The Dragon and The Snow Chapter Six: The Goose Princess
Now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom
On the gray
~ From "Kiss From A Rose" by Seal
Wendell sat near the fire eying the gypsies as they eyed him back. It had been several hours since he and Mordred were found by them and they invited them to stay with them for the night, but Wendell knew how to behave around them and to never trust them.
He recalled the conversation that he had with Mordred about the gypsies earlier:
"Do not refuse anything they offer do not consume anything that you don't see them eat first, and for God's sake if they have any magical birds do not set them free!"
"You sound like you know them rather well," Mordred quipped.
"I didn't meet them Antony, Wolf, and Virginia did and told me about it. I was indisposed at the time," Wendell said testily.
"What were you doing?" Mordred asked.
"I had a bad experience," Wendell said in a tone that indicated he did not want to say more.
One of the gypsies a very large man holding an even larger knife grinned widely at the two visitors. "Ah, your highness!Our clan has been loyal to King Wendell since our cousinds did their best to help you when you were transfomred into a dog!"
Ignoring the blatant fabrication to the story, Wendell glanced over at Mordred who was barely concealing a look of sarcastic amusement. "Indeed, a dog you say?"
Wendell glared at his traveling companion but turned to the gypsy. "Sir, my companion and I really need to get to the Second Kingdom, we shall not trouble you any further."
The man held up his knife and as is on cue the others held up theirs. "We insist that you stay with us your highness," the man replied sharply.
"On the other hand," Wendell said quickly. "We could use a rest."
That was several hours ago and Wendell took bites out of the food he was offered. The gypsies were laughing and dancing around the fire. Mordred sat down next to the young king. From the tipsy way he swayed, Wendell could guess that he had sampled more than enough of their ale. Mordred was about to open his mouth, but Wendell cut him off sharply. "Mordred I am sure you have a whole stack of 'the king used to be a dog jokes' but I can almost assure you that the punchline to everyone of them is 'Your highness will you please remove your sword from my stomach?'"
"I wasn't going to say anything" Mordred replied. "Well not yet anyway. You got any plans for getting us out of here," He said in a whisper indicating that he had an idea.
"No do you?" He said glibly.
"Yes I call it swords and plenty of them," Mordred said fiercely.
"You are not going to kill them," Wendell commanded.
"Do you have a better idea?" Mordred said.
"We need to at least find out what they are planning on doing with us first," Wendell said.
"It mgiht involve decorating their caravans with our heads," Mordred said. The two whispered fiercely back and forth when the large gypsy called to their attention.
"Your highness my people will lead you across the forest into the Second Kingdom."
"Thank you," Wendell said. "I highly appreciate it."
"For a price," The gypsy replied.
"Didn't see that one coming did you?" Mordred mocked.
Wendell hit the knight with a savage look. "Name it."
"We will ask for your swords," the gypsy commanded.
Wendell felt the sword in his hilt. "I'm sorry but I cannot do that" Wendell said. "My sword is sacred to me, it was a gift from my father." Not to mention the fact that I am not going anywhere with Mordred unarmed, Wendell thought. "I shall pay you in gold coins, I have plenty of those," he said aloud.
The gypsy smiled his teeth almost gleaming in the moonlight. "Yes we shall take those and your swords."
Wendell hesitated then removed his sword from its hilt and handed it to the men along with the gold coins he promised. The gypsy collected then turned to Mordred. "Now you," he said. Mordred glared fiercely at the man and stood, his face rigid and defiant. He quickly removed the sword from his scabbard pointing it right at the man. The gypsies gasped and Wendell reared back in surprise. Mordred then turned the sword around so the hilt faced the gypsy and handed it to him sitting back down. The gypsy took the new prizes and nodded thank you to the two men.
An older woman rose from the opposite end of the fire. Her white hair hung over her shoulders and she looked at the two men eagerly. "I will read you both now starting with the king."
She looked down at her cards as she set them out in formation. Wendell looked down to see a card with a young girl waking up from sleep surrounded by nine swords. "You have suffered a tremendous burden recently one of many which you feel you are too blame."Wendell nodded said nothing as she laid down another card. "You have been tormented by images of both your past and your future." She then laid down one last one. "I see a great battle which will test you."
"Can you see the victor?" Wendell asked.
The gypsy looked closely. "It depends on how these threads are. That one could bring about your death." She nodded in Mordred's direction. "Now I shall hear from you," she said. Wendell stood up and Mordred practically sauntered next to the woman.
She shuffled her deck and put down a two of swords. "You have committed a grievous sin one in which you paid for with your life." She looked closely at the knight as if looking inside him. Mordred felt very uncomfortable with how closely she stared at him. "You have the stench of the Underworld in you!"
"That's one way of describing it," Mordred said sarcastically.
The gypsy pretended not to hear him as she laid down another card. "Your heart is heavier than you would like it to be."
"Wasn't aware that I had one," Mordred muttered. The gypsy laid down one last card: The king of swords. "You shall fight your greatest adversary you shall win and you shall lose."
Mordred's eyes widened. "What the bloody hell-?"
The gypsy woman looked up and smiled. "You are both welcome to stay for the night!"
Wendell smiled. "Thank you madam we will take you up on that offer."
Wendell walked across the hallway timidly. He didn't want anyone to hear him walking around the palace past his bedtime or worse realizing that he woke up because of a nightmare! He tiptoed past Nanny Christina's room. He definitely didn't want to wake her. Even though she was really nice and played with the young prince often, sometimes she scared him like the other night when he sneaked up behind her and saw her pouring his mother's drink. She grabbed him and asked him what he had seen shaking him hard. He told her he hadn't seen anything, eventually she let him go. But she told him not to tell anyone that she had been there or she would tell his parents that he was there too. Wendell didn't know what she meant, but he agreed.
Wendell walked past his parent's room. The light was on and he could hear his father speaking softly and almost sadly. Wendell poked his head in. His mother Ashley wasn't feeling very well, maybe Papa was trying to help her feel better! He could see his father sitting next to the bedside his ebony head hanging down. All around the room he could see his father's courtiers fully dressed and standing silent including the two newer younger ones.15 year old Lord Rupert and 17 year old Count Vronsky were standing on opposite ends of Wendells' parents' wardrobe their faces down, but Wendell could not see why. He could see Rupert and Vronsky through the crack in the door, but the other courtiers were around his parents' bed. Why were they all in his parents' room? What was going on? Feeling his chest fill with fear, Wendell opened the door further to see his father sitting on their bed. At first King Whitney did not look up, but after a few minutes he looked at his son. Wendell walked into the bedroom closer, he could see his father's face was pale and his eyes were red. Had he been crying? His father never cried! Wendell looked closer to see his mother, Queen Ashley lying in bed. Her red curly hair spilled past her shoulders and down to her ankles. She was still dressed in her long white nightgown and she was asleep. She is just asleep, Wendell told himself but why are all of these people around her? Wendell walked closer and gently pushed his mother. "Mummy, mummy you need to wake up," he said softly.
"Wendell," King Whitney said softly but firmly. "I need to tell you something, your mother is not going to wake up."
But the young prince would not hear him. He continued to push his mother a little harder. "Mummy! Mummy! You need to wake up, please open your eyes," he pleaded.
The courtiers began speaking at once. "Your mother can't be with you, lad!" "Maybe he should go back to his room." "Leave him alone, for God's sake!" Wendell continued calling for his mother, as one of the men either Giles or Griswold, Wendell couldn't tell which one picked him up. Wendell looked over the man's shoulder. "Mummy! Mummy!" He screamed, his voice echoing down the hall in pain. He only hoped it would be loud enough to wake his mother.
Startled, Wendell woke from his dream and rubbed his eyes. He was no longer in his parents' bedroom hoping his mother would wake up, instead he was still in the gypsy camp and looking out at a starry moonlit night. Thank God it isn't full, Wendell thought, The last thing that Virginia needs is that husband of hers going mad again. I hope they are all right and Antony as well, he thought hopeful that he would at least see them again.
"Bad dream?" Mordred said startling Wendell out of his somber thoughts.
"More like a bad memory," Wendell muttered. He looked closely at the other man as if seeing him for the first time. The gypsy woman's words entered his mind "You have the stench of the Underworld in you." He also remembered when they first met and Mordred saying something about being brought into the world to take his father out of it. He opened his mouth trying to say something, but then decided on a different tactic.
"May I ask you something?" Wendell asked.
"Do I have to answer?" Mordred said but something in his tone indicated that there was no sting in his voice and that Wendell could ask away.
"What's it like you know down there?" He pointed downwards.
"It's hot, excrutiating, and full of demons," Mordred answered. "Alright let me tell you better, close your eyes. Go on then." Wendell complied as Mordred continued. "Now imagine the worst moments in your life, not just the annoying ones the ones that ripped your insides out. But imagine not having to live them once and be done with it.
Imagine reliving them every second of every day and knowing that it will never end."
"Do you feel anything from all of this?" Wendell asked.
"No," Mordred said.
"Or from what you did to get there?" Wendell went on. "After all you just said-"
"No!" Mordred said even more firmly. "It was like when I was alive! I feel bits and pieces here and there but nothing solid. Nothing that stays." As if realizing he said more than he intended to, Mordred turned away from the other man leaving Wendell to wonder if he was fully telling the truth or not.
The next morning, Mordred woke up a little earlier than Wendell. He had a job to do that he intended to finish. He sneaked over to the caravan where he saw the weapons and reached for one. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the large gypsy man who met Wendell and Mordred the other night. He was deep in conversation with another man a large blond man with a scar on his right cheek and bow and arrows draped expertly around his body. Mordred could definitely see the two men exchanging gold coins. He didn't know what they were talking about but his instincts told him it wasn't good and that more than likely he and Wendell were the subject of conversation.
"What's the matter?" Wendell asked sleepily.
"I think our friends are planning to betray us." Mordred said. "I saw the gypsy talking to a man with a bow and arrow. They exchanged gold just now!"
