragon's scales were smooth, like the stones along the lake, and were warm and a deep, rich gold color that shone like amber in the sun. His eye rolled to watch her, and his iris was bright as the topaz ring that sat on Iris' finger. Kilgharrah shifted, exhaling, giving her a glimpse of long, wickedly sharp teeth that were as long as swords.
Iris touched Morgana's hand briefly. Her eyes carried a clear message; You have nothing to fear.
Then Iris began telling Morgana how she came to know the Great Dragon, with Kilgharrah inserting his perspective from time to time. Iris told Morgana about her power, and about how it was nothing to shy away from or fear, but to celebrate.
Morgana felt another breath whoosh out of her lungs when Iris was finished. "Will you show me?"
Iris beamed, then nodded.
Ooo0ooO
Two Days Ago
Morgana did not sleep well that night. It was far too dark in her chamber, despite the many candles and fire Gwen had lit to keep her lady warm. Morgana, however, still felt a chill, and it had nothing to do with the draft. The few dreams she had were filled with copper colored eyes, dancing, magical fires, and a bone deep, thrumming of something inside her veins.
When the sun rose, the sky stayed a muted gray thanks to the clouds. When she pushed open her window, the distant promise of rain could be smelled, along with the smells coming from the market outside the inner walls.
Shivering, Morgana slipped back inside, closing the window and snapping the latch with a jerk of her wrist. She sat down on the edge of her bed again, and flinched when a knock sounded from the door. When she saw it was Gwen, she relaxed.
"Good morning, my lady. Have you been awake for a while?" Gwen asked, noting the curtains were drawn back.
"Good morning, Gwen. No, not for long," Morgana assured her. She rose, moving to her wardrobe. She grabbed the first dress she saw, one that was made from blue velvet that hugged her upper body before cascading down her waist in one fell swoop.
Gwen watched as Morgana sat down at the vanity, pulling a brush through her dark hair. She noted Morgana seemed paler than usual, and dark circles shadowed her eyes. "Did you sleep well?" she ventured.
Morgana sighed, pulling her hair into a long braid so it laid over one shoulder. "No," she admitted. "Bad dreams."
Gwen moved to stand behind Morgana, giving her shoulder a comforting squeeze. "Do you want me to bring you some tea with breakfast?"
Morgana lifted a hand, covering Gwen's. "You're too good for me, Gwen."
Smiling, Gwen turned to bring down the wash. When she opened the door, she started when she saw Lord Agravaine standing at the doorway, his fist raised, posed to knock. "Oh, my lord," Gwen said, recovering to give him a curtsy. She then ducked out of the room quickly.
Agravaine frowned as he watched the maid go, before focusing his dark gaze on Morgana. "My lady," he said, bowing.
Morgana dipped her chin politely, since she was still sitting. "My lord. What brings you here so early?"
Agravaine opened his mouth, then paused when he saw the fatigue etched into Morgana's features. "Troubled sleep, my lady?"
The chin that was lowered, lifted. Morgana reached for some powder, dusting it over her fair skin in an attempt to cover the smudges under her eyes. "Is there something I can assist you with, Agravaine?" she asked, in a tone that had chilled several degrees.
Despite the chill, Agravaine was a clever man, as clever as a fox. He closed the door behind him, then sat at the table, placing down the tome he had finished reading late the previous night. "I finished this last night," he said, gesturing to the book. "I found it to be an educational read."
Morgana hummed in response.
"It's a detailed account of the sorcerers and sorceresses that were tried and killed during Uther's reign," Agravaine continued smoothly.
Morgana made a face, but did not offer a response again.
"And there was an interesting section that described what happened when they tried to use their magic to save themselves," Agravaine said. "They would use spells, both verbal and not, in the common tongue as well as other languages, such as Gaelic or Latin.
"But what I found most... fascinating was the bit about how their eyes changed color," Agravaine added.
The mirror in Morgana's hand slipped, falling to the floor, and shattered.
"Oh!"
Iris and Gwen rushed into the room, both with trays of food, which were hastily deposited on the table before they moved Morgana safely away from the shards.
"Are you all right, my lady?" Gwen asked worriedly, her hand tightening around Morgana's arm.
"Y-yes," Morgana stammered. "Startled." Her eyes latched onto Iris, who was quickly plucking the large pieces onto her folded apron. "Just startled."
Iris rose, looking around. "I'll get a broom to sweep up the rest," she said. "I would put shoes on, my lady, to protect your feet."
Morgana nodded mutely, still staring. When Iris met her gaze, and she saw those deep, bluish green irises, she could only see them fading to copper.
Ooo0oo
Present Day
"Feel the magic around you. It's in everything- the wind, the grass. Let it flow inside you, like a river. It's in your body, flowing through your veins. Do you feel it?"
Morgana breathed deeply. She was aware of Iris' watchful gaze, as well as Kilgharrah's. She could feel the cool wind along her fingertips, and she could smell the grass and the flowers that bloomed close to the dragon's cave. When she searched for that power within her, it didn't feel so much like a flowing river. It felt like a ball of barely controlled lightning.
