Title: Forever More
Author: Red Pollard
Authors Note: Recently I burned my fingers when turning off my lamp so
it's taken a bit longer to write this. Actually, I just can't think of
anything so there really is nothing to write. But really. I burned my
fingers.
Disclaimer: These disclaimers always make me so depressed. No I don't
own King Arthur. What more do you want from me! Crush my dreams?! They
already are!!!!!! Kera's mine though.
Chapter 4: ‡Arrival in a Different Time ‡
Kera Rosenman was nowhere.
Literally.
The bright rainbow light soon consumed her and all the she could see
now was intense white space. Kera felt as if someone was pulling her
through this mystical dimension by her stomach, yet she was still
forced to run. As she lurched through the white, she tried hard to
keep up with whatever urged her on forward without loosing her speed
on foot. Her footsteps rang loud and hollow upon the floor that wasn't
really there. An infinite and featureless blank stretched around her
on all sides for as far as the eye could or could not see. There was
nothing above her head and nothing below her feet. Despite the total
lack of spatial reference, she felt as if her running was actually
bringing her somewhere. Though there were no landmarks to tell her
that she had made progress, she sensed that she was moving while she
ran, and that she'd been running for... what, hours now? Days? Who could
tell? Not her of course. Her Timex had stopped working ever since she
stepped into the janitor's closet.
For a short moment, her feet left the ground and she was dangling in
the air, while still speeding forward. Making a face, she grasped the
invisible rope that held her around her stomach and tugged furiously.
"Leggoh—off—me!" she hissed.
Then suddenly, that force disappeared. Falling about a foot and
stumbling over her own feet, she tried to regain composure, not used
to being able to walk at her own pace now. Stomach still aching a bit,
Kera attempted to stay calm but the fact was she didn't quite know
where she was and that was enough to send a thin line of perspiration
to her brows. An unexpected patter of feet sent her wheeling
backwards. Turning around she saw the big, black wolf appear out of
nothing. Bending its back it shook its neck roughly a couple times.
Those large and inquisitive eyes blinked back nonchalantly at her.
"Wha—its you—"Kera stuttered.
The wolf stretched out its front legs and arched its back so that it
went into an almost catlike stance. Opening its wide jaws the wolf
yawned before quickly spinning around and bounding off in the opposite
direction. /i it called out with its long, shaggy tail
streaming behind him... it. Rolling her eyes with exasperation, she
lurched forward, still uncertain where to put her feet in all the
whiteness, and hounded after the wolf for the second time that day.
The wolf had incredible stamina that she just couldn't keep up with.
Whether it was magic or just pure inhuman strength, it always managed
to keep Kera struggling to keep up. Her mouth hung open as she took
uneven swallows of air. Powering her legs and arms, she ran on,
determined to figure out where the wolf was leading her this time.
This whole chase reminded her of a scene from iAlice in
Wonderland/i where Alice chased after the White Rabbit.
Funny how something to light hearted can be applied to life.
Wondering when this cat and mouse chase would end, Kera swallowed the
sticky knot of fear in her throat. When it seemed as if her legs would
fall off and that she would never catch up with the wolf, the wolf
stopped. Throwing a glance over its shoulder, it motioned towards him.
Then without further adieu, the wolf disappeared into the white.
Startled, Kera jogged slowly to the area that the wolf once was
moments ago. It looked as if the canine had slipped behind some
invisible wall that had blended right into the surroundings.
Approaching the spot where the wolf had vanished, she was hit by a
wave of cold air. The atmosphere in front of her seemed to bend and
blur like air over an open gas grill would have. Yet the air was
bitter and wintry compared to what it should have been. Shivering,
Kera raised a hand in front of her at arms length, watching in
wonderment as her arm bent into obscure shapes as if she was in a
house of mirrors. Stretching her arm out a bit more, she abruptly
yanked it back when the edges of her fingers disappeared momentarily.
Taking an unsteady step backwards, she rotated her wrists so that she
could scrutinize the front and back of her hand. There was not a
scratch or mark to show for what had just happened. Another faint bark
brought her back to her senses. It had come from somewhere ahead of
her.
