Chapter 36

Alvarr moved through the forest with the stealthy precision. By now he had lived there for six months, and knew every little part of it. He and his tight band of followers had moved into a little sheltered area by a flowing stream, overcome with hanging trees on each side.

Alvarr was a man on a mission. He did not just want to kill Uther Pendragon he wanted his and Camelot's annihilation. He had but fleeting memories of his parents, who had become victims of Camelot's cruel crusade against magic. It left just him and his younger sister Briana. They had been passed between surviving relatives, living in different little villages.

Alvarr had always been someone who had stood out. It started in his childhood; from an early age he learned to defend Briana and himself. He had the gift of the gab and plenty of charisma as well. He was a person who was never afraid to make an impression with anyone, whatever their importance.

He had a blind loyalty to his younger sister, always taking time to keep her safe, from any danger. This quality coincided with his more dangerous personality which had a ruthless streak running through it. When his parents had died Alvarr refused to show his feelings, to anyone other than those closest to him. To the outside world he would show his tough self, vowing to never take a step back.

Anyone who crossed him was dealt with harshly; he would not tolerate fools lightly. He had a band of outlaws, which was increasing in numbers each day. His ultimate ambition was to overthrow the Pendragons and bring magic back to the Kingdom. To Alvarr magic, was the means to an end. He did not think about it in terms of beauty, but as a way to force change and free people, such as himself from their burden.

For years they had been made to feel they were in the wrong, just for having magic. Well now he would show his enemies who had the power he vowed. He just needed the tool to make the difference, and suddenly it seemed he had acquired it. From the moment that Jasper had arrived that evening, telling him about the young Druid boy's incredible powers he sensed his sister had found, at long last the catalyst that could make the difference. He had started to believe that his ambition would be realized.

He told himself for the hundredth time, that this was what was meant to be. This was the signal he had been waiting for, with Mordred and his power they could steal the crystal that, would help them bring about a new world. Alvarr had dreamed about this for such a long time; from the moment his Uncle had told him about how magic had, once roamed freely his only dream was to bring it back. Alvarr had hardened himself to what he may have to do, to achieve his ambition. It would mean sacrifices for certain, even to his own loyal followers, but for all just causes that was the case.

Alvarr even knew there was a chance that he himself, would not live to see that day. But he was ready for whatever life would throw his way his ambition had never been easy from the start, but he could sense the ending calling to him. He just had to persuade the Druid boy over to his side. Alvarr knew once this had been achieved the fight for his new world would truly begin.

Mordred was sitting at the table reading a book. Briana and Jaspers place had a lot of books, and Mordred enjoyed nothing more than exploring the different ones available. It was at times like this he was grateful he had taken his lessons with the Druid elders seriously. He realised reading acquired you knowledge, and he spent every waking moment, reading and learning from the different books that he found.

There were a wide variety of books, and Mordred looked at as many as he could. There was an old cookery one, that sometimes he wrote recipes down from, and he and Briana would try them out at the weekends. Another book he loved explained the natural environment of the immediate area. Mordred would take it outside with him, whenever he explored. He loved managing to find out the places that were mentioned within the pages.

Another one he had much affection for was a story book that had tales from people that had visited lands far away. Briana would often read to him in the evenings before he went up to bed. His dreams would then be full of images from the book, mysterious places, with mystic creatures and challenges that he had to overcome using his courage and intuition.

But there was another book and this was his favourite, a magical book. Mordred had found it one day hidden in a box in the store room. His eyes popped out of his head as he saw pictures of dragons and unicorns, and magical spells in the language that he recognised from his younger day, the old religion. A feeling of familiarity swept over him as he immersed himself in the text. It felt as if he was back again in the Druid's camp, learning under the watchful eye of his father.

As he sat and once more looked through the book his fingers gently caressed the figures, as though they were real. There was one story that always drew his imagination in. It was the story of a sorcerer by the name of Arthfael. His story was one which really appealed to Mordred, as it proved something that the boy had always believed. He closed his eyes as he remembered situations from his own life when his magic, had done shocking things. Yet at the same time he had also saved people's lives with it too.

The more he read the story about the sorcerer, who had become a King's true partner and protector, the more he realized that he too could use his magic for good. For so long he had been hiding his own powers that he had allowed it to frighten him. He remembered that his own father had said; that he should not fear what he possessed. But that he should learn to use it when it was right and not abuse it. He was determined to live by those rules, and to try and embrace what he was, and not be ashamed and afraid to reveal the truth to those close to him. Briana knew the boy had magic, but he had not told her much about how much magic had. Ever since Mordred had lost his father, he had worn his secret like an extra skin, terrified to let anyone else know.

But in doing that he had also put a barrier between himself and those he had come into contact with. It had made him vulnerable to the world around him, so much so that he sometimes had wondered, if he would ever be able to confess it to anyone. He briefly thought about Kara, and as usual when he did think about his former friend, his loneliness increased. It hurt him to have no one to confide in, someone he felt he could trust.

But he felt he was ready now to have a heart to heart with Briana, for he knew she would never betray him. For all the months he had been living with her and Jasper, deep down he had still felt lonely. This would be the chance to start again, with no secrets between them. He closed the book with a thud, his mind made up he put it carefully back in the box and closed the lid.