Wendell's eyes widened. "A hunter! We are in trouble, they are hired killers. With no weapons we have to leave here."
"And I know how!" Mordred motioned Wendell to follow him to one of the carts and invited Wendell to come up with him.
"You are stealing one of their carts!?" Wendell accused.
"You have a better idea?" Realizing he had none Wendell jumped on the cart after Mordred and Mordred hitched the horses to ride. The horses galloped away as the commotion dragged the gypsies out of their sleep.
Wendell looked behind him seeing the gypsies mounting their horses and running after them on foot gaining. "Out of curiosity do we have a plan B?"
"As a matter of fact yes," Mordred replied. He then took out one of the crossbows from the back of the cart and fired it. The arrow hit the closest gypsy. The young gypsy fell over.
"You stole their weapons?" Wendell said shocked. "When?"
"Last night," Mordred said. "They were planning on betraying us."
"You did not know that then," Wendell reminded him.
"So I borrowed them until I did know," Mordred retorted. "Besides I have a little present for you." He took out Wendell's sword and handed it to him. "Don't say I never gave you anything." Wendell glanced over at his traveling companion quizzically.
Suddenly there was a silence, Wendell gulped. "Worse than I thought. They called off the hunt, if memory serves from what the others told me that means they will curse us."
"With what?" Mordred asked.
"I don't know," Wendell replied. "When Virginia was cursed by them all she did was set some magic birds free that they had caught. Thanks to you we stole a cart, stole some of their weapons, returned back the gifts we gave them, and killed one of their men. Under the circumstances, I imagine the curse will be a lot worse."
Hawke paced angrily as the gypsies returned. "Well," he growled.
"We were not able to reach them sir," one of them said. Hakwe rolled his eyes. He didn't know why he had stooped so low as to hire gypsies after all they were vulgar, stupid, and lazy. They would take the gold and not do anything, but he knew he had to do this. For the Queen's sake and his fellow Hunters, but particularly for their leader. The Huntsman never had another name that Hawke knew but he was more like a father to him than his real one and he knew the Huntsman felt the same for him. He told him after he lost his son (though he never said how the boy died), he saw in him the hunting spirit that he hoped his son would have had. The least Hawke could do was bring his killer's to justice or rather his style of justice. It wasn't just the money he would have done it for free.
"Why did you call them off?" he turned to the gypsy woman furious.
"You wish to catch them do you not?" she asked in a tone meaning that she knew he did.
"I will take care of it," she called one of her fellow gypsies over. "Bring me one of our horseshoes," she said. The gypsy nodded and stepped into the trees. Hawke then heard a loud sound like a clang against metal and heard a horse cry out in agony. Then the gypsy reappeared with a horseshoe in his hand. The gypsy woman smiled. "They are approaching the river," she said. "They will fall either by your hand or by the rivers." She then chanted a phrase putting her hands on the horseshoe her eyes glowing as she spoke.
Hawke grinned as he mounted his horse and rode off to catch his prey.
Mordred and Wendell continued to ride widely through the forest. "I think we lost them," Mordred said.
"That was too easy," Wendell said warily. "I know that they cursed us."
"Will you stop with your curses?" Mordred said. "We are fine!" Just as he said that one of the wheels to the carriage fell off. Wendell glared at Mordred who sheepishly added. "Just a coincidence?"
Soon after that the second back wheel fell off. The carriage spiraled madly as the two men struggled to keep onto the reins. "And that? Was that a concidence too?" Wendell asked sharply.
"Sure it was," Mordred said unsure this time. Then the two men jerked forward as the horses collapsed to the ground. The force knocked Wendell and Mordred off the front seat and onto the ground on top of the deceased steeds and right on a cliff overlooking a river.
"And that one? What was that?" Wendell couldn't resist asking.
"Just come on," Mordred commanded as he grasped his sword in hand Wendell reached for his sword, but motioned to Mordred as the carriage dangled above the cliff.
"Watch yourself and how we get out of here," he said. "We could fall into Lorelei River."
"How do we get up then?" Mordred asked moving his feet and once again the cart dangled over the cliffs. He then looked over his head and saw the answer to his own question. He picked up one of the gypsies daggers and fired it at a vine above one of the trees. The vine fell as Mordred held onto it swinging slightly off the carriage and onto the ground. He briefly entertained the notion of just leaving the king there, but then decided instead to toss the vine to him. Wendell reluctantly grabbed it and swung slightly to the cliff just as the cart lost its grip falling to the river below.
"Well we lost the cart and your hard earned weapons," Wendell said sarcastically. "But at least we are alive."
"For how long?" a voice asked. The two men turned around to see the hunter looking at him. His arrow pointed towards them. "You two are coming with me," he said.
"Who sends you?" Wendell asked.
"It does not matter she wants you dead," Hawke replied emphasizing the "you" leaving Wendell with an unspoken thought that he meant to leave someone else alive. He glanced over at Mordred. But Hawke spoke for him. "I shall kill your knight as well."
Despite the gravity of the situation, Wendell almost laughed. "My knight? Oh he isn't my knight! You mean-" Who did he want alive then?
Before another word could come out, Mordred drew his own sword. Hawke was prepared for such an encounter as he drew his bow and arrow but before he could fire it, Mordred fired one of his daggers at the hunter. The arrow fell out of the hunter's hand, but he attacked Mordred by his hand. The two pummelled at each other fighting unaware they were approaching the chasm. Wendell picked up Mordred's sword which fell to the ground in a scuffle ready to hit the Hunter over the head with the blunt end. The hunter surprised by the attack grabbed Wendell by the wrist and pushed him the force indirectly causing him to lose his balance and fall into Mordred as the two fell over the side into the roaring water below.
Lynette walked into Naked City keeping herself hidden from most people but keeping her eyes on the crowds of people, for her targets. She couldn't find Virginia Wolf, her husband, nor that gnome anywhere. She asked a local if he knew of any visitors and he responded drunkenly of course, that he saw three people of their description entering the town but they were gone. She cursed under her breath, then felt overcome by a splitting headache. Rolling her eyes, the female hunter picked up her hand mirror and saw the visage of Queen Hilda.
"Well did you find them yet," she asked.
Lynette nodded. "I am in Naked City where they were last, my queen," she said. "But I see no trace of them."
"Find anyone who may know of them and return to the 4th Kingdom. I have matters that I would like to discuss with you."
Fearful but not wanting to show it, Lynetter nodded. "Yes, my queen." The mirror then went blank.
Lynette looked up to see a building known as the Palace of Beauty. She thought it over, Virginia Wolf did travel with two men. Either one of them, the gnome perhaps, could have solicited some company for the night. The door was wide open so she went inside. She called "hello" several times before she could see that the basement door was open. "Hello?" she called. A man was seated in a bench overlooking an empty glass case. Around him were eleven other empty cases. She called to him again and he stood up. She could see that he was rather tall and had a long blue beard that carried down to his ankles.
"Are you the proprieter of this establishment?" Lynette asked roughly.
"I am and what do you want of me," the man asked.
"I am looking for three strangers, a woman with long brown hair and blue eyes, her husband a half-wolf with dark hair and yellow eyes, and their companion a gnome he could take many forms but last I saw of him he had long yellow hair."
At the woman's description the man's eyes narrowed further and further and his face became almost red with fury. Lynette knew she had found the right man!
"Yes I do know of them," he said savagely. "They took my Exotic Beauty away from me!"
Lynette smiled thinly. "How would you like me to help you get her back?" she asked.
Bluebeard's eyes widened at the offer. "What would I have to do?"
Lynette shrugged. "Come with me to the 4th Kingdom, I am sure you can find those who would help you." Bluebeard smiled wickedly and followed the young attractive woman out the door.
The river seemed to grab at Wendell and pull him down. He tried to hold onto the rocks but the current kept pushing him along. He was never a very fast swimmer and in a rocky rapids such as these it was almost impossible to maintain anything resembling balance. For Wendell it was just a struggle to keep his head above water, but every time he tried to move his head up the waves would crash into him and fill his nose and mouth forcing him back under again! Wendell felt with each struggle of the waves it was useless to hold on. He felt a large gust of water through him face first into the water and felt his strength leave him. So this is what it's like to die. Funny not at all like I expected, he thought. The water pushed him even further under as he thought of his friends Virginia, Wolf, Antony and those new people Merlin, Nimue, and Frick, and his people. Would they be all right without him? How would they learn of his death? He felt a vision of someone's arm grabbing him forcefully out of the water and force him from the waves and that was the last thing he felt before he completely gave into blackness.
The first thing Wendell felt when he awoke were soft hands gently placed upon his face. "It's allright," a soft female voice said gently. It was a voice that was instantely pleasant to listen too almost girlish. Wendell opened his eyes slowly to see a young woman looking back at him. She looked about his age to a few years younger. She had golden hair tied into a long loose braid and wore a white dress. She looked at him with large kind blue eyes and a small winsome face.
"Is he dead can we eat him?" a sharp tongued female voice asked in a sarcastic tone.
"Behave yourself, Cora," the woman turned to the direction of the speaker but then turned back to the invalid king. "Welcome back, for a moment I thought that we had lost you."
"I hope that I am not dead, but if this is a dream I hope that I do not wake up," Wendell said weakly.
The woman laughed at the compliment. "How long have I been asleep?" Wendell asked.
"Two days," the woman responded. Wendell started uncomfortably. He was prepared to hear a few hours, or even several, but two whole days? What was going on here had this woman drugged him?
As if reading his mind, the young woman spoke in a reassuring voice. "My lady-in-waiting Cora found you and your companion washed up along the shore. She and a hunting party carried you back to the palace, you two were almost dead."