"I'm coming!" she yelled to what she hoped and thought was the wolf.
Taking a deep breath she stepped forward into the indistinct and
obscure air. Immediately she felt as if she were walking through
water. Her arms and legs refused to move at normal pace and her whole
body felt sluggish. The air around her tugged at her face and clothes,
pulling her skin taught over her bones to giving her a skeletal
appearance. Squinting, she could see the blurry black form of the wolf
not far in front of her. Kera growled out in frustration as she tried
to move faster. Even the sound was strung out and unusual. Clenching
her eyes together, she ripped her arms forward and lifted her legs in
vain to try and run against the drive that was pushing her backwards.
If it took everything she had, she was going to find that wolf, her
uncle, and avenge her grandmother.
Feeling a cool breeze against her cheeks, Kera opened her pale blue
eyes (which were unusual for her Scotch-Irish roots). She was no
longer in a different dimension. Where there was once just pure white
was now replaced with a firm dirt road beneath her feet and bountiful
amounts of tall trees around her. Making a 360 degree turn, she looked
around for the black wolf. Further on, she could see where the path
opened up from the thickly forested area to countryside dotted with
small farms and huts. Clutching her jacket close to her chest, she
continued down the path, not sure of where she was going.
Faintly, the barely audible noise of hoof beats reached
her ear. Steadily it grew louder, bringing her attention to the
surroundings behind her. Turning on her heels, nothing could have
prepared her for what happened next.
Sun glinted off metal in a glitzy light show as the dark
bay horse ridden by the armored knight trotted to a spot just past
several low trees and stopped. The knight grumbled in a very un-knight-
like way from within his helmet which he had decided to put back on
just in case anyone decided to send another batch of arrows whizzing
towards his head. Raising heavily armored hands, he swatted at the
branches and leaves that had latched on for a ride when his horse had
decided to take a short cut through the fields and right under a few
trees that were low enough for it to pass beneath but not its rider.
The knight grumbled again even louder when several evil leaves decided
to attach themselves onto his gauntlet which he hurriedly smote with
his other gauntlet. Then giving up, he took off both gauntlets and
threw them to the ground.
Reaching up, he lifted his stuffy helmet from his head to
reveal a sweaty but curly crop of dark hair, and earnest brown eyes on
a face that was still vibrant. Setting the helmet into the saddlebag
once more, he leaned forward and rubbed his horse's damp neck.
"We'll be back in no time. And then," he said with a
content tone, "you can take a long rest back at the stable. I bet that
chestnut mare will be happily awaiting your arrival."
The bay nickered softly, bobbing its head up and down in
agreement.
A piercing bellow snapped the knight out of his musing
trance. Snapping his head around, he reined the horse around. Another
cry, much more fearful that the first sounded not long after, and it
appeared to have come back from the forest, which he had been so eager
to leave behind. Furrowing his brows he kicked his horse into action.
The steed leaped forward, heels churning up dust as they galloped back
across the field towards the trees, cloak billowing behind him.
Charging down the path straight for her was a white
stallion, or so Kera thought. She couldn't be sure due to the dirt and
mud which had been so artfully and thoroughly rubbed into its coat.
Upon its back, riding bareback was a man whose face was twisted into a
scowl. His hair was chopped into a shaggy and unkempt mane that was
oddly tinted green. His body was not much different yet with the
occasional smear of soil upon his cheeks or his unclothed chest. Dark
green tattoos ran up and down his arms and curved around his neck up
onto his face. The man... creature's mouth was opened and he let out a
noisy and not to mention unruly holler.
While his left hand gripped the horse's dirty mane, his
right hand bore a short sword that didn't have the normal 'T' hilt.
Instead, it had a hilt that didn't had the two branches of a 'T'. The
metal was rusty and jagged. Scrambling backwards, Kera began running
as fast as she could towards the countryside. Her eyes were wide with
fear as she dashed towards daylight. Yet it was quite clear to both
her and the feral horseman that she would never outrun the horse.
Throwing a hasty glance behind her she saw that the horse that was
bearing down on her heels was smaller than it had appeared. It was
only a sturdy mountain pony but nonetheless fast.
