Episode 21: Heart of Gold
Peter Hall was enjoying the early afternoon sun as he sat outside the museum on a nearby bench. He was currently taking his lunch break, it had been a week since he and Katie had gotten kidnapped by Erebeth and used as pawns against their friends. Peter was still getting used to the fact that he officially became a Paladin, although he was ecstatic to help in the fight against Lord Gremdon.
Currently, there was a band of high school students who had taken a trip to the museum and Peter was left in charge of showing them around the facility. As he was eating his lunch a young girl approached him, she had fair skin, blonde hair and hazel eyes; Peter had recognized her as one of the students from the high school group.
"Excuse me Mr. Hall, mind if sit next to you?" She asked, "It's a beautiful day out and I just thought it would be nice to sit outside."
He motioned to the empty seat next to him, "No of course not. Have a seat."
The young girl smiled and sat next to Peter as she pulled out her own sack of lunch. She began to eat her lunch and no sooner did she try to make conversation with Peter, "The tour has been quite interesting Mr. Hall."
"Oh well thank you. I try to do my best." He replied, chuckling.
She smiled, "I don't know how you are able to remember all this history. I have enough trouble trying to remember the history they teach us in school."
He shrugged, "It's something that has always interested me." He explained, "I love everything there is about medieval history."
"Well I definitely learned a thing or two today."
"I appreciate the compliments. Is your class going to be at the museum all day?"
The young girl shook her head, "No, after our lunch break we are headed off to the Hackney Marshes. We are going to go watch some of the football games."
"I see, well looks like you guys are having an enjoyable day."
"Yeah since it's close to the end of the school year." She replied smiling, "Well I better go before my class leaves me behind."
"Wouldn't want that and end up being stuck at this boring museum all day." He replied laughing.
The young girl returned his laugh with one of her own and extended out her hand, "My name is Annie by the way."
Peter returned the handshake, "Nice to meet you Annie, now you better get along and enjoy the rest of your field trip."
"I will, it was nice talking to you Mr. Hall. Bye!" Annie said as she walked off and waved him goodbye.
Peter chuckled, "She reminds me of when I was in school. I always used to enjoy the field trips." He told himself. The gold paladin continued on with his lunch and enjoyed the rest of his break.
The witch Erebeth, along with Abanor stood outside of their hidden cave hideout. Abanor idly stood by as Erebeth drew a design on the dirt with her staff and began to chant an incantation. From the particles of dirt as the dark witch continued with her chanting, rose a hideous creature. The creature was a little taller than the average man, it had features of a human, but was atrocious looking in every way. It had fairly lengthy arms and was somewhat hairy all around.
"What is this creature that you have summoned Erebeth?" Abanor asked, eyeing the monster.
"This is a Boggart, quite a malevolent creature. Some like to dwell in homes and cause a ruckus, others live in various topographical areas." Erebeth explained.
"This creature will be able to stop the Paladins?"
Erebeth shook her head, "No and I don't expect it too."
"Well, why did you summon it then?" He asked confused.
"We need to keep the Paladins distracted, while I continue the search for the portal." The witch explained, "If we can keep them occupied, then our plans will go a lot smoother."
The Boggart gave an eerie cry, as if it was trying to communicate with Erebeth, "Yes, go now and find a way to keep the paladins busy."
The hideous creature nodded and scurried off as its cry echoed throughout the air. Abanor and Erebeth watched as it disappeared from view, after the monster vanished the witch motioned to her partner to follow her, "Come, we must begin our search."
The ox beast gave a snort, "You still haven't told me exactly what we are looking for."
"I did. I said that we are going to retrieve an old friend, but first we have to find the hidden location."
"Who is this old friend you speak of?" Abanor asked confused.
Erebeth sighed, "All will be explained in due time."
Abanor scratched his horn still confused at his partner's cryptic answers. He continued to follow Erebeth without another word as they began to make their way out of the forest and into the direction of the city. Whatever Erebeth had planned, Abanor was sure that it would play in their favor, but for now he would just continue to lend a hand.
Meanwhile, at the Hackney Marshes, Annie and her class had just arrived and were told that they could wonder around and enjoy the football games going on. Annie and one of her friends decided to just walk around and enjoy the afternoon sun.
Although, their time was cut short as a horde of people started running and screaming from the opposite direction. Annie and her friend were confused at what was going on, "What the heck are people running from?" Annie asked.