Wendell regained enough strength to sit up and look around the room. It was beautifully furnished with older antiques. White curtains, furniture, and bedclothes were prevelant. A baby grand piano sat on one side of the room. Oil paintings filled the walls. One in particular caught Wendell's eye. It was of a woman who looked almost exactely like the woman who was speaking to him dressed in a long violet evening gown and draped in a red robe wearing a gold crown.
Another woman stood by the doorway, one foot propped against the open door and standing on the other. Wendell assumed she was the one that the other woman called "Cora." That name sounded vaguely familiar to Wendell, but he couldn't quite place where. Cora had short neck length dark hair tied in a tight French braid down her back and was dressed in a white pirate blouse and dark riding trousers. A sword hung expertly at her side and she looked at Wendell with mistrust and apprehension.
"Well I must thank you both for rescuing me and sending me here," Wendell said. "If only I knew where "here" was."
The blond woman laughed again. "You are in the Second Kingdom."
Wendell sighed with relief. The Second Kingdom! What a stroke of luck, but Wendell knew more than likely it was not luck. He offered a silent thanks to his late grandmother, Snow White before he spoke again looking around "Where is Mordred?" he asked.
"Mordred, is that the other man you were with?" the woman asked. "He is asleep in the next room. In fact," she turned to her lady-in-waiting. "Cora, if Mordred is awake why don't you tell him that King Wendell has awaken."
Cora looked extremely reluctant, but then sauntered off to follow her mistress' orders.
Wendell could not shake the vague feeling of apprehension he felt about this woman. "You know who I am then?"
The woman nodded. "Father attended your coronation three years ago. I wanted to come as well, but at the time Father would not let me go anywhere outside the palace grounds."
Wendell nodded. So this woman was Royalty, just as he suspected. He rubbed his chin in an almost teasing manner. "Second Kingdom, I know you are not Red Riding Hood III, since I have seen her many times more times than I would care to see her. So you must be either Hildegarde, Gretel the Great's grandaughter or Leda, the Goose Princess' grandaughter."
The woman smiled. "I am Leda. I'm surprised you know me. Our part of the kingdom is not nearly as vast as the other two's." Wendell smiled. He liked this woman.
He looked at the closed door, that's why the name Cora sounded so familiar! "Hmm, Cora, Cora isn't that the same name as the lady-in-waiting who briefly impersonated your grandmother and made her serve as a goose girl?"
Leda nodded. "The very same, our Cora is that Cora's granddaughter."
Wendell was amazed. "You mean you have the relative of one of your family's worst enemies working for you? Don't you worry about what she could do to you?"
Leda shook her head as if the idea would be inconceivable. "No I learned a long time ago that Cora is not her grandmother."
"How?" Wendell asked.
"I'll tell you sometime," Leda said. "For now you probably need your rest. If you are hungry dinner will be ready at 7 precisely if you are hungry."
Wendell grinned. "Well there is something I need to ask you while I'm here, I guess I could stay for supper," he said but then looked down and felt embarrassed. "I am very suddenly aware that I am dressed in nothing but a nightshirt." He blushed as Leda gently handed him his clothes making sure that she turned away and left the room before things got improper.
Cora walked into the other bedroom. It was dark and still. She could see the body of the man laying down in the bed. His breathing was still as though he were asleep, but his straight body showed that he was only feigning sleep. Cora drew her sword and pointed it at the man's neck. "If you so much as touch any of your weapons while I am in here I will personally remove your head," she threatened.
Mordred moved to face the young woman. She was rather pretty in a haughty annoying sort of way. "Well I never thought that any hired assasins would be so lovely, but I am willing to make an exception," he said.
Cora rolled her eyes. "Save your breath. I am only here to inform you that the king has awakened as well. Now your companion I know is King Wendell, but from what I heard the 4th Kingdom has been under attack and the king is missing, but what I cannot figure out is who you are and whether you had anything to do with it."
"My name is Mordred and I am traveling with him not entirely on my own free will," he said. "And that is all you need to know from me and who might you be?"
"My name is Cora and you are in the Second Kingdom and that is all you need to know from me," Cora repeated she was about to leave when she turned back to face him. "Oh and should you want to eat dinner will be ready at 7 as usual."
"Wonderful," Mordred said sarcastically, the then realized that he was undressed! "Hey, where are my clothes?" But he sat back down a seductive leer on his face. "Never mind then I'm sure you and I could get comfortable."
Furious, Cora took his clothes from the wardrobe and threw them on him. She took mild delight in the slight grunt of pain he had as they landed on him. He reached for his shirt and was about to put it on when he realized that Cora was still there watching him. He leered and gave a mock bow. Cora blushed furiously and ran out the door slamming it shut behind her.
Cora and Leda sat across from each other at the dinner table discussing their new visitors, when the door opened and Wendell walked in fully dressed. "Good evening ladies," he said.
"Good evening your majesty," Leda replied.
"Please, you may call me Wendell," Wendell invited.
"Alright and you may call me Leda," Leda said. The two stared at each other for a long time so much that Cora had to roll her eyes.
" You may call me bored," Cora muttered under her breath and cleared her throat breaking the two out of their trance.
Mordred walked downstairs to the dining room. He nodded at Leda and at Cora, particularly at Cora who pretended to turn away and not aknowledge his nod. Then he looked over at Wendell.
"Good to see you are awake," Wendell said in a robotic nonchalant tone.
"Yes well you too," Mordred said just as robotic. The women looked at each other, they could tell there was some sort of friction between the two men.
Leda clapped her hands and ordered one of her servants to serve food to the new guests. "Thank you," Wendell said. The four ate for a bit in silence, until Wendell broke the quiet. "Ladies, actually it is very fortutious that we are here in your kingdom, because we were sent here to the Second Kingdom to meet someone. Do you two know of a woman called Baba Yagga?" Leda and Cora looked at each other terror blanched on their faces. "We need to speak to her."
Leda and Cora exchanged frightened glances, but Leda finally spoke for them. "Yes I know of Baba Yagga, she is a terrible woman, a witch who lives in the Black Forest. That's right outside of my kingdom in fact, but I would advise you not to go there under any circumstances."
"But we must," Wendell said desperately.
Mordred smiled. "Now I'm sure it might be rough on you girls, but I can assure you that us men can handle it."
Cora shook her head and turned to Wendell. "No it isn't like that. Your Majesty, please I agree with Leda. You should not go in there. Many have often gone into the Black Forest, but hardly anyone has come out. Those that have either die shortly afterwards, or come out stark raving madmen! Not to mention Baba Yagga herself. Anyone who goes into that forest is sure to die or turn mad!" She then turned to Mordred. "Sir Mordred, enjoy your trip!"
Wendell turned to Leda. "Yes, I'm sure there are dangers but we, or rather I have to go in there. It's for my people."
Leda looked from her lady in waiting who continued to shake her head, and then back to the king. "Well, allright, I can help you. In fact I really can help you! I do not know where exactely in the Black Forest Baba Yagga is. Rumours and stories mostly, but I know someone who more than likely would. He is very wise and he advises me on many matters. Would you care to meet him?" Wendell stood up and offered his arm to which Leda held it by the shoulder.
"It would be my pleasure to have you help me," he said and the two of them left the room leaving Mordred and Cora glaring at each other, but then returning back to their food.
Wendell and Leda stood outside in a field as Leda reached into her pocket and pulled out a small gold disc. She opened it and pulled out a white gossamer handkerchief.
"Is that your grandmother's handkerchief?" Wendell asked. "The one that protected her from harm?"
Leda nodded. "It is a family heirloom it has been around for three generations." She then held it in her hand and whistled a strange low whistle into it and then spoke. "Falada, faithful Falada come to your golden princess' aid!" Just then a beautiful white horse galloped out of the field approaching the king and princess. Wendell gasped it was the most beautiful whitest horse he had ever seen! He had to look twice to make sure he wasn't actually a unicorn. The horse stood next to Wendell and Leda.
"King Wendell this is Falada, my horse," she said. "Our family's horse."
Wendell nodded feeling a little silly talking to a horse, but he complied. "How do you do um Falada." He turned to Leda. "I thought he was mounted on a wall."
Leda smiled. "He was but my mother found someone to restore him so he can come whenever he was called."
The horse spoke in a high clear voice:
"Heir to Snow White has lost his throne
To avenging enemies who have taken his home."
Wendell nodded. So this horse was magic, he understood. "Yes and Leda, your mistress told me that you can help me find the witch Baba Yagga." He turned to Leda. "He doesn't expect me to ask only in rhyme does he?"
Leda gave him a strange look as if that question was absurd. "No it's allright."
Falada gave a neighing sound which Wendell hoped meant a positive answer.
"What you seek and what you have seen
Shall be found within the greens
Center of the forest black as night
Shall be a house within sight
Three riders shall surround the home
That balances on a large chicken bone."
Wendell glanced at Leda. He was not sure whether this advice was helpful or not, but he decided to give it a shot. "Thank you Falada," Leda said. "You may stay around the grounds if you like." Falada nodded and galloped through the grounds and a little closer to the palace. Wendell and Leda followed him into the palace grounds into a lovely garden. There were all kinds of flowers many of which Wendell didn't even know their names, growing and a little fountain spilled across the grounds into a small creek. A birdbath sat in the center as three robins and a bluebird drank their fill. Everywhere there was a fragrant lovely scent. "What do you think?" Leda asked.
"It's lovely," Wendell said picking one of the flowers and shyly handing it to the princess. "Did you do this?"
Leda nodded modestly. " Yes I told you my father used to order me to stay around the grounds. Well I had to have something to occupy my time. In fact until I met Cora I did not have any close friends." Falada snorted in defiance and Leda corrected herself. "With one exception of course." At the mention of the lady in waiting's name, Wendell turned to the house warily. "Is something the matter?" Leda asked.
"Yes I do hope your lady-in-waiting is safe with Mordred," Wendell said.
Leda grinned slyly. "Knowing Cora as I do, I more of wonder if your friend is safe with her."
"You do trust her," Wendell asked confused.