As he got up a feeling suddenly came into his mind, an intense feeling. It called him over to the window. He looked out he could see Briana picking up some glasses, but she was not alone. Mordred stared at the man who was in deep conversation with Briana. He was quite tall with blonde hair, and a beard. It was obvious that they knew each other, the man had his hand on Briana's shoulder.

Mordred watched as he followed her inside, a strange thought came into his mind. It was as if he was waiting for the call. Despite not knowing who the man was, he knew instinctively that he had come for Mordred. The more he thought about it the more certain he became. So much so, that when Briana had called him downstairs he didn't hesitate for a moment.

Mordred bounded down stairs to find the man had sat down at a table by the window. Briana nervously wiped her dress as Mordred came over to her.

"There you are Mordred. I would like you to meet my brother Alvarr." She said, leading him over to where he was sitting.

Mordred followed Briana, curious to meet this man who had such an effect on him. He moved over to the table, where the stranger sat, as they regarded each other, Mordred had a feeling that Alvarr was here for a pacific reason, a sense of excitement as well as tension hit Mordred.

"Mordred, I am pleased to meet you." Alvarr smiled, shaking his hand. "Please join me."

Mordred again didn't hesitate to do just that. He suddenly felt shy as he noticed Alvarr staring at him intently. As if sensing his unease Alvarr had smiled reassuringly.

"I am sorry Mordred. I will introduce myself properly to you. I am Briana's older brother. I have looked after my sister since we lost our parents, a lot of years ago. I think it is true to say we are very close, and there is nothing I would not do for Briana if she asked." Alvarr, continued, smiling at Briana who was tensely watching.

"It is true she has mentioned you." Mordred said carefully, his eyes never leaving Alvarr's face. "I know she will do anything for you as well."

Mordred watched as Alvarr took his sister's hand. He watched them for a second. He was beginning to warm to Alvarr. But he couldn't help but notice a tension in Briana's face and he wondered why she would be that way with her brother. It was a feeling he couldn't shake off, and he decided to ask her later.

"Why don't the two of us take a walk Mordred outside. I am sure you have a favourite walk, I know I did when I stayed here." Alvarr invited, a look of reassurance on his face.

"There is nothing you want me to do?" Mordred asked, watching Briana carefully.

"No, no you go ahead don't go too far though." Briana urged.

It seemed to Mordred as though she had said that to Alvarr as much as to him. He found it curious and a slight tension formed in the back of his mind. But he had to admit to himself he was longing to know more about Alvarr. He couldn't escape a feeling that he had just met a man who would become an important figure in his life. The idea made little sense in truth, but he could not escape from it.

As they walked out into the sunshine he decided he would take him to his favourite place in the forest. It was somewhere away from the intrusiveness of the tavern, very few people dared to go there. He felt they could have a really good conversation, and Mordred would see just how he felt later on. Yet already he had a feeling that Alvarr was an important person.

While sister and brother were close it was true that Briana had not told Mordred much about Alvarr, just bits and pieces. He was happy that he would get the chance to fill in the gaps in his mind, and he could then maybe get to know Alvarr himself.

As they walked Alvarr pointed out some information about the trees, facts that Mordred did not know, despite his past. He realized that the man had a real sense of knowledge about the area. But it was more than that this was a man who lived outside, and knew the forest like the back of his hand. Mordred could sense that as he talked expertly about the way the environment connected with the world around them.

Mordred had never thought than a non-Druid would sense the world the way Alvarr did. He realized that was a misjudgement on his part. Growing up as a Druid had sheltered him from other people. It was easy to believe that "only Druids" could know nature the way they did. But Alvarr was proving that opinion wrong, and suddenly Mordred was restless to learn more about him.

Mordred led Alvarr down a half hidden path, this was his own secret haven. A place he would retire to when he needed to be alone. He could hear the brook up ahead burbling away, reminding him that he was thirsty. He ran ahead and drank some water. As he did so he could feel Alvarr's eyes on him, but here in his familiar place he felt secure. He relaxed knowing that nothing could make him nervous.

He turned around to find Alvarr seated on a fallen tree trunk admiring the view around them.

"You have picked well Mordred." Alvarr smiled, "This is exactly the sort of place that I take comfort in too."

"I don't show many people this place, it is my special place." Mordred smiled.

"Then I am indeed honoured that you showed me. I get the feeling that you too have lived in the forest before." Alvarr said, picking up a leaf.

"When I was with the Druids yes." Mordred admitted, but he grew impatient as he wanted to know more about Alvarr first.

As if sensing the boy's slight unease, Alvarr took control of the situation.

"I get the feeling you would like to ask me more about myself Mordred." Alvarr said, looking directly at Mordred. "This is your chance, ask me whatever you would like."

Mordred looked at him for a second, inside him he could feel nervous tension, but he knew he would never get a better chance again.

"Tell me what you do." Mordred said, leaning forward. "I would like to know everything."

Alvarr smiled, "Everything you say? Then I shall start at the very beginning."

To be continued.

To be continued.