The man slashed out with his sword towards her. Feeling a
sudden agonizing sting, Kera stopped running with the pony still
cantering away and clasped her right hand over her left arm. Bringing
her hand away she saw that her palm was dripping with blood. Her mouth
opened as she yelled out in surprise and pain. The man wheeled his
horse around and aimed straight for her again. Raising her hands to
protect her face, Kera backed up against a tree. She heard a whistling
noise and then screaming as the sword sliced at her hands. Luckily
just the tip of the sword had cut into her palm instead of hacking her
fingers off.
Suddenly attacks where coming from every angle whether
they were from weapon or hand. Either there were more of these
creatures of this man was one excellent swordsman. Metal contacted the
soft flesh in her side leaving red trails of blood. Even her clothing
was no protection against the assaults. Something hissed near her
face, slashing at her cheek and forehead. Something hit her very hard
in the stomach, knocking the breath from her chest. It was only a blow
to the back of her head from the flat side of a sword that brought
Kera to her knees. Blood dripped into her eyes and as the pain began
to take over her, the attacks stopped.
Waiting for the world to stop swimming before her eyes,
she slowly got to her feet. Stumbling over rocks and roots she managed
to find her way out of the forest and finally into the sunlight, where
the brightness hurt her eyes immensely.
The knight urged his horse on towards the forest. Nearing
the dark woods edge, he quickly dismounted when he spotted a figure
emerge from the dirt path that lead through the wooded area. Swinging
off the bay, he jogged quickly towards the figure, leaving the horse
to munch comfortably on the luscious green grass. Coming closer, he
could see that the figure was a girl. Various places on her face had
been nicked by a sword undoubtedly, and blood was slipping slowly down
her cheek. Her clothes, strange as they were, had been cut up to
reveal more places that she had been brutally attacked.
Walking uncertainly towards him, she staggered and he
leapt forward to catch her but she waved him away with her bloodied
hands. Bumping her shoulder into his she roughly shoved away and
tripped over her feet sideways. Maintaining her composure, her hands
were raised by her side. Long black hair fell around her shoulders as
it loosened from its tie. Stumbling constantly from her knees to her
feet, the knight watched helplessly as the girl refused every attempt
he made to help her. Her eyes were unfocused as she frequently wiped
the blood from them. Each step she took down the path was even more
uncertain than the last until her knees finally buckled and she
collapsed in a heap.
Crouching down, the knight lifted the girl's head slightly
with his palm to get a better look at her face. Pushing back a few
strands of hair, he used his thumb to wipe away a smudge of dirt mixed
in with blood on her cheek.
"Miss? You really need help. You're badly hurt," he said
gently.
Kera's eyes fluttered closed then open. Her cracked lips
were open ever so slightly as she took in small breaths, her chest
rising with every lungful of air.
"Where am I?" she mumbled faintly. "What year is it?"
The man pursed his lips for a moment. The Woads which most
likely attacked her really must have caused her enough damage that she
would forget such a simple fact.
"We are in Britain. You are in the year of the rule of
the Holy Father and Rome," he answered bitterly.
Kera moaned and shivered. Her lips trembled as she tried
to wrap her sore arms around herself but only winced as the skin near
gashes on her arms stretched painfully when she moved her arm.
It was time for the knight to question the girl now.
Placing the girl's head back down on the ground with care, he pulled
his cloak covered her.
"Pray may I ask what your name is?"
Kera licked her lips before answering.
"Kera," she said. "And you?"
The knight inclined his head towards her.
"Lancelot. I be a knight in Arthur's court."
Kera nodded subconsciously. The name did ring a bell. But
her brain was swarmed with too many things at the same time. Her arms
hurt, her hands hurt, her stomach hurt, heck! her face hurt. Her eyes
sagged as she closed them, her body overcome with fatigue. From then
on, everything went black.
Author's note: IT's me again. I finished chapter 4! Aren't you proud
of me. I hope I got most of the few facts I used correct. And for all
you traditional King Arthur lovers (sword in the stone... Lancelot being
French... sorry to disappoint you but I'm basing my story off the one
written by Frank Thompson where Roman Briton is the main thing.)