Leda shrugged. "Of course I do, why would I not?"
"But she is your family's enemy, I would watch my back if I were you," Wendell reminded her.
Leda stared incredulously. "She could never hurt me. Let me tell you something about Cora. When her grandmother's crimes were discovered, the king appeared before her and said 'What would be the most fitting punishment for a pretender to the royal house?' Not realizing that she was being set up, she responded 'She would deserve no less than to be flung from the highest tower by the servants.' The king then said 'You have pronounced your own fate' and they were just about to do it when my grandmother intervened on her behalf. She said that she could not bear to see anyone get hurt, least of all a woman who had served her faithfully, she thought, for years. So the king ordered her instead to be banished from the kingdom never to return. Well that Cora left and eventually married a huntsman. They then had a son who they had raised to seek vengeance upon our family, but they died before the boy could carry it out. He grew and married a gypsy woman and they eventually had our Cora. In the meantime my grandmother gave birth to my father. They told him the story of our grandmothers and Father became very afraid. When I was born he was afraid that they would try to kidnap or kill me, so he became very protective of me. He kept me on the grounds, I was not to leave the palace without an escort and was ordered never to speak to any strangers. I may have resented it, but he had good intentions he was very worried for me.
Meanwhile Cora's parents raised her to shoot, ride, and fight as well as any man. Since her mother was a gypsy she was raised to learn a little magic. They raised her to one day meet and kill me. When she came of age, she sought work in our palace making up a story about how she was an orphan and had no family. My father hired her as my lady-in-waiting. She was a wonderful servant and became a wonderful friend, I thought. She would sometimes take me outside the grounds and I saw this wonderful world that I never had seen before and I like to think maybe I taught her a few things as well. We were very close until one night when we were both sixteen. She led me out of the palace and into the woods. Then suddenly, she pulled me to a tree and held up her crossbow. I was so afraid that she would kill me! I began crying begging her to release me, asking how could she when we were friends. Then I saw her hand shake and she took down the bow. Her father appeared on a horse and grabbed me. He threw me into their closet. I was never so terrified in my life! Eventually my father's guards found me and rescued me. Sadly, Cora's parents were killed in the fight and she was arrested. My father wanted to have her executed, and like my grandmother I pleaded on her behalf. She was grateful and I kept her as my lady-in-waiting. She has been with me ever since."
"And you forgave her?" Wendell asked.
Leda smiled. "She had a perfect oppurtunity to kill me. No one was around, no one would have seen her and maybe even would not have found me and she didn't do it. She would not do it. Of course I forgave her, she never knew me. She was brought up to hate me without knowing who I was and I was brought up to fear her without knowing who she was." Wendell shook his head and seemed unconvinced. Leda could tell that Wendell was not really thinking of Cora but something else, or rather someone else. "How did you get out of the river?" She asked.
Wendell was surprised at the sudden and abrupt change of subject. "You told me so yourself, Cora found us."
The princess shook her head. "No that is how you got from the shore to the palace. How did you get out of the river?"
Wendell's eyes narrowed and he tried to recall. He hadn't thought of that. He looked over at the garden. "Would you like to show me around this lovely place. I would be interested in a tour from the expert?"
Leda smiled obliging. "It would be my pleasure," she replied.
The creature came within the night blending into the shadows. He could not be seen or heard. He barely spoke when he did his job, but sometimes the more observant knew he was there.They could barely make him out in the darkness or just felt his presence. Sometimes even saw his two yellow eyes staring at them seeing all he could see. He did not usually attack, it was not in his nature he was more of an observer, but for his beloved Queen Mab, he would make an exception. After all he was no traitor like other creatures, he could name. Shadow kept his eyes on the palace he could see the courtyard wide open. King Wendell had just retired with the young blond woman and walked back inside. Shadow was about to advance closer but the door closed before he could reach.
The Dark Sidhe cursed under his breath, but then he glanced over to the outside hallway of the courtyard. Maybe eventually the king would find his way there. He looked closely, he didn't have to look very long for someone approached. The figure walked into the hallway and drew his sword from his scabbard and began to practice fighting. He lunged at his invisible enemies. Shadow flew closer to the hallway to keep a closer look.From the distance he could see fine, but he wanted to be sure that what he saw was true. The young man was familiar, dark hair tangled to his shoulders, cold blue eyes, a sardonic swagger, a dark demenour. No, it couldn't be. He was dead surely? Mortals no mortals live that long, do they? He heard the news he had to be dead. But if he lived again, what was he doing here? What would be done with him? He had to report this latest development to the Queen. Ignoring his pursuit of King Wendell he left to tell Mab his discovery!
Mordred continued to practice his fencing through the courtyard. It was empty, but he pretended that he was facing his enemies. He attacked them full force as he would any other. He lunged practically danced through the courtyard until he came upon the hall overlooking the garden. A white horse was eating the grass in the garden looking up as Mordred approached. The horse stamped and looked at the young former knight seemed to look through him. He spoke:
"Son of the Dragon murderer of the king
Must face his demons to avoid becoming."
Makes perfect sense, Mordred thought sarcastically. He was about to raise his sword again when another sword clashed against it. This sword belonged to Cora. "Care to practice against a real threat?" she asked.
"Sure do you know of any?" Mordred said sarcastically.
Cora then held her sword and clashed it against Mordred's. "I think I can manage."
Their swords banged against each other as they fought one another. Cora lunged her sword and Mordred swerved to avoid it. "Do you always meet men this way?" he asked.
"Now you know why I'm alone," Cora said swerving to avoid his attack and attacking straight back.
"Is there any particular reason why I have the pleasure of your company just now as well as your talents," Mordred asked as she perried his next move. "Or probable lack thereof?" He blocked her attack and forced her to the ground.
Cora leaped on to one of the benches as their swords clashed practically sang as they hit against each other. "I saw you standing out here practicing fighting and was curious or rather concerned over what you might do."
"Most people are," Mordred answered leaping up on the same bench as Cora leaped down and then jumped down as the two battled. "If you must know I was practicing my skill in case they will be needed tomorrow when Wendell and I go to meet your friend."
"Which reminds me where are you from?" Cora asked. "I know that you are not from the 4th Kingdom, somehow I don't think you are from any of the 9. Perhaps from the 10th that everyone is raving about."
"Something like that," Mordred said. The two attacked once more fighting against each other proving an equal match, though Mordred was slightly better than she was. "Consider me a man of mystery." He leveled the sword at her.
"More like of mediocrity," Cora teased as she pushed the sword away from him with her sword forcing her body up. The two lunged and thrusted their swords at each other faster and harder, half in a game and half behaving as though they were in front of a real enemy. Cora held Mordred at swordpoint and lay on top of him. "Looks like I have the better of you," she said.
"Not quite," Mordred said and then knocked the sword from her hand and rolled both of them over. She kicked him off of her and scooted on the ground to get away from him.
"If I thought you were coming to assasinate Leda, you would have been dead by now," She warned.
"And miss this?" Mordred said. "Not for the worlds. She means that much to you does she?" he asked.
Cora nodded. "She is like a sister to me, yes she means that much to me."
"Yes well your loyalty could get you killed," Mordred said softly approaching her.
"I could say the same for you and your lack of loyalty," She said as she pulled closer to him. The two of them picked up their swords and were about to duel once again but they looked long at each other. They leaned closer together and kissed passionately almost hungry. "Looks like it was a draw." Mordred said as the two kissed even more.
Wendell walked down the hall through the bedrooms fully dressed it was early morning and he and Mordred were going to set out to Baba Yagga's house in the Black Forest. Wendell knocked on the room which Mordred was sleeping. "Mordred, wake up. We are leaving," he said. But there was no answer. He knocked once more and could hear faint whispers, Mordred's and someone else's sounded like a woman's? Wendell could see the door was unlocked so he opened it softly. Mordred and Cora were sitting up on the bed kissing. They were dressed but, Wendell harboured no illusions as to what they had been doing. They pulled away upon the king's entrance. They did not look embarrassed just relaxed. "Did I interrupt anything?" Wendell asked lightly.
"As a matter of fact you did," Mordred said. "What is it?"
"We are preparing to leave. We will be heading to the Black Forest. Leda will lead us to the edge," Wendell replied.
"I guess I will go too then," Cora said. She smiled at Mordred who smiled back. He hadn't been with a woman in a long time and this was the first time a woman had willingly given herself to him. Also, last night was the first night that he had no nightmares about the Underworld. He wasn't sure what he felt but he knew he wanted to see her again. Cora left the room closing the door behind her.
Mordred, Wendell, Cora, and Leda rode up to the edge of the Black Forest. Trees gnarled in front of the top, so tight and thick that the woods inside looked like night. Wind whistled angrily through the trees. Wendell shuddered he could see how the forest got its name. He looked over at Mordred and gave silent thanks that he looked just as nervous as he did. "I guess we had better go in then," Wendell said to Mordred who nodded unsure.
"Just a minute," Leda said. "There is something I want to give to you." She pulled him aside and put something in his hand. He looked down to see the gossamer handkerchief. "It will protect you from harm."
Wendell smiled. "Thank you, Leda but I cannot accept this." He put it back into her hand.
She put the handkerchief back into his. "Take it, you need it more than I would. It may provide protection against whatever is in there."
"I will return it, I promise," Wendell said.
"You had better," she teased. "You two may also have two of my horses. I would give you Falada, but he only lets me ride him and no one else. He is stubborn that way." The horse snorted in protest and neighed.
"I will return, I promise," Wendell said. He leaned over and kissed the young princess.
Mordred and Cora looked at each other. "Good luck and be careful," she said. " I mean it. We still haven't finished our battle yet."
Mordred caught the sarcasm in the young woman's voice. "That is one I am looking forward to." They pulled together and kissed passionately. They continued to kiss until Wendell had to clear his throat.
"We must be off," he said. Mordred mounted his horse, and they waved goodbye, and the two rode off into the woods until the women could not be seen through the trees.