Her friend pointed out the direction in front of them; with fear appearing in her eyes, "I`m pretty sure they`re running from that thing."
Annie looked up to see and covered her mouth in horror, "My god….what is that?"
To her and her friends horror they saw the Boggart running across the Marshes as it chased and knocked people away. Its eerie cry filled the air as it stood tall over the citizens and continued on with its rampage, heading in the direction of Annie and her friends.
"Guys we should probably run!" Annie yelled, grabbing her friend's hands.
The two friends began to run as the Boggart chased any civilians in its line of sight. The creature noticed the three girls and began to give chase as they all ran for their lives. One of the girls then tripped as they were bumping into other people.
Annie stopped in her tracks to try and help her friend up as the boggart loomed closer, "Come on! It's gaining on us."
Annie managed to help her friend back up as they both continued to run. They didn't manage to get that far however, as a group of Sprawling`s showed up from out of nowhere and managed to intercept them along with some other civilians. The boggart also managed to catch up and approach the civilians, everyone quickly huddled together, terrified of the hideous creature.
"Annie we`re trapped. What now?" Her friend asked.
Annie gritted her teeth, "I don't know, let's just hope help comes quick." She said, taking her friends hand in comfort.
As Peter finished up his lunch and prepared to head back to work, his bracelet glowed as Trevor`s voice came through, "Hey Peter, you there?"
"I`m here, what's going on?" He replied.
"We`ve got a situation on our hands."
"Is it a monster attack?" Peter guessed.
"You got it, at some place called Hackney Marshes."
Peter`s eyes went wide for a moment as he realized the said place where Annie and her class were visiting as part of their field trip, "Hackney Marshes you said? There`s a bunch of football games going on there right now."
"Well you need to go on ahead quickly. I`ll gather everyone else and meet you there." Trevor responded, cutting off his connection.
Peter wore a worried expression on his face as he thought back to Annie and the rest of her high school class were heading out to those fields. The gold paladin took a breath and marched off to a secluded area.
"I can't let Annie and her class get hurt. These monsters have done enough damage to the city, and it's up to me to stop them." Peter told himself as he raised his bracelet and teleported off to the Marshes.
A few moments later Peter appeared at Hackney marshes, fully donning his armor and noticed groups of people running away and many who were hurt as well. The gold paladin hurried over to help anybody he could, but there was just too many people; he would just have to wait for the other to arrive so that they would be able to help everybody. For now he had to focus on finding the monster that caused all this.
He didn't have to look far though as he heard a cry coming from the distance. Peter noticed the group of civilians that were being trapped by the Sprawling`s and being led by the Boggart; he quickly made his way over before they were able hurt the trapped citizens.
"Oh no you guys don't!" Peter announced as he jumped through the air and tackled a Sprawling.
The gold paladin quickly got back up on his feet and summoned his Halberd. He instantly put himself in a defensive stance as the Sprawling`s began to charge at him. Peter slashed the first Sprawling that came at him, he then kicked back the next Sprawling, two Sprawling`s came from behind and grabbed him by the arms; Peter instantly did a backflip to release himself from them and sent powered slash from his Halberd at them sending them flying.
The group of civilians watched the gold paladin continue to fight off the Sprawling`s. Annie and her friend looked on in awe at the gold paladin, "Looks like you were right about someone coming to save us Annie."
"Yeah, I just didn't think it would be one of those knights from the news." Annie replied, not taking her eyes off from the battle.
Peter continued to fight back against the endless number of Sprawling`s, keeping them at a distance with his Halberd. Then he noticed the Sprawling`s stepping aside as the boggart came charging at him, Peter rolled out of the way just as the boggart closed in on him and used its beastly hands to attack him.
"You are one ugly wanker." Peter said as he stood his ground against the creature.
The boggart gave its eerie cry and charged at Peter once more. Peter prepared for the attack and jabbed at the creature with his Halberd, but the boggart slapped his weapon away, grabbed Peter by the neck and viciously threw him.
The gold paladin slowly stood back up, "That was unpleasant."
Before who could regain his composure, the hideous creature came at him again. Although, the boggart didn't make contact as it was struck by an attack that came out of nowhere. Katie had appeared in front of Peter as she attacked the boggart with her Warhammer.
"Looks like you're in a little bind Peter." Katie said as she turned around and faced her comrade.
He chuckled, "I`d like to think that I had things under control, but I suppose I could use a little help.'
"Well it sure looks like it, sorry to leave you hanging for so long Peter." Trevor added as he and the rest of the team showed up.
