-with a voltage runnin through her skin.

My arm was set and bound, as best as could be bound by the doctors in the field, and I was left to the throbbing pain and myself, everyone else busying themselves in the carnage of the post-battle. I am still to this day in awe of the damage Cath and I managed to somehow wreck on that impenetrable fortress. We wasted more than half of that wall, and I am told after the breach, the Saxons huddled into the castle in mock defense, but were rent piece by piece by our armies. We captured only the leader and his advisors alive, the rest of the Saxons dying by the blade, or perhaps fire. Congratulations were heaped upon Cath and myself, and Lucan informed me that a small portion of several chests of loot from the keep of the castle was to not go to the warchest, but to my own coffers. My astonishment at this show of wealth was soon usurped by excitement, my mind racing to the boundless possibilities of my newfound wealth. The king arrived several days after construction of the wall began. They had not destroyed the dockyards, which earned us further praise and coinage, and a week of feasting was announced. I spent the majority of the feasting and partying elsewhere, nursing my bruised body, and mulling on what Nimue hissed at me in my awen.

To think that I had been given this second sight was beyond me. Druids and bards of old had had that sort of trance, that which lifted the veil between our world and the Otherworld, but many believed only those touched by Satan, or perhaps God would be given the honor now. To think that any celestial or free-bodied spirit wanted to bother with my existence made me laugh. Nimue's words about the angels WAS alarming however. How any could have known of my views concerning the stars, I do not know, but I found a slight chill creep into my heart when I gazed upon the jewels set in the swath of the sky, bringing sadness to something once so happy. It was on the fourth or fifth night, while I sat on the dry dock which would soon be full of builders and carpenters, that my very own liege sought me out. My thoughts had been dancing on the edge of the last part of my dream. It was that of the voice that called out my name, striking Nimue as if physical, and melting the permafrost of her spells on me.

"Sir knight!"

I bounded up before I could register much else, knowing by instinct it was my lord. I bowed deeply, met by his resounding and mirthful laughter. I smiled to him as he sat beside me. I was wary to sit beside him, so used to meeting with him in such strict and reserved situations. He patted the beam he sat upon, and I placed myself gingerly on it, a respectful distance from him. He gazed into the night, his eyes fixed on a point or a star perhaps. I still felt cold when thinking of those bright fires in the sky, and looked to the ocean instead.

"The angels burning on the other side of the sky..."

I drew my head up to see him, still contemplating the sky.

"Lucan has informed me of your awen. When I first saw you, I knew you would bring good fortune in many ways. Now, God is on my side as well."

He grinned, bearish like at me, and I was forced to return the smile. The king was fast becoming religious and embroiled in this new religion that was fast stamping out our old ways, and believed that the country had to be united in one common belief, otherwise, peace would never come.

"You do not believe God was with you."

My liege was receptive. I hesitated, afraid I would offend him, though he knew of my standings on religion, and this "GOD" he spoke so fondly of.

"The dark lady was correct, young one."

I said nothing, chills creeping into me further. The game, or battle perhaps that Nimue hinted at sounded monstrous, and terrifying to me.

"There will be a great battle, between Satan, and that of God. It may end our world, and rend us, piece by piece..."

He trailed off, not sounding scared, but reverent instead.

"I believe God had marked you as one of his own, and Hell wishes to win you to their side."

I frowned, not believing any of what he spoke of. He smiled, guessing my thoughts.

"There will be more awen to come, young one, and the messages, and warnings, will increase in gravity. The lines are being drawn in the sand..."

He waved his hands about, motioning to the giant sky.

"The sand is the universe, and the lines...well, they are of cosmic fire, and will reform our existence."

I bit my lip, looking to the ground again.

"My lord...What of...the voice? Nimue said-"

He smiled that mysterious smile again and rose, me rising as well out of habit. He placed a warm paw on my shoulder and chuckled quietly.

"When this woman enters your life, to save you, and to help you, you will know it, young one."

He departed, and I was left mulling, staring at the ocean, wishing to return home to Caer Legionis, to be able to wander the forests, and to be able to depart for days at a time to explore the ocean, instead of being here. Yet, my soul tugged within me, not like it had for Nimue, but with a new restlessness, like when the tide sweeps in, tugging and straining the mooring ropes of a docked ship, making the ship wish it were to be carried away by the uncaring, unseeing ocean and tide. Time passed well enough, the King had arrived with masons and woodworkers, who set about reconstructing and helping to rejuvenate the castle and the docks. He had hired various dockworkers, and ship-builders, and imported most from the North, the seaways now free from the constant bother of the Saxons. Spirits were high, and the warhost, which camped in the surrounding hills, became anxious for another fight and siege, now fortified with good food, sleep, and more of the powder and liquid that had rent the castle walls like paper. I was summoned from my wanderings on the beach near the Caer to the newly deigned war-room, where our council was to take place. I did not listen to the shallow talk, or jokes, but barely managed to pull my focus onto the map spread out as matters turned heavy.