Now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom
On the gray
~ From "Kiss From A Rose" by Seal
Wendell sat near the fire eying the gypsies as they eyed him back. It had been several hours since he and Mordred were found by them and they invited them to stay with them for the night, but Wendell knew how to behave around them and to never trust them.
He recalled the conversation that he had with Mordred about the gypsies earlier:
"Do not refuse anything they offer do not consume anything that you don't see them eat first, and for God's sake if they have any magical birds do not set them free!"
"You sound like you know them rather well," Mordred quipped.
"I didn't meet them Antony, Wolf, and Virginia did and told me about it. I was indisposed at the time," Wendell said testily.
"What were you doing?" Mordred asked.
"I had a bad experience," Wendell said in a tone that indicated he did not want to say more.
One of the gypsies a very large man holding an even larger knife grinned widely at the two visitors. "Ah, your highness!Our clan has been loyal to King Wendell since our cousinds did their best to help you when you were transfomred into a dog!"
Ignoring the blatant fabrication to the story, Wendell glanced over at Mordred who was barely concealing a look of sarcastic amusement. "Indeed, a dog you say?"
Wendell glared at his traveling companion but turned to the gypsy. "Sir, my companion and I really need to get to the Second Kingdom, we shall not trouble you any further."
The man held up his knife and as is on cue the others held up theirs. "We insist that you stay with us your highness," the man replied sharply.
"On the other hand," Wendell said quickly. "We could use a rest."
That was several hours ago and Wendell took bites out of the food he was offered. The gypsies were laughing and dancing around the fire. Mordred sat down next to the young king. From the tipsy way he swayed, Wendell could guess that he had sampled more than enough of their ale. Mordred was about to open his mouth, but Wendell cut him off sharply. "Mordred I am sure you have a whole stack of 'the king used to be a dog jokes' but I can almost assure you that the punchline to everyone of them is 'Your highness will you please remove your sword from my stomach?'"
"I wasn't going to say anything" Mordred replied. "Well not yet anyway. You got any plans for getting us out of here," He said in a whisper indicating that he had an idea.
"No do you?" He said glibly.
"Yes I call it swords and plenty of them," Mordred said fiercely.
"You are not going to kill them," Wendell commanded.
"Do you have a better idea?" Mordred said.
"We need to at least find out what they are planning on doing with us first," Wendell said.
"It mgiht involve decorating their caravans with our heads," Mordred said. The two whispered fiercely back and forth when the large gypsy called to their attention.
"Your highness my people will lead you across the forest into the Second Kingdom."
"Thank you," Wendell said. "I highly appreciate it."
"For a price," The gypsy replied.
"Didn't see that one coming did you?" Mordred mocked.
Wendell hit the knight with a savage look. "Name it."
"We will ask for your swords," the gypsy commanded.
Wendell felt the sword in his hilt. "I'm sorry but I cannot do that" Wendell said. "My sword is sacred to me, it was a gift from my father." Not to mention the fact that I am not going anywhere with Mordred unarmed, Wendell thought. "I shall pay you in gold coins, I have plenty of those," he said aloud.
The gypsy smiled his teeth almost gleaming in the moonlight. "Yes we shall take those and your swords."
Wendell hesitated then removed his sword from its hilt and handed it to the men along with the gold coins he promised. The gypsy collected then turned to Mordred. "Now you," he said. Mordred glared fiercely at the man and stood, his face rigid and defiant. He quickly removed the sword from his scabbard pointing it right at the man. The gypsies gasped and Wendell reared back in surprise. Mordred then turned the sword around so the hilt faced the gypsy and handed it to him sitting back down. The gypsy took the new prizes and nodded thank you to the two men.
An older woman rose from the opposite end of the fire. Her white hair hung over her shoulders and she looked at the two men eagerly. "I will read you both now starting with the king."
She looked down at her cards as she set them out in formation. Wendell looked down to see a card with a young girl waking up from sleep surrounded by nine swords. "You have suffered a tremendous burden recently one of many which you feel you are too blame."Wendell nodded said nothing as she laid down another card. "You have been tormented by images of both your past and your future." She then laid down one last one. "I see a great battle which will test you."
"Can you see the victor?" Wendell asked.
The gypsy looked closely. "It depends on how these threads are. That one could bring about your death." She nodded in Mordred's direction. "Now I shall hear from you," she said. Wendell stood up and Mordred practically sauntered next to the woman.
She shuffled her deck and put down a two of swords. "You have committed a grievous sin one in which you paid for with your life." She looked closely at the knight as if looking inside him. Mordred felt very uncomfortable with how closely she stared at him. "You have the stench of the Underworld in you!"
"That's one way of describing it," Mordred said sarcastically.
The gypsy pretended not to hear him as she laid down another card. "Your heart is heavier than you would like it to be."
"Wasn't aware that I had one," Mordred muttered. The gypsy laid down one last card: The king of swords. "You shall fight your greatest adversary you shall win and you shall lose."
Mordred's eyes widened. "What the bloody hell-?"
The gypsy woman looked up and smiled. "You are both welcome to stay for the night!"
Wendell smiled. "Thank you madam we will take you up on that offer."
Wendell walked across the hallway timidly. He didn't want anyone to hear him walking around the palace past his bedtime or worse realizing that he woke up because of a nightmare! He tiptoed past Nanny Christina's room. He definitely didn't want to wake her. Even though she was really nice and played with the young prince often, sometimes she scared him like the other night when he sneaked up behind her and saw her pouring his mother's drink. She grabbed him and asked him what he had seen shaking him hard. He told her he hadn't seen anything, eventually she let him go. But she told him not to tell anyone that she had been there or she would tell his parents that he was there too. Wendell didn't know what she meant, but he agreed.
Wendell walked past his parent's room. The light was on and he could hear his father speaking softly and almost sadly. Wendell poked his head in. His mother Ashley wasn't feeling very well, maybe Papa was trying to help her feel better! He could see his father sitting next to the bedside his ebony head hanging down. All around the room he could see his father's courtiers fully dressed and standing silent including the two newer younger ones.15 year old Lord Rupert and 17 year old Count Vronsky were standing on opposite ends of Wendells' parents' wardrobe their faces down, but Wendell could not see why. He could see Rupert and Vronsky through the crack in the door, but the other courtiers were around his parents' bed. Why were they all in his parents' room? What was going on? Feeling his chest fill with fear, Wendell opened the door further to see his father sitting on their bed. At first King Whitney did not look up, but after a few minutes he looked at his son. Wendell walked into the bedroom closer, he could see his father's face was pale and his eyes were red. Had he been crying? His father never cried! Wendell looked closer to see his mother, Queen Ashley lying in bed. Her red curly hair spilled past her shoulders and down to her ankles. She was still dressed in her long white nightgown and she was asleep. She is just asleep, Wendell told himself but why are all of these people around her? Wendell walked closer and gently pushed his mother. "Mummy, mummy you need to wake up," he said softly.
"Wendell," King Whitney said softly but firmly. "I need to tell you something, your mother is not going to wake up."
But the young prince would not hear him. He continued to push his mother a little harder. "Mummy! Mummy! You need to wake up, please open your eyes," he pleaded.
The courtiers began speaking at once. "Your mother can't be with you, lad!" "Maybe he should go back to his room." "Leave him alone, for God's sake!" Wendell continued calling for his mother, as one of the men either Giles or Griswold, Wendell couldn't tell which one picked him up. Wendell looked over the man's shoulder. "Mummy! Mummy!" He screamed, his voice echoing down the hall in pain. He only hoped it would be loud enough to wake his mother.
Startled, Wendell woke from his dream and rubbed his eyes. He was no longer in his parents' bedroom hoping his mother would wake up, instead he was still in the gypsy camp and looking out at a starry moonlit night. Thank God it isn't full, Wendell thought, The last thing that Virginia needs is that husband of hers going mad again. I hope they are all right and Antony as well, he thought hopeful that he would at least see them again.
"Bad dream?" Mordred said startling Wendell out of his somber thoughts.
"More like a bad memory," Wendell muttered. He looked closely at the other man as if seeing him for the first time. The gypsy woman's words entered his mind "You have the stench of the Underworld in you." He also remembered when they first met and Mordred saying something about being brought into the world to take his father out of it. He opened his mouth trying to say something, but then decided on a different tactic.
"May I ask you something?" Wendell asked.
"Do I have to answer?" Mordred said but something in his tone indicated that there was no sting in his voice and that Wendell could ask away.
"What's it like you know down there?" He pointed downwards.
"It's hot, excrutiating, and full of demons," Mordred answered. "Alright let me tell you better, close your eyes. Go on then." Wendell complied as Mordred continued. "Now imagine the worst moments in your life, not just the annoying ones the ones that ripped your insides out. But imagine not having to live them once and be done with it.
Imagine reliving them every second of every day and knowing that it will never end."
"Do you feel anything from all of this?" Wendell asked.
"No," Mordred said.
"Or from what you did to get there?" Wendell went on. "After all you just said-"
"No!" Mordred said even more firmly. "It was like when I was alive! I feel bits and pieces here and there but nothing solid. Nothing that stays." As if realizing he said more than he intended to, Mordred turned away from the other man leaving Wendell to wonder if he was fully telling the truth or not.
The next morning, Mordred woke up a little earlier than Wendell. He had a job to do that he intended to finish. He sneaked over to the caravan where he saw the weapons and reached for one. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the large gypsy man who met Wendell and Mordred the other night. He was deep in conversation with another man a large blond man with a scar on his right cheek and bow and arrows draped expertly around his body. Mordred could definitely see the two men exchanging gold coins. He didn't know what they were talking about but his instincts told him it wasn't good and that more than likely he and Wendell were the subject of conversation.
"What's the matter?" Wendell asked sleepily.
"I think our friends are planning to betray us." Mordred said. "I saw the gypsy talking to a man with a bow and arrow. They exchanged gold just now!"