"No worries, I was just busy getting my ass kicked by that thing over there."
The paladins looked to where Peter was pointing and recoiled in disgust at the sight of the boggart, "What the hell is that thing?" Trevor asked.
"That is by far the most disgusting looking monster we have faced." Sasha added.
"Bloody hell that is one ugly monkey." Theo said.
Jocelyn shook her head, "If my studies serve me correctly, I`m pretty sure that is a boggart."
"All right guys, we have to take out the Sprawling`s and get the civilians out of here. Peter you go ahead and give that boggart a taste of its own medicine." Trevor said.
The gold paladin leveled his Halberd, "It would be my genuine pleasure."
The boggart cried out, ordering the Sprawling`s to attack. The paladins summoned their weapons and charged as they fought off their enemies; Peter ignored the foot soldiers and went straight for the boggart. As he reared closer, Peter did a front flip over the creature and put himself in between it and the civilians.
"All of you hurry and get out of here!" He announced.
Immediately after he said that, the group of people scattered with the exception of Annie and her friend, whom was trying to get Annie to come with her, "Annie let's get out of here before we get hurt!"
"Hold on a sec! Something about that gold knight seems familiar." Annie said as she watched the gold paladin fight off the monster.
Peter continued to struggle against the boggart as he tried to slash him with his Halberd, but only managed to lay a scratch. The creature roared as swung its long arm at Peter who put up his arms defensively, but only managed to protect himself a bit as he flew back and slammed onto the ground.
The boggart stomped towards Peter to attack him once more, but it was stopped in its tracks as a chunk of rock was thrown at its head. It growled furiously and looked at the direction from where the rock was thrown, the boggart noticed Annie give a slight smirk, "Don't think I`ll let you hurt him!
Peter groggily got back up, "What are you doing!? I said to get out of here!"
Before Annie was able to reply, the boggart rushed her and knocked her on the ground. The young girl screamed and put her hands up in defense, "No! Annie!" Peter yelled as he charged towards her.
Without hesitating Peter charged his Halberd with magical energy and thrusted his weapon into the back of the beast. The boggart gave a gurgling cry of pain as it exploded into a pile of ash and dust. Once the monster was gone, Peter helped Annie back on her feet, "Annie are you alright?"
The girl patted dust off herself and looked at the gold paladin with a raised eyebrow, "How is it that you know my name?"
"You could say that we met before, seeing as I am the tour guide of the finest museum in London."
"Oh my god! Mr. Hall!" The girl yelled with surprise.
Peter laughed while placing a finger over his helmet, "Shh, I didn't say a word."
Annie smiled, "Don't worry Mr. Hall your secret is safe with me. If I must say being a knight is quite fitting for you."
"You are too kind Annie, now go along and return to your class. I`m sure they are worried about you." He said.
Without another word, Annie waved goodbye to Peter as she ran off to go join her class. After she disappeared the other Paladins came up to Peter and congratulated him on defeating the boggart.
"Maybe you didn't need us after all Peter." Trevor said, giving a pat on the back.
"All in a day's work of being a paladin." He replied.
"Guess this whole being a hero thing isn't too bad after all huh Peter." Katie added.
The gold paladin placed a friendly arm around her, "I think being a paladin is quite fitting for me. If I do say so myself." Everybody broke out in laughter as they celebrated another win and prepared to head home after a tiresome battle.
After the Boggart was destroyed by Peter, Erebeth and Abanor roamed the streets of London taking on the disguises of humans. As they walked around Erebeth silently chanted an incantation, hoping to find what she was seeking. She finally came to a stop and gave a slight sigh, "Well it's nowhere to be found in this area of the city."
"We`ve been searching around the whole city for most of the day." Abanor grunted, "It's going to take an eternity if we keep searching around like this."
The witch rapidly turned around and stared Abanor down, "Listen you filthy ox! I will take however long I must in order to find what I seek!" She yelled, "I will surely earn Lord Gremdon`s trust back with this."
Abanor snorted, "I don't even know what or who you`re looking for! I`ve been following you mindlessly all day!"
"Well if you must know Abanor, I`m looking for a very specific place. A place that is no longer found in this mortal world." She explained.
"Oh? What is this place that you so desperately seek?"
Her face drew a wicked smile, "The place that I am seeking for my dear Abanor is known as Camelot."
A/N: I like to call this the start of the Camelot arc! See you guys on the next one!