Author: Red Pollard
Authors Note: Recently I burned my fingers when turning off my lamp so
it's taken a bit longer to write this. Actually, I just can't think of
anything so there really is nothing to write. But really. I burned my
fingers.
Disclaimer: These disclaimers always make me so depressed. No I don't
own King Arthur. What more do you want from me! Crush my dreams?! They
already are!!!!!! Kera's mine though.
Chapter 4: ‡Arrival in a Different Time ‡
Kera Rosenman was nowhere.
Literally.
The bright rainbow light soon consumed her and all the she could see
now was intense white space. Kera felt as if someone was pulling her
through this mystical dimension by her stomach, yet she was still
forced to run. As she lurched through the white, she tried hard to
keep up with whatever urged her on forward without loosing her speed
on foot. Her footsteps rang loud and hollow upon the floor that wasn't
really there. An infinite and featureless blank stretched around her
on all sides for as far as the eye could or could not see. There was
nothing above her head and nothing below her feet. Despite the total
lack of spatial reference, she felt as if her running was actually
bringing her somewhere. Though there were no landmarks to tell her
that she had made progress, she sensed that she was moving while she
ran, and that she'd been running for... what, hours now? Days? Who could
tell? Not her of course. Her Timex had stopped working ever since she
stepped into the janitor's closet.
For a short moment, her feet left the ground and she was dangling in
the air, while still speeding forward. Making a face, she grasped the
invisible rope that held her around her stomach and tugged furiously.
"Leggoh—off—me!" she hissed.
Then suddenly, that force disappeared. Falling about a foot and
stumbling over her own feet, she tried to regain composure, not used
to being able to walk at her own pace now. Stomach still aching a bit,
Kera attempted to stay calm but the fact was she didn't quite know
where she was and that was enough to send a thin line of perspiration
to her brows. An unexpected patter of feet sent her wheeling
backwards. Turning around she saw the big, black wolf appear out of
nothing. Bending its back it shook its neck roughly a couple times.
Those large and inquisitive eyes blinked back nonchalantly at her.
"Wha—its you—"Kera stuttered.
The wolf stretched out its front legs and arched its back so that it
went into an almost catlike stance. Opening its wide jaws the wolf
yawned before quickly spinning around and bounding off in the opposite
direction. /i it called out with its long, shaggy tail
streaming behind him... it. Rolling her eyes with exasperation, she
lurched forward, still uncertain where to put her feet in all the
whiteness, and hounded after the wolf for the second time that day.
The wolf had incredible stamina that she just couldn't keep up with.
Whether it was magic or just pure inhuman strength, it always managed
to keep Kera struggling to keep up. Her mouth hung open as she took
uneven swallows of air. Powering her legs and arms, she ran on,
determined to figure out where the wolf was leading her this time.
This whole chase reminded her of a scene from iAlice in
Wonderland/i where Alice chased after the White Rabbit.
Funny how something to light hearted can be applied to life.
Wondering when this cat and mouse chase would end, Kera swallowed the
sticky knot of fear in her throat. When it seemed as if her legs would
fall off and that she would never catch up with the wolf, the wolf
stopped. Throwing a glance over its shoulder, it motioned towards him.
Then without further adieu, the wolf disappeared into the white.
Startled, Kera jogged slowly to the area that the wolf once was
moments ago. It looked as if the canine had slipped behind some
invisible wall that had blended right into the surroundings.
Approaching the spot where the wolf had vanished, she was hit by a
wave of cold air. The atmosphere in front of her seemed to bend and
blur like air over an open gas grill would have. Yet the air was
bitter and wintry compared to what it should have been. Shivering,
Kera raised a hand in front of her at arms length, watching in
wonderment as her arm bent into obscure shapes as if she was in a
house of mirrors. Stretching her arm out a bit more, she abruptly
yanked it back when the edges of her fingers disappeared momentarily.
Taking an unsteady step backwards, she rotated her wrists so that she
could scrutinize the front and back of her hand. There was not a
scratch or mark to show for what had just happened. Another faint bark
brought her back to her senses. It had come from somewhere ahead of
her.
