Hello, hello, hello! Well, it's the next instalment of Price of a Kingdom. Thank you for keeping up with me you wonderful, wonderful people. Special thanks to Nerw20, you will eventually get your wish but it may well take a while to get there! Ready for the next bit?

Chapter Ten

After all the pomp and circumstance that, by now, the people of Camelot had down to a fine art Morgana was glad to be in the relative sanctity of the open road. The fresh night air and the delicate scents of the forest coupled with the restful silence that came from being far away from the hustle and bustle of a city was a more than welcome tonic for the weary queen. The post-tournament feasting had gone on on throughout the night until the light of a new day had begun its slow ascent in the sky. Thankfully most of the crowd had begun to take their leave as soon as politeness decreed, allowing them a head-start on their long journeys home and giving Morgana the excuse of an early night. In truth, she had left the city unheralded, happy to afford herself a little solitude. She had told only the maid Aelwyd that she was going though, instructing her to tell any who may be looking for her that she was ill and could not receive visitors. She could have sworn she saw a brief expression of disappointment cross the young girl's face at the idea of being left behind but she wanted to be alone. The Isle of Avalon was not a place she wished to share with the curious eyes of her servants.

It was only in the rare quiet moments like this that Morgana allowed herself to absorb the true power of magic, the simple energy that moved within the Earth; the Great Mother.

She smiled, remembering the many hours that Morgause had spent taking her out into the woods that surrounded their beautiful castle, painstakingly drilling into her sister's head the thanks that must always be given to the Goddess;

"All around you here you can see rocks, water, plants, the creatures of the forest. Casting spells and brewing potions perhaps may be the 'glamorous' side of magic, sister but never forget that it is here, within nature that the source of our power truly exists; the energy that flows through the very Earth itself. We must be careful never to take her for granted for as she gives she is also free to take. We must never forget, we are but mere mortals."

But there were compensations. Going out into woods brought its own reward; after every "class" she would receive another type of tuition, a practical assessment if you like, in passion. The memory of those long sun-drenched afternoons made Morgana's smile turn into a classic smirk of delight.

She thought of Morgause's skills with herb craft and medicine. It was this very discipline to which she owed her own life; in those dark days after being poisoned by that idiot Merlin, when her sister had cared for her, breathing the very life back into her body. She remembered lying in the great chamber that would become her own bedroom, sometimes sleeping, sometimes not but always waited on hand and foot by the sorceress herself. In fact, Morgause had barely left her side at all. Now the road on which Morgana's horse's hooves rattled was leading her to that place where Morgause could still be found; in the hollows where the blonde sorceress had played as a child between lessons, the shore where she would greet their mother on her rare and secret visits and the rooms where she had slept and learned the arts of the priestesses. From her sister the unparalleled beauty and power of Avalon had radiated in a tremendous tide that swept up all those around into a daze of wonderment.

The early morning mist had begun to burn off as the sun climbed higher through the clouds. The young queen had been travelling for a few hours and decided the horse could do with a rest. What that really meant, of course, was that she needed a rest. The pair drew up next to a small spring, its water trickled cool and clear from a small stone edifice. Tying the white mare's reigns to a nearby tree stump she found a comfortable spot beside, the shade the horse provided offered relief from the glaring sun. Closing her eyes she allowed her mind to drift.

She only woke again when the white mare gave a grunt and a kick at her side, judging by the height of the sun it must have been midday. She had not intended to fall asleep! Now running behind time with still yet half a day's ride ahead of her she stretched her tired limbs and eased herself up. The gash in her thigh still throbbed but she could not give-in, she had to ride on.

The longer she rode, the farther away Avalon seemed to be and the more agitated she became. The more agitated she became the less she thought of her sister and the more her thoughts turned to Arthur. How dare he...how dare he? She forced herself to calm down at a corresponding clap of thunder above. But honestly, she continued, thinking he could come to Camelot...My Camelot to compete under my very nose! Then to bring that servant, that...that...that Merlin along with him! The thought filled her with utter disdain. Poaching warriors from my tourney, indeed.

Still, her own interests had not turned to complete failure. She had found one or two worthy fighters, diamonds in the rough you might say. One in particular named 'Bedivere'. Such an honest face...

She would knight him on her return, whenever that was.

It was nightfall before Avalon came into view, the Lake glistening with silver ribbons under the moonlight, the Lady, herself, round and full in a cloudless sky. Any magic performed this night would possess double its normal potency. She summoned the narrow boat that would take her to just the middle of the Lake, there to speak the words that only the sworn priestesses knew. The words that would make the Isle of the Avalon shimmer to life before her eyes. Morgana stared in amazement as she always did when her...home...came into view with its little buildings casting out a warm and welcoming glow to those who knew how to find them. It seemed strange to think that any passers-by would see only the Lake and not the vast chain of islands that now filled her vision. Even now it still felt secret and special.

Even as late as it was Isilda and little Alastrine were still there to greet her when Morgana's boat up and grazed the shingled shore, moving towards her with arms outstretched. Isilda was the first to speak up;

"Morgana, how wonderful to have you back with us. I hear you have been busy back in Camelot." At Morgana's expression of surprise Isilda gave a knowing look, "as you see my dear, word of your success has even reached our pleasant little back water".

Alastrine gave a small bob to her former mistress. Through later conversations Morgana discovered that the young woman had carved out quite a life for herself on Avalon and was well loved among the priestesses. Apparently the idea had been muted that she should perhaps consider taking the priestess training herself.

"Evening My Lady, so good to see you again. You have been much missed." The faint blush that coloured the girl's cheeks did not go entirely unnoticed by either priestess.

Isilda turned and announced that the Lady of Avalon would probably wish to retire for the evening and should not be detained any further by the fussing and fawning of an old maid and a young girl though it was said with kindly smile.

So Morgana's horse was led to the stables by one of the young priestesses in-training who had been in attendance somewhere in the background during the exchange and Morgana strolled the short path to her own dwelling, the house of the High-Priestess. What hit her first on opening the door was the fresh scent of magic. The clean smell of the herbs that grew just outside the window and the light smoke of a wood fire burning under the mantle. Too tired to deal with her things now, she dropped the few items she had with her on the floor by the grate and made her way to the rear of the small house. It was the sight of the bed that stopped her and brought a tear to her eye. When Morgause had brought her to Avalon for one brief visit she had then brought her to this bed and the where the two of them made love until dawn had made its presence felt in the lightening of the sky. After shedding her travelling clothes she slipped under the thick, heavy blankets, hugging them tightly to her. Tomorrow would be a new day and hopefully Isilda would have some wise words to help her in this new dilemma. The troubles brought to her by Arthur and this Cadeyrn had settled a weight upon her chest that she knew would not be eased any-time soon but perhaps, for the moment, it was enough to shut her eyes and inhale the scent of a blonde sorceress that pervaded the cloth of her blanket still.

I know this was a slightly shorter chapter but this was kind of one of those in-between chapters to get on to the main event. Anyway, let me know what you think guys,

To be continued...