"We have crippled the Saxons shipping, and there several more strongholds, all south of the wall, which must be taken care of. Once these vestiges of power are destroyed, routing of Saxons will become quite readily accomplished."

There were nods of agreement, while I stared at the map, suddenly un-excited or feeling as to what would happen in this campaign. The awen bothered me more than I could care to say, and to voice my concerns would invite laughter and chagrin from my friends. I found myself angry at that prospect, and wished to be gone from here as soon as possible. My wish was granted.

"Ash(as I was called on occasion), after we have destroyed the Saxons hold on us, I have a mission of some importance."

The king clapped his hands together, his eyes shining. I had never seen him happy unless talking of the Saxon conquests, or uniting Briton. You will see momentarily why I wish I had not earned his trust.

"Danmark, a country we have long sought friendship with, has pledged to us men, food, and forces to help with our goal. I have long been in contact with the recently anointed king, he is young, but shows promise, and interest in our ventures. He has a sister..."

I finished the thought in my head before he spoke, already knowing what part I was to play.

"You, will go to Danmark, present yourself, our progress, and fetch his sister back, to be wed."

He did not say it was to him, for he had no need to. It was obvious this marriage would spell doom to the enemies of a united Briton, and we would have even more men and supplies to command. All that stood in our way was success against the remaining Saxons, and the door to possibility, to peace, and to unity stood ajar, enough to have us stick our feet before it closed. I was not thrilled to be his errand boy, but I had little choice in the matter, once the Saxon campaign was finished, I was on the nearest boat to Danmark. I was excited for travel, but going to a sleepy little country was not what I had in mind. I was rather thinking of Middle Europa, or something westerly from there. I shrugged and took myself from the conversation, feeling restless and angry once more. I stayed out of sight for most of the time we spent in Stucia, not wishing to be found or spoken to until need for it demanded my attention. Bliant finally found me, alone on the rocky and bare shore near the docks of Stucia. I had been feeling wraith-like, though not with an ill feeling in the pit of my stomach, but rather the weariness that set deep into my bones.

"How goes it, brother?"

I grunted in reply and continued my contemplation of the waves. He plopped down beside me, taking out his beer horn and drinking deeply to it, not bothering to hand it to me, knowing my distaste for most alcohol.

"The King and I are concerned over your behaviour. What goes on in that head?"

I shrugged, though Bliant meant well, I never enjoyed speaking to him of private matters. He was not stupid, but did not care much for personal feelings, or what insecurities one could have. He lived to chop, slash, and hack apart any enemy of Briton. I respected his loyalty, and his strength, but I wished to have an ear that was not deaf of my problems. I tried my best to construct a lie that would fool him, but not so simple as to insult his intelligence.

"Nothing, brother. I am just...perturbed by the Kings decision to marry, and ally ourselves with Danmark. He did not consult us, and I am quite peevish to the idea, especially if any of the opposing lords counter our offer to Danmark."

He shrugged, drinking deeply, belching loudly, and though I was in a sullen mood, I laughed aloud. I sometimes believed Bliant to be a twelve year old in the body of a giant man, which provided no end of entertainment.

"You worry of something else, little brother."

I could not hide a small smile, and laughed again, knowing why I liked Bliant as much as I did, he knew as well as he knew to wield that ungainly broadsword he loved so much.

"We will roll over the Saxons, and holy of holies, you will have a rest, and be able to see something else outside of this island! I know I would take that opportunity like a young maiden quite taken with me."

I laughed again, though people viewed Bliant's opinions of women as vulgar, he just said outrageous comments to goad on interest. He was a fine gentleman, and I knew he was going to make an excellent husband in the near future. He finished off his horn, and cinched it back to his waist, his hands looking massive compared to that of my slight build. He stood up, and hauled me along as well by the scruff of my tunic I wore.

"We leave at first light tomorrow, the next settlement is Uxacona, then the castle Melandra, and the final stronghold resides in Santon."

I sighed. That was a tall order to fill on the Kings part. There were many days of travel, hardship, and death to be had in the coming months. I let Bliant and his chatter lead me back to the castle, and fell into as careless a sleep as I could, awaking soon before dawn, and suiting for the long road ahead of us. I had no inkling of what really lay ahead for me. I believed it would be simple enough, crush the Saxons, and fetch some blushing girl bride for the king. What awaited me was not a blushing girl bride. What awaited me was damnation. And an angel.