A Destiny Revealed

This is the sequel to 'A Legend Changes', it continues from where the first book finishes yet skips between more than the two main characters. Before you read this, if you haven't already, I suggest reading the first novel otherwise it may be difficult to understand what is going on in some chapters or scenes.

There are many things that will be happening all at once during this sequel and I hope that my reader's can try to understand what is going on in any one scene. I will try to keep the chapters around the same length as the first book but it will be difficult to get out of my habit to write short chapters at the moment. I hope it is as good as the first book. Please comment as to what you think so far.

Chapter One: Journey’s Start (Delrand’s PoV)

            There were things that definitely had to be done before we went on our mission and that was to inform her father and knights. It was no easy task, I knew that deep down but no matter what the situation, they needed to know. I didn’t want to have to do this but I had no choice; though with my friends by my side I knew the others would have to believe I wouldn’t give up on finding her.

            Storming into the Table Hall, Harrod, Justin, Oscar and I made our way over to the king and the knights sat around in what seemed a content atmosphere. Knowing I could not just call out what had happened, I tactfully walked over to lean down and talk as calmly as possible into the king’s ear. ‘Your majesty, Elara has been taken,’ I spoke though shaking as much as I was.

            Jolting his head round, his eyes snapped sharply on my vision and he stood up with an air of complete regalness that it stunned me to see a rage inside him. ‘How did this happen?’ he asked and loud enough so everyone could hear.

            Taking a step back, I replied. ‘Mordred. We went for a flight and after attacking me, he kidnapped her. There was nothing I could have done,’ I regretfully admitted.

            ‘What?! You swore you’d protect her!’ This shouting was now coming from a few seats away, where Lancelot now stood; his fists pressed hard onto the table and fury spread across his face. ‘This is not acceptable. How could you have been so foolish?’ I let him stand there and insult me; after all, the last thing we really needed was to be arguing amongst ourselves when someone with so much importance was missing. ‘What do you plan on doing to get her back?’ he asked aloud after a further minute of accusations and insults.

            I folded my arms and stared harsh and strongly at him until he had finished then turned to face the rest of the table. ‘This is clearly a situation that only magic can solve; though it would be better if we can all contribute. I suggest you knights prepare yourselves and search as much of the land as you can to see if you can discover anything; meanwhile my friends and I will do as much as we can in searching the more secret regions of the land. That includes the places you cannot reach or enter.’ I ceased there and saw the expressions on their faces; some were enraged, others were pale or grey with what seemed to be sickening thoughts.

            Suddenly, I felt the king turn to me and took a pace back with a bowed head. ‘This will take more than magic to solve and I personally will help with the search.’

            At that, I shot my head up and my eyes widened with shock at him saying this. ‘I do not think that is the best idea, your majesty. To leave Camelot completely unprotected will just worsen the matter...’

            He interrupted me with a raised hand. ‘I will not be told what to do, especially by you when it comes to the safety of my own daughter and only heir. We shall leave as soon as possible, while you start with your own plans.’

            I nodded my head. ‘Very well. We will keep in touch as often as possible.’ And with that, I turned around and walked with my three colleagues towards the oak doors (it was only etiquette not to magic ourselves out of there).

            Horses saddled and plans beginning to unfold, it was surprising me more and more that things could escalate so quickly yet everyone seemed so quiet and self-focused. It appeared that everyone wanted to mentally convince themselves that they had responsibilities that they would never again experience.

            ‘Delrand!’ I heard Lancelot’s voice call out to me across the yard outside the stables.

            I turned to him without catching his eyes with mine. ‘Lancelot?’

            ‘Since you and I both care for Elara, in the same way, I suggest that I should accompany you on your half of this quest.

            The hushed silence that followed this around the enclosed area was thick and heavy and filled with tension. No one moved or whispered to those standing nearby.

            Before I spoke, I speculated carefully as to the consequences that could arise if he did join us. Only then, looking at my friends, that it would be more of an assurance that he did join us; after all we could (as a four) protect ourselves by means of magic more from any physical attacks and having a well trained, experienced man in the arts of armed combat was a comfort to have along the way. The only problem with this was travelling and I would not be the one to have to magic him with us.

            With a subtle cough, I looked him in the eyes with content. ‘Very well, Sir Lancelot. You may join us, but I must warn you that you will come across things that you have never even dreamed of before. And that there will be situations in which you will not be able to help,’ I conveyed to him, though not to put him off the idea.

            He nodded and looked around. ‘I understand, but I made an oath to protect the royal line and I am not about to let you out of my sight while Elara is missing.’ There was no threat in his words yet for a few seconds we both acknowledged the delicacy of the situation and that he meant his word.

            Letting him settle into his saddle, as myself and my friends followed suit, I turned to Oscar (who seemed the more willing) and requested he be in charge of transporting Lancelot with us wherever we go. At first he seemed reluctant from the extra effort needed to transport an extra human and horse but, with a little reassurance from me, he eventually agreed.