"Breathe," Iris said softly. "You control the magic, it does not control you."
How? Morgana thought, her brow creasing.
"Do not doubt yourself, young sorceress," Kilgharrah spoke, in that raspy, growling tone. "You must believe in your gift, and yourself."
Morgana's fingertips twitched, and her eyes flew open. She gave Iris a frustrated glance. "But how do I know how to use it?"
Iris shrugged. "For me, I knew... because it called me. I used it to defend myself, like you have, but then I found it was not guiding me so much as I was guiding it." She smiled slowly. "How else would I have tamed a wild stallion?"
Iris stepped forward, straightening her shoulders. She lifted her hands, and Morgana watched as the air stirred at her command. "Magic is balance- it can give and it can take," Iris said, with glowing eyes. Then she summoned her fire, and it danced along her palm. "Now, take the fire from me, and keep it from going out."
Morgana wanted to hesitate, to ask Iris if she was mad. Instead, she extended her own hand, determination blazing inside her like the flame that Iris pass onto her. She felt it dance against her skin, but instead of it burning, it pulsed like a heart. Morgana then felt it, the trickle of magic along her skin, and the flame grew slightly, shifting from a bright red to a hot white briefly before cooling again.
"Very good, Lady Morgana," Kilgharrah said. "You have taken the first step."
Ooo0ooO
Two Days Ago
Agravaine was a shadow Morgana could not escape that day. Wherever she went, he was there, lurking with a gleam in his eye that made her shudder.
And then there was Iris, who seemed to appear when Morgana tried to avoid her more and more. Although the handmaiden was oblivious to Morgana's behavior, that was not missed by the lingering lord.
Eventually, he cornered her in a empty hallway. "You know, don't you?" he hissed, his expression twisting into a sneer. "You know the truth about your little friend."
Morgana backed away from him. "I do not know what you mean, my lord. I must go."
Agravaine's arm lashed out, his hand slapping against the wall to prevent her from fleeing. "Others will come. Others that have suffered at the hand of those... monsters. They will gladly take that wrench off your hands for you, my lady." A cruel smile curled his lips. "I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss her execution. I, for one, am looking forward to the screams."
Morgana shoved him aside, running away, but his hollow laughter still rang in her ears.
Ooo0ooO
One Day Ago
The siege came the next day at dawn. As promised, a well trained, very angry group of men stormed up the castle steps, demanding to see their lord. The knights on duty, Lancelot and Gwaine, exchanged uneasy looks.
"Lord Agravaine has not risen for the day," Gwaine said curtly. "Go about your business elsewhere."
One of the men sneered. "Fancy knight, thinks he can order us about like he's the king."
The blow came unexpectedly, and left Gwaine sprawling halfway down the stone steps. with a bloody gash on his forehead. Lancelot drew his sword, but felt a hard blow on the back of his neck, and his vision went black before he too, fell.
Merlin walked down the corridors to the main entrance, ready to go down to the market to gather some supplies, and to deliver some as well. When the door flung itself open, and the men came pouring in, he barely had time to react. He saw their drawn weapons, and called out silently, Iris!
In a different part of the castle, Iris stumbled when she felt the blow of Merlin's call. She felt the pulse of his magic through their mental link, then suddenly it went horribly dark. Emrys!
Scooping up her skirts, Iris flew down the hallway.
In her rooms, Morgana sighed. She had managed to sleep somewhat better last night, but since the castle was still drafty from the poor weather, she pulled on her velvet dress again.
Then she heard a shout, and froze only a moment before grabbing the dagger she kept in the drawer of her vanity. Holding it tightly, she opened her chamber door slowly.
Men flooded the hallways, all of them dirty and unfamiliar, and Agravaine's warning came back to her. She figured the man mad, but ice crept into her veins when she saw what was unfolding before her.
"Arthur," she mouthed breathlessly.
But when she moved, one of the men spotted her. "Ay, look! This one is pretty." Baring yellow teeth, he approached her, like a predator stalking its prey. Morgana flung the door open, pointing her dagger at his heart.
"Don't come any closer," she warned, even though her voice wavered.
A large hand grabbed her hair, yanking it. Another man drew her close to his body, sniffing her neck like an animal. "Yer right, she is pretty."
Morgana struggled, then turned in hopes of burying her weapon into the man. Instead, he grabbed her wrist and twisted it until she cried out and dropped the dagger.
"Stay away from me!" she screamed, struggling.
The man holding her chuckled. "Who's gonna save ya? We already got rid of yer knights, and next will be yer no good king."
With tears forming in her eyes, Morgana unleashed a terrible scream, and felt something inside her explode and it shot out like bolts, knocking over the men. Panting, with eyes that were no longer blue, Morgana did not spare them a glance before she began running.
Ooo0ooO
Author's Note: But what about the others? Stay tuned...
Please review!