Wendell's eyes widened. "A hunter! We are in trouble, they are hired killers. With no weapons we have to leave here."
"And I know how!" Mordred motioned Wendell to follow him to one of the carts and invited Wendell to come up with him.
"You are stealing one of their carts!?" Wendell accused.
"You have a better idea?" Realizing he had none Wendell jumped on the cart after Mordred and Mordred hitched the horses to ride. The horses galloped away as the commotion dragged the gypsies out of their sleep.
Wendell looked behind him seeing the gypsies mounting their horses and running after them on foot gaining. "Out of curiosity do we have a plan B?"
"As a matter of fact yes," Mordred replied. He then took out one of the crossbows from the back of the cart and fired it. The arrow hit the closest gypsy. The young gypsy fell over.
"You stole their weapons?" Wendell said shocked. "When?"
"Last night," Mordred said. "They were planning on betraying us."
"You did not know that then," Wendell reminded him.
"So I borrowed them until I did know," Mordred retorted. "Besides I have a little present for you." He took out Wendell's sword and handed it to him. "Don't say I never gave you anything." Wendell glanced over at his traveling companion quizzically.
Suddenly there was a silence, Wendell gulped. "Worse than I thought. They called off the hunt, if memory serves from what the others told me that means they will curse us."
"With what?" Mordred asked.
"I don't know," Wendell replied. "When Virginia was cursed by them all she did was set some magic birds free that they had caught. Thanks to you we stole a cart, stole some of their weapons, returned back the gifts we gave them, and killed one of their men. Under the circumstances, I imagine the curse will be a lot worse."
Hawke paced angrily as the gypsies returned. "Well," he growled.
"We were not able to reach them sir," one of them said. Hakwe rolled his eyes. He didn't know why he had stooped so low as to hire gypsies after all they were vulgar, stupid, and lazy. They would take the gold and not do anything, but he knew he had to do this. For the Queen's sake and his fellow Hunters, but particularly for their leader. The Huntsman never had another name that Hawke knew but he was more like a father to him than his real one and he knew the Huntsman felt the same for him. He told him after he lost his son (though he never said how the boy died), he saw in him the hunting spirit that he hoped his son would have had. The least Hawke could do was bring his killer's to justice or rather his style of justice. It wasn't just the money he would have done it for free.
"Why did you call them off?" he turned to the gypsy woman furious.
"You wish to catch them do you not?" she asked in a tone meaning that she knew he did.
"I will take care of it," she called one of her fellow gypsies over. "Bring me one of our horseshoes," she said. The gypsy nodded and stepped into the trees. Hawke then heard a loud sound like a clang against metal and heard a horse cry out in agony. Then the gypsy reappeared with a horseshoe in his hand. The gypsy woman smiled. "They are approaching the river," she said. "They will fall either by your hand or by the rivers." She then chanted a phrase putting her hands on the horseshoe her eyes glowing as she spoke.
Hawke grinned as he mounted his horse and rode off to catch his prey.
Mordred and Wendell continued to ride widely through the forest. "I think we lost them," Mordred said.
"That was too easy," Wendell said warily. "I know that they cursed us."
"Will you stop with your curses?" Mordred said. "We are fine!" Just as he said that one of the wheels to the carriage fell off. Wendell glared at Mordred who sheepishly added. "Just a coincidence?"
Soon after that the second back wheel fell off. The carriage spiraled madly as the two men struggled to keep onto the reins. "And that? Was that a concidence too?" Wendell asked sharply.
"Sure it was," Mordred said unsure this time. Then the two men jerked forward as the horses collapsed to the ground. The force knocked Wendell and Mordred off the front seat and onto the ground on top of the deceased steeds and right on a cliff overlooking a river.
"And that one? What was that?" Wendell couldn't resist asking.
"Just come on," Mordred commanded as he grasped his sword in hand Wendell reached for his sword, but motioned to Mordred as the carriage dangled above the cliff.
"Watch yourself and how we get out of here," he said. "We could fall into Lorelei River."
"How do we get up then?" Mordred asked moving his feet and once again the cart dangled over the cliffs. He then looked over his head and saw the answer to his own question. He picked up one of the gypsies daggers and fired it at a vine above one of the trees. The vine fell as Mordred held onto it swinging slightly off the carriage and onto the ground. He briefly entertained the notion of just leaving the king there, but then decided instead to toss the vine to him. Wendell reluctantly grabbed it and swung slightly to the cliff just as the cart lost its grip falling to the river below.
"Well we lost the cart and your hard earned weapons," Wendell said sarcastically. "But at least we are alive."
"For how long?" a voice asked. The two men turned around to see the hunter looking at him. His arrow pointed towards them. "You two are coming with me," he said.
"Who sends you?" Wendell asked.
"It does not matter she wants you dead," Hawke replied emphasizing the "you" leaving Wendell with an unspoken thought that he meant to leave someone else alive. He glanced over at Mordred. But Hawke spoke for him. "I shall kill your knight as well."
Despite the gravity of the situation, Wendell almost laughed. "My knight? Oh he isn't my knight! You mean-" Who did he want alive then?
Before another word could come out, Mordred drew his own sword. Hawke was prepared for such an encounter as he drew his bow and arrow but before he could fire it, Mordred fired one of his daggers at the hunter. The arrow fell out of the hunter's hand, but he attacked Mordred by his hand. The two pummelled at each other fighting unaware they were approaching the chasm. Wendell picked up Mordred's sword which fell to the ground in a scuffle ready to hit the Hunter over the head with the blunt end. The hunter surprised by the attack grabbed Wendell by the wrist and pushed him the force indirectly causing him to lose his balance and fall into Mordred as the two fell over the side into the roaring water below.
Lynette walked into Naked City keeping herself hidden from most people but keeping her eyes on the crowds of people, for her targets. She couldn't find Virginia Wolf, her husband, nor that gnome anywhere. She asked a local if he knew of any visitors and he responded drunkenly of course, that he saw three people of their description entering the town but they were gone. She cursed under her breath, then felt overcome by a splitting headache. Rolling her eyes, the female hunter picked up her hand mirror and saw the visage of Queen Hilda.
"Well did you find them yet," she asked.
Lynette nodded. "I am in Naked City where they were last, my queen," she said. "But I see no trace of them."
"Find anyone who may know of them and return to the 4th Kingdom. I have matters that I would like to discuss with you."
Fearful but not wanting to show it, Lynetter nodded. "Yes, my queen." The mirror then went blank.
Lynette looked up to see a building known as the Palace of Beauty. She thought it over, Virginia Wolf did travel with two men. Either one of them, the gnome perhaps, could have solicited some company for the night. The door was wide open so she went inside. She called "hello" several times before she could see that the basement door was open. "Hello?" she called. A man was seated in a bench overlooking an empty glass case. Around him were eleven other empty cases. She called to him again and he stood up. She could see that he was rather tall and had a long blue beard that carried down to his ankles.
"Are you the proprieter of this establishment?" Lynette asked roughly.
"I am and what do you want of me," the man asked.
"I am looking for three strangers, a woman with long brown hair and blue eyes, her husband a half-wolf with dark hair and yellow eyes, and their companion a gnome he could take many forms but last I saw of him he had long yellow hair."
At the woman's description the man's eyes narrowed further and further and his face became almost red with fury. Lynette knew she had found the right man!
"Yes I do know of them," he said savagely. "They took my Exotic Beauty away from me!"
Lynette smiled thinly. "How would you like me to help you get her back?" she asked.
Bluebeard's eyes widened at the offer. "What would I have to do?"
Lynette shrugged. "Come with me to the 4th Kingdom, I am sure you can find those who would help you." Bluebeard smiled wickedly and followed the young attractive woman out the door.
The river seemed to grab at Wendell and pull him down. He tried to hold onto the rocks but the current kept pushing him along. He was never a very fast swimmer and in a rocky rapids such as these it was almost impossible to maintain anything resembling balance. For Wendell it was just a struggle to keep his head above water, but every time he tried to move his head up the waves would crash into him and fill his nose and mouth forcing him back under again! Wendell felt with each struggle of the waves it was useless to hold on. He felt a large gust of water through him face first into the water and felt his strength leave him. So this is what it's like to die. Funny not at all like I expected, he thought. The water pushed him even further under as he thought of his friends Virginia, Wolf, Antony and those new people Merlin, Nimue, and Frick, and his people. Would they be all right without him? How would they learn of his death? He felt a vision of someone's arm grabbing him forcefully out of the water and force him from the waves and that was the last thing he felt before he completely gave into blackness.
The first thing Wendell felt when he awoke were soft hands gently placed upon his face. "It's allright," a soft female voice said gently. It was a voice that was instantely pleasant to listen too almost girlish. Wendell opened his eyes slowly to see a young woman looking back at him. She looked about his age to a few years younger. She had golden hair tied into a long loose braid and wore a white dress. She looked at him with large kind blue eyes and a small winsome face.
"Is he dead can we eat him?" a sharp tongued female voice asked in a sarcastic tone.
"Behave yourself, Cora," the woman turned to the direction of the speaker but then turned back to the invalid king. "Welcome back, for a moment I thought that we had lost you."
"I hope that I am not dead, but if this is a dream I hope that I do not wake up," Wendell said weakly.
The woman laughed at the compliment. "How long have I been asleep?" Wendell asked.
"Two days," the woman responded. Wendell started uncomfortably. He was prepared to hear a few hours, or even several, but two whole days? What was going on here had this woman drugged him?
As if reading his mind, the young woman spoke in a reassuring voice. "My lady-in-waiting Cora found you and your companion washed up along the shore. She and a hunting party carried you back to the palace, you two were almost dead."
Wendell regained enough strength to sit up and look around the room. It was beautifully furnished with older antiques. White curtains, furniture, and bedclothes were prevelant. A baby grand piano sat on one side of the room. Oil paintings filled the walls. One in particular caught Wendell's eye. It was of a woman who looked almost exactely like the woman who was speaking to him dressed in a long violet evening gown and draped in a red robe wearing a gold crown.