"I'm coming!" she yelled to what she hoped and thought was the wolf.
Taking a deep breath she stepped forward into the indistinct and
obscure air. Immediately she felt as if she were walking through
water. Her arms and legs refused to move at normal pace and her whole
body felt sluggish. The air around her tugged at her face and clothes,
pulling her skin taught over her bones to giving her a skeletal
appearance. Squinting, she could see the blurry black form of the wolf
not far in front of her. Kera growled out in frustration as she tried
to move faster. Even the sound was strung out and unusual. Clenching
her eyes together, she ripped her arms forward and lifted her legs in
vain to try and run against the drive that was pushing her backwards.
If it took everything she had, she was going to find that wolf, her
uncle, and avenge her grandmother.
Feeling a cool breeze against her cheeks, Kera opened her pale blue
eyes (which were unusual for her Scotch-Irish roots). She was no
longer in a different dimension. Where there was once just pure white
was now replaced with a firm dirt road beneath her feet and bountiful
amounts of tall trees around her. Making a 360 degree turn, she looked
around for the black wolf. Further on, she could see where the path
opened up from the thickly forested area to countryside dotted with
small farms and huts. Clutching her jacket close to her chest, she
continued down the path, not sure of where she was going.
Faintly, the barely audible noise of hoof beats reached
her ear. Steadily it grew louder, bringing her attention to the
surroundings behind her. Turning on her heels, nothing could have
prepared her for what happened next.
Sun glinted off metal in a glitzy light show as the dark
bay horse ridden by the armored knight trotted to a spot just past
several low trees and stopped. The knight grumbled in a very un-knight-
like way from within his helmet which he had decided to put back on
just in case anyone decided to send another batch of arrows whizzing
towards his head. Raising heavily armored hands, he swatted at the
branches and leaves that had latched on for a ride when his horse had
decided to take a short cut through the fields and right under a few
trees that were low enough for it to pass beneath but not its rider.
The knight grumbled again even louder when several evil leaves decided
to attach themselves onto his gauntlet which he hurriedly smote with
his other gauntlet. Then giving up, he took off both gauntlets and
threw them to the ground.
Reaching up, he lifted his stuffy helmet from his head to
reveal a sweaty but curly crop of dark hair, and earnest brown eyes on
a face that was still vibrant. Setting the helmet into the saddlebag
once more, he leaned forward and rubbed his horse's damp neck.
"We'll be back in no time. And then," he said with a
content tone, "you can take a long rest back at the stable. I bet that
chestnut mare will be happily awaiting your arrival."
The bay nickered softly, bobbing its head up and down in
agreement.
A piercing bellow snapped the knight out of his musing
trance. Snapping his head around, he reined the horse around. Another
cry, much more fearful that the first sounded not long after, and it
appeared to have come back from the forest, which he had been so eager
to leave behind. Furrowing his brows he kicked his horse into action.
The steed leaped forward, heels churning up dust as they galloped back
across the field towards the trees, cloak billowing behind him.
Charging down the path straight for her was a white
stallion, or so Kera thought. She couldn't be sure due to the dirt and
mud which had been so artfully and thoroughly rubbed into its coat.
Upon its back, riding bareback was a man whose face was twisted into a
scowl. His hair was chopped into a shaggy and unkempt mane that was
oddly tinted green. His body was not much different yet with the
occasional smear of soil upon his cheeks or his unclothed chest. Dark
green tattoos ran up and down his arms and curved around his neck up
onto his face. The man... creature's mouth was opened and he let out a
noisy and not to mention unruly holler.
While his left hand gripped the horse's dirty mane, his
right hand bore a short sword that didn't have the normal 'T' hilt.
Instead, it had a hilt that didn't had the two branches of a 'T'. The
metal was rusty and jagged. Scrambling backwards, Kera began running
as fast as she could towards the countryside. Her eyes were wide with
fear as she dashed towards daylight. Yet it was quite clear to both
her and the feral horseman that she would never outrun the horse.
Throwing a hasty glance behind her she saw that the horse that was
bearing down on her heels was smaller than it had appeared. It was
only a sturdy mountain pony but nonetheless fast.