Another woman stood by the doorway, one foot propped against the open door and standing on the other. Wendell assumed she was the one that the other woman called "Cora." That name sounded vaguely familiar to Wendell, but he couldn't quite place where. Cora had short neck length dark hair tied in a tight French braid down her back and was dressed in a white pirate blouse and dark riding trousers. A sword hung expertly at her side and she looked at Wendell with mistrust and apprehension.
"Well I must thank you both for rescuing me and sending me here," Wendell said. "If only I knew where "here" was."
The blond woman laughed again. "You are in the Second Kingdom."
Wendell sighed with relief. The Second Kingdom! What a stroke of luck, but Wendell knew more than likely it was not luck. He offered a silent thanks to his late grandmother, Snow White before he spoke again looking around "Where is Mordred?" he asked.
"Mordred, is that the other man you were with?" the woman asked. "He is asleep in the next room. In fact," she turned to her lady-in-waiting. "Cora, if Mordred is awake why don't you tell him that King Wendell has awaken."
Cora looked extremely reluctant, but then sauntered off to follow her mistress' orders.
Wendell could not shake the vague feeling of apprehension he felt about this woman. "You know who I am then?"
The woman nodded. "Father attended your coronation three years ago. I wanted to come as well, but at the time Father would not let me go anywhere outside the palace grounds."
Wendell nodded. So this woman was Royalty, just as he suspected. He rubbed his chin in an almost teasing manner. "Second Kingdom, I know you are not Red Riding Hood III, since I have seen her many times more times than I would care to see her. So you must be either Hildegarde, Gretel the Great's grandaughter or Leda, the Goose Princess' grandaughter."
The woman smiled. "I am Leda. I'm surprised you know me. Our part of the kingdom is not nearly as vast as the other two's." Wendell smiled. He liked this woman.
He looked at the closed door, that's why the name Cora sounded so familiar! "Hmm, Cora, Cora isn't that the same name as the lady-in-waiting who briefly impersonated your grandmother and made her serve as a goose girl?"
Leda nodded. "The very same, our Cora is that Cora's granddaughter."
Wendell was amazed. "You mean you have the relative of one of your family's worst enemies working for you? Don't you worry about what she could do to you?"
Leda shook her head as if the idea would be inconceivable. "No I learned a long time ago that Cora is not her grandmother."
"How?" Wendell asked.
"I'll tell you sometime," Leda said. "For now you probably need your rest. If you are hungry dinner will be ready at 7 precisely if you are hungry."
Wendell grinned. "Well there is something I need to ask you while I'm here, I guess I could stay for supper," he said but then looked down and felt embarrassed. "I am very suddenly aware that I am dressed in nothing but a nightshirt." He blushed as Leda gently handed him his clothes making sure that she turned away and left the room before things got improper.
Cora walked into the other bedroom. It was dark and still. She could see the body of the man laying down in the bed. His breathing was still as though he were asleep, but his straight body showed that he was only feigning sleep. Cora drew her sword and pointed it at the man's neck. "If you so much as touch any of your weapons while I am in here I will personally remove your head," she threatened.
Mordred moved to face the young woman. She was rather pretty in a haughty annoying sort of way. "Well I never thought that any hired assasins would be so lovely, but I am willing to make an exception," he said.
Cora rolled her eyes. "Save your breath. I am only here to inform you that the king has awakened as well. Now your companion I know is King Wendell, but from what I heard the 4th Kingdom has been under attack and the king is missing, but what I cannot figure out is who you are and whether you had anything to do with it."
"My name is Mordred and I am traveling with him not entirely on my own free will," he said. "And that is all you need to know from me and who might you be?"
"My name is Cora and you are in the Second Kingdom and that is all you need to know from me," Cora repeated she was about to leave when she turned back to face him. "Oh and should you want to eat dinner will be ready at 7 as usual."
"Wonderful," Mordred said sarcastically, the then realized that he was undressed! "Hey, where are my clothes?" But he sat back down a seductive leer on his face. "Never mind then I'm sure you and I could get comfortable."
Furious, Cora took his clothes from the wardrobe and threw them on him. She took mild delight in the slight grunt of pain he had as they landed on him. He reached for his shirt and was about to put it on when he realized that Cora was still there watching him. He leered and gave a mock bow. Cora blushed furiously and ran out the door slamming it shut behind her.
Cora and Leda sat across from each other at the dinner table discussing their new visitors, when the door opened and Wendell walked in fully dressed. "Good evening ladies," he said.
"Good evening your majesty," Leda replied.
"Please, you may call me Wendell," Wendell invited.
"Alright and you may call me Leda," Leda said. The two stared at each other for a long time so much that Cora had to roll her eyes.
" You may call me bored," Cora muttered under her breath and cleared her throat breaking the two out of their trance.
Mordred walked downstairs to the dining room. He nodded at Leda and at Cora, particularly at Cora who pretended to turn away and not aknowledge his nod. Then he looked over at Wendell.
"Good to see you are awake," Wendell said in a robotic nonchalant tone.
"Yes well you too," Mordred said just as robotic. The women looked at each other, they could tell there was some sort of friction between the two men.
Leda clapped her hands and ordered one of her servants to serve food to the new guests. "Thank you," Wendell said. The four ate for a bit in silence, until Wendell broke the quiet. "Ladies, actually it is very fortutious that we are here in your kingdom, because we were sent here to the Second Kingdom to meet someone. Do you two know of a woman called Baba Yagga?" Leda and Cora looked at each other terror blanched on their faces. "We need to speak to her."
Leda and Cora exchanged frightened glances, but Leda finally spoke for them. "Yes I know of Baba Yagga, she is a terrible woman, a witch who lives in the Black Forest. That's right outside of my kingdom in fact, but I would advise you not to go there under any circumstances."
"But we must," Wendell said desperately.
Mordred smiled. "Now I'm sure it might be rough on you girls, but I can assure you that us men can handle it."
Cora shook her head and turned to Wendell. "No it isn't like that. Your Majesty, please I agree with Leda. You should not go in there. Many have often gone into the Black Forest, but hardly anyone has come out. Those that have either die shortly afterwards, or come out stark raving madmen! Not to mention Baba Yagga herself. Anyone who goes into that forest is sure to die or turn mad!" She then turned to Mordred. "Sir Mordred, enjoy your trip!"
Wendell turned to Leda. "Yes, I'm sure there are dangers but we, or rather I have to go in there. It's for my people."
Leda looked from her lady in waiting who continued to shake her head, and then back to the king. "Well, allright, I can help you. In fact I really can help you! I do not know where exactely in the Black Forest Baba Yagga is. Rumours and stories mostly, but I know someone who more than likely would. He is very wise and he advises me on many matters. Would you care to meet him?" Wendell stood up and offered his arm to which Leda held it by the shoulder.
"It would be my pleasure to have you help me," he said and the two of them left the room leaving Mordred and Cora glaring at each other, but then returning back to their food.
Wendell and Leda stood outside in a field as Leda reached into her pocket and pulled out a small gold disc. She opened it and pulled out a white gossamer handkerchief.
"Is that your grandmother's handkerchief?" Wendell asked. "The one that protected her from harm?"
Leda nodded. "It is a family heirloom it has been around for three generations." She then held it in her hand and whistled a strange low whistle into it and then spoke. "Falada, faithful Falada come to your golden princess' aid!" Just then a beautiful white horse galloped out of the field approaching the king and princess. Wendell gasped it was the most beautiful whitest horse he had ever seen! He had to look twice to make sure he wasn't actually a unicorn. The horse stood next to Wendell and Leda.
"King Wendell this is Falada, my horse," she said. "Our family's horse."
Wendell nodded feeling a little silly talking to a horse, but he complied. "How do you do um Falada." He turned to Leda. "I thought he was mounted on a wall."
Leda smiled. "He was but my mother found someone to restore him so he can come whenever he was called."
The horse spoke in a high clear voice:
"Heir to Snow White has lost his throne
To avenging enemies who have taken his home."
Wendell nodded. So this horse was magic, he understood. "Yes and Leda, your mistress told me that you can help me find the witch Baba Yagga." He turned to Leda. "He doesn't expect me to ask only in rhyme does he?"
Leda gave him a strange look as if that question was absurd. "No it's allright."
Falada gave a neighing sound which Wendell hoped meant a positive answer.
"What you seek and what you have seen
Shall be found within the greens
Center of the forest black as night
Shall be a house within sight
Three riders shall surround the home
That balances on a large chicken bone."
Wendell glanced at Leda. He was not sure whether this advice was helpful or not, but he decided to give it a shot. "Thank you Falada," Leda said. "You may stay around the grounds if you like." Falada nodded and galloped through the grounds and a little closer to the palace. Wendell and Leda followed him into the palace grounds into a lovely garden. There were all kinds of flowers many of which Wendell didn't even know their names, growing and a little fountain spilled across the grounds into a small creek. A birdbath sat in the center as three robins and a bluebird drank their fill. Everywhere there was a fragrant lovely scent. "What do you think?" Leda asked.
"It's lovely," Wendell said picking one of the flowers and shyly handing it to the princess. "Did you do this?"
Leda nodded modestly. " Yes I told you my father used to order me to stay around the grounds. Well I had to have something to occupy my time. In fact until I met Cora I did not have any close friends." Falada snorted in defiance and Leda corrected herself. "With one exception of course." At the mention of the lady in waiting's name, Wendell turned to the house warily. "Is something the matter?" Leda asked.
"Yes I do hope your lady-in-waiting is safe with Mordred," Wendell said.
Leda grinned slyly. "Knowing Cora as I do, I more of wonder if your friend is safe with her."
"You do trust her," Wendell asked confused.
Leda shrugged. "Of course I do, why would I not?"
"But she is your family's enemy, I would watch my back if I were you," Wendell reminded her.
Leda stared incredulously. "She could never hurt me. Let me tell you something about Cora. When her grandmother's crimes were discovered, the king appeared before her and said 'What would be the most fitting punishment for a pretender to the royal house?' Not realizing that she was being set up, she responded 'She would deserve no less than to be flung from the highest tower by the servants.' The king then said 'You have pronounced your own fate' and they were just about to do it when my grandmother intervened on her behalf. She said that she could not bear to see anyone get hurt, least of all a woman who had served her faithfully, she thought, for years. So the king ordered her instead to be banished from the kingdom never to return. Well that Cora left and eventually married a huntsman. They then had a son who they had raised to seek vengeance upon our family, but they died before the boy could carry it out. He grew and married a gypsy woman and they eventually had our Cora. In the meantime my grandmother gave birth to my father. They told him the story of our grandmothers and Father became very afraid. When I was born he was afraid that they would try to kidnap or kill me, so he became very protective of me. He kept me on the grounds, I was not to leave the palace without an escort and was ordered never to speak to any strangers. I may have resented it, but he had good intentions he was very worried for me.
Meanwhile Cora's parents raised her to shoot, ride, and fight as well as any man. Since her mother was a gypsy she was raised to learn a little magic. They raised her to one day meet and kill me. When she came of age, she sought work in our palace making up a story about how she was an orphan and had no family. My father hired her as my lady-in-waiting. She was a wonderful servant and became a wonderful friend, I thought. She would sometimes take me outside the grounds and I saw this wonderful world that I never had seen before and I like to think maybe I taught her a few things as well. We were very close until one night when we were both sixteen. She led me out of the palace and into the woods. Then suddenly, she pulled me to a tree and held up her crossbow. I was so afraid that she would kill me! I began crying begging her to release me, asking how could she when we were friends. Then I saw her hand shake and she took down the bow. Her father appeared on a horse and grabbed me. He threw me into their closet. I was never so terrified in my life! Eventually my father's guards found me and rescued me. Sadly, Cora's parents were killed in the fight and she was arrested. My father wanted to have her executed, and like my grandmother I pleaded on her behalf. She was grateful and I kept her as my lady-in-waiting. She has been with me ever since."
"And you forgave her?" Wendell asked.
Leda smiled. "She had a perfect oppurtunity to kill me. No one was around, no one would have seen her and maybe even would not have found me and she didn't do it. She would not do it. Of course I forgave her, she never knew me. She was brought up to hate me without knowing who I was and I was brought up to fear her without knowing who she was." Wendell shook his head and seemed unconvinced. Leda could tell that Wendell was not really thinking of Cora but something else, or rather someone else. "How did you get out of the river?" She asked.
Wendell was surprised at the sudden and abrupt change of subject. "You told me so yourself, Cora found us."
The princess shook her head. "No that is how you got from the shore to the palace. How did you get out of the river?"
Wendell's eyes narrowed and he tried to recall. He hadn't thought of that. He looked over at the garden. "Would you like to show me around this lovely place. I would be interested in a tour from the expert?"
Leda smiled obliging. "It would be my pleasure," she replied.
The creature came within the night blending into the shadows. He could not be seen or heard. He barely spoke when he did his job, but sometimes the more observant knew he was there.They could barely make him out in the darkness or just felt his presence. Sometimes even saw his two yellow eyes staring at them seeing all he could see. He did not usually attack, it was not in his nature he was more of an observer, but for his beloved Queen Mab, he would make an exception. After all he was no traitor like other creatures, he could name. Shadow kept his eyes on the palace he could see the courtyard wide open. King Wendell had just retired with the young blond woman and walked back inside. Shadow was about to advance closer but the door closed before he could reach.
The Dark Sidhe cursed under his breath, but then he glanced over to the outside hallway of the courtyard. Maybe eventually the king would find his way there. He looked closely, he didn't have to look very long for someone approached. The figure walked into the hallway and drew his sword from his scabbard and began to practice fighting. He lunged at his invisible enemies. Shadow flew closer to the hallway to keep a closer look.From the distance he could see fine, but he wanted to be sure that what he saw was true. The young man was familiar, dark hair tangled to his shoulders, cold blue eyes, a sardonic swagger, a dark demenour. No, it couldn't be. He was dead surely? Mortals no mortals live that long, do they? He heard the news he had to be dead. But if he lived again, what was he doing here? What would be done with him? He had to report this latest development to the Queen. Ignoring his pursuit of King Wendell he left to tell Mab his discovery!
Mordred continued to practice his fencing through the courtyard. It was empty, but he pretended that he was facing his enemies. He attacked them full force as he would any other. He lunged practically danced through the courtyard until he came upon the hall overlooking the garden. A white horse was eating the grass in the garden looking up as Mordred approached. The horse stamped and looked at the young former knight seemed to look through him. He spoke:
"Son of the Dragon murderer of the king
Must face his demons to avoid becoming."
Makes perfect sense, Mordred thought sarcastically. He was about to raise his sword again when another sword clashed against it. This sword belonged to Cora. "Care to practice against a real threat?" she asked.
"Sure do you know of any?" Mordred said sarcastically.
Cora then held her sword and clashed it against Mordred's. "I think I can manage."
Their swords banged against each other as they fought one another. Cora lunged her sword and Mordred swerved to avoid it. "Do you always meet men this way?" he asked.
"Now you know why I'm alone," Cora said swerving to avoid his attack and attacking straight back.
"Is there any particular reason why I have the pleasure of your company just now as well as your talents," Mordred asked as she perried his next move. "Or probable lack thereof?" He blocked her attack and forced her to the ground.
Cora leaped on to one of the benches as their swords clashed practically sang as they hit against each other. "I saw you standing out here practicing fighting and was curious or rather concerned over what you might do."
"Most people are," Mordred answered leaping up on the same bench as Cora leaped down and then jumped down as the two battled. "If you must know I was practicing my skill in case they will be needed tomorrow when Wendell and I go to meet your friend."
"Which reminds me where are you from?" Cora asked. "I know that you are not from the 4th Kingdom, somehow I don't think you are from any of the 9. Perhaps from the 10th that everyone is raving about."
"Something like that," Mordred said. The two attacked once more fighting against each other proving an equal match, though Mordred was slightly better than she was. "Consider me a man of mystery." He leveled the sword at her.
"More like of mediocrity," Cora teased as she pushed the sword away from him with her sword forcing her body up. The two lunged and thrusted their swords at each other faster and harder, half in a game and half behaving as though they were in front of a real enemy. Cora held Mordred at swordpoint and lay on top of him. "Looks like I have the better of you," she said.
"Not quite," Mordred said and then knocked the sword from her hand and rolled both of them over. She kicked him off of her and scooted on the ground to get away from him.
"If I thought you were coming to assasinate Leda, you would have been dead by now," She warned.
"And miss this?" Mordred said. "Not for the worlds. She means that much to you does she?" he asked.
Cora nodded. "She is like a sister to me, yes she means that much to me."
"Yes well your loyalty could get you killed," Mordred said softly approaching her.
"I could say the same for you and your lack of loyalty," She said as she pulled closer to him. The two of them picked up their swords and were about to duel once again but they looked long at each other. They leaned closer together and kissed passionately almost hungry. "Looks like it was a draw." Mordred said as the two kissed even more.
Wendell walked down the hall through the bedrooms fully dressed it was early morning and he and Mordred were going to set out to Baba Yagga's house in the Black Forest. Wendell knocked on the room which Mordred was sleeping. "Mordred, wake up. We are leaving," he said. But there was no answer. He knocked once more and could hear faint whispers, Mordred's and someone else's sounded like a woman's? Wendell could see the door was unlocked so he opened it softly. Mordred and Cora were sitting up on the bed kissing. They were dressed but, Wendell harboured no illusions as to what they had been doing. They pulled away upon the king's entrance. They did not look embarrassed just relaxed. "Did I interrupt anything?" Wendell asked lightly.
"As a matter of fact you did," Mordred said. "What is it?"
"We are preparing to leave. We will be heading to the Black Forest. Leda will lead us to the edge," Wendell replied.
"I guess I will go too then," Cora said. She smiled at Mordred who smiled back. He hadn't been with a woman in a long time and this was the first time a woman had willingly given herself to him. Also, last night was the first night that he had no nightmares about the Underworld. He wasn't sure what he felt but he knew he wanted to see her again. Cora left the room closing the door behind her.
Mordred, Wendell, Cora, and Leda rode up to the edge of the Black Forest. Trees gnarled in front of the top, so tight and thick that the woods inside looked like night. Wind whistled angrily through the trees. Wendell shuddered he could see how the forest got its name. He looked over at Mordred and gave silent thanks that he looked just as nervous as he did. "I guess we had better go in then," Wendell said to Mordred who nodded unsure.
"Just a minute," Leda said. "There is something I want to give to you." She pulled him aside and put something in his hand. He looked down to see the gossamer handkerchief. "It will protect you from harm."
Wendell smiled. "Thank you, Leda but I cannot accept this." He put it back into her hand.
She put the handkerchief back into his. "Take it, you need it more than I would. It may provide protection against whatever is in there."
"I will return it, I promise," Wendell said.
"You had better," she teased. "You two may also have two of my horses. I would give you Falada, but he only lets me ride him and no one else. He is stubborn that way." The horse snorted in protest and neighed.
"I will return, I promise," Wendell said. He leaned over and kissed the young princess.
Mordred and Cora looked at each other. "Good luck and be careful," she said. " I mean it. We still haven't finished our battle yet."
Mordred caught the sarcasm in the young woman's voice. "That is one I am looking forward to." They pulled together and kissed passionately. They continued to kiss until Wendell had to clear his throat.
"We must be off," he said. Mordred mounted his horse, and they waved goodbye, and the two rode off into the woods until the women could not be seen through the trees.