The man slashed out with his sword towards her. Feeling a
sudden agonizing sting, Kera stopped running with the pony still
cantering away and clasped her right hand over her left arm. Bringing
her hand away she saw that her palm was dripping with blood. Her mouth
opened as she yelled out in surprise and pain. The man wheeled his
horse around and aimed straight for her again. Raising her hands to
protect her face, Kera backed up against a tree. She heard a whistling
noise and then screaming as the sword sliced at her hands. Luckily
just the tip of the sword had cut into her palm instead of hacking her
fingers off.
Suddenly attacks where coming from every angle whether
they were from weapon or hand. Either there were more of these
creatures of this man was one excellent swordsman. Metal contacted the
soft flesh in her side leaving red trails of blood. Even her clothing
was no protection against the assaults. Something hissed near her
face, slashing at her cheek and forehead. Something hit her very hard
in the stomach, knocking the breath from her chest. It was only a blow
to the back of her head from the flat side of a sword that brought
Kera to her knees. Blood dripped into her eyes and as the pain began
to take over her, the attacks stopped.
Waiting for the world to stop swimming before her eyes,
she slowly got to her feet. Stumbling over rocks and roots she managed
to find her way out of the forest and finally into the sunlight, where
the brightness hurt her eyes immensely.
The knight urged his horse on towards the forest. Nearing
the dark woods edge, he quickly dismounted when he spotted a figure
emerge from the dirt path that lead through the wooded area. Swinging
off the bay, he jogged quickly towards the figure, leaving the horse
to munch comfortably on the luscious green grass. Coming closer, he
could see that the figure was a girl. Various places on her face had
been nicked by a sword undoubtedly, and blood was slipping slowly down
her cheek. Her clothes, strange as they were, had been cut up to
reveal more places that she had been brutally attacked.
Walking uncertainly towards him, she staggered and he
leapt forward to catch her but she waved him away with her bloodied
hands. Bumping her shoulder into his she roughly shoved away and
tripped over her feet sideways. Maintaining her composure, her hands
were raised by her side. Long black hair fell around her shoulders as
it loosened from its tie. Stumbling constantly from her knees to her
feet, the knight watched helplessly as the girl refused every attempt
he made to help her. Her eyes were unfocused as she frequently wiped
the blood from them. Each step she took down the path was even more
uncertain than the last until her knees finally buckled and she
collapsed in a heap.
Crouching down, the knight lifted the girl's head slightly
with his palm to get a better look at her face. Pushing back a few
strands of hair, he used his thumb to wipe away a smudge of dirt mixed
in with blood on her cheek.
"Miss? You really need help. You're badly hurt," he said
gently.
Kera's eyes fluttered closed then open. Her cracked lips
were open ever so slightly as she took in small breaths, her chest
rising with every lungful of air.
"Where am I?" she mumbled faintly. "What year is it?"
The man pursed his lips for a moment. The Woads which most
likely attacked her really must have caused her enough damage that she
would forget such a simple fact.
"We are in Britain. You are in the year of the rule of
the Holy Father and Rome," he answered bitterly.
Kera moaned and shivered. Her lips trembled as she tried
to wrap her sore arms around herself but only winced as the skin near
gashes on her arms stretched painfully when she moved her arm.
It was time for the knight to question the girl now.
Placing the girl's head back down on the ground with care, he pulled
his cloak covered her.
"Pray may I ask what your name is?"
Kera licked her lips before answering.
"Kera," she said. "And you?"
The knight inclined his head towards her.
"Lancelot. I be a knight in Arthur's court."
Kera nodded subconsciously. The name did ring a bell. But
her brain was swarmed with too many things at the same time. Her arms
hurt, her hands hurt, her stomach hurt, heck! her face hurt. Her eyes
sagged as she closed them, her body overcome with fatigue. From then
on, everything went black.
Author's note: IT's me again. I finished chapter 4! Aren't you proud
of me. I hope I got most of the few facts I used correct. And for all
you traditional King Arthur lovers (sword in the stone... Lancelot being
French... sorry to disappoint you but I'm basing my story off the one
written by Frank Thompson where Roman Briton is the main thing.)