            Just then, Arthur caught my attention as he mounted his war horse and I decided to trot over to sort one final plan. ‘Your majesty, this will be the last time for awhile that we meet and even then I am not sure if you will see me ever again but know this: I will not stop looking until I know that Elara is safe once again within Camelot’s walls.’ And with an understanding nod, he kicked his steed gently and turned to lead his knights towards the city gates.

            As I turned Volareus around, I saw how my companions were seated in their saddles; heads heavily hung on their necks and their shoulders hunched forwards in a protective gesture, while their hands gripped tightly in their reins. Only Lancelot seemed the more raring and eager of them to be getting started on our journey.

            ‘Well,’ I began. ‘Our journey starts now.’ And with a final nod from me, we disappeared from the courtyard and out of view from any onlookers from the many windows of the walls that encompassed the area.

*****

Elara’s PoV

            The last thing I remembered was flapping my wings through the chilly night air and then hearing screeching below me from Delrand and some other strange bird of prey. I had hovered for a few seconds before a stream of lightning struck me from below and everything turned to white light around me. That was the last thing I could remember.

            Stirring my body awake, I fluttered my eyes as my mind opened up from its secluded state. All was concealed in pitch black and I couldn’t make out the shapes of anything around me. I could only assume from the whistling of the wind that I was inside some stone building and somehow, as I pushed myself off the floor, I had transformed unwillingly to my human state.

            Still unable to see, I felt my hands around my back and crawled in some crude direction until I felt a wall; it was indeed made of stone bricks similarly as the floor consisted of stone slabs (I could feel the edges of them under my fingertips). I reached up the wall as I stood up and pressed my forehead and chest to the cooling blocks. With no idea of where I was or what had happened, I relaxed my thoughts and focused as hard as I could on the images I had of Delrand deep inside my memories. It wasn’t difficult to summon them but when I tried calling out with my mind, I was hit by a solid wall of magic that not only seemed to entrap my mind but also the cell in which I was in.

            My heart racing to a panic state, I let my body tremble where I stood; however, I did not allow my body’s reactions to my situation seep into my thoughts and make me lose my sanity. Taking the deepest breaths of the cold air about me seemed to help although my arms still shook as I pressed them to the wall.

            The worst thing about being here, knowing who my keeper was, was not knowing what would happen to me. After everything Delrand had told me of Mordred when I first heard of him, I wasn’t convinced that I would remain unharmed. I expected to either be tortured or killed, or even worse tortured then killed. Summoning as much strength as I could, I told myself over and over in my head that I would never give in or tell him anything to do of Camelot or my lover.

            Time was one thing I wished I could sense; unable to use magic, I could not turn my vision to the outside world and so predict what time of day it was. There were no windows to this room, or so I presumed as I could see no stars or night amongst the blackness. With no reference to time, I had no idea how long I had remained in this prison nor did I know how long I had remained unconscious for. I refused to move from my position in case I tripped over a stool or bumped into a table but I did want to at least find a door handle or some sort of exit to this room. The only reason why there would be no door is if this room was part of a building that had none and only those with magical abilities could enter or leave.

            Finally getting tired of the lack of light, I attempted to create an orb of it; even if it was only small and then I could maybe see where to place my feet. I only expected it not to work after my mental calling was blocked. Taking in a really deep breath, I called on my magic and focused on an orb of light appearing in my hand (though floating off my palm). Suddenly, a greenish flickering light pervaded through my eyelids. As I opened them slowly, I noticed that my attempt was successful as a small glowing emerald orb floated in my hand, only about the size of my fist.

            A smile seeped onto my lips as I moved it into the air above me; its light rained down on the room and I could finally see where to walk. There was no table or stools as I thought there would be so I could only sit on the floor when my legs were tired. There was still a wall of darkness in front of me past the light of my magic where it couldn’t reach. As I stepped forward, I focused on moving the orb with me so its light exposed more of the room.

            I continued forward, step by step, I came across the rest of the wall and only then noticed that it was a circular room. A couple more paces and the light revealed a thick oak door, the planks of wood held together by cast iron bars and nails. Examining it more closely, I took in how strong but old the hinges appeared yet I knew, though aged, they would be impossible to break even with magic as an aid.

            The sudden tapping of shoes on stone echoed through the air and I gasped sharply while I paced backwards to the wall behind me. Distinguishing my orbed light, I let my eyes settle on the darkness once more only for them to be stabbed by a harsh yellow light that seeped into the room as the door was creaked open. Turning my head and slamming my eyelids shut, I raised my hands in front of my face to remove as much of the light falling onto my face. I gritted my teeth until my eyes had adjusted to the brightness.

            Fluttering my eyelids, I shook my head and looked up to make sure my eyes no longer hurt; they didn’t. Only then did I notice the shadowed outline of my captor. Narrowing my eyes, I tried summoning a lightning strike similar to that which had struck me unconscious. It didn’t work.

            His menacing chuckling pervaded the air and I gritted my teeth more whilst fisting my hands by my sides. My lips curled in rage as I stared at him beyond the space. ‘What do you want with me?’ I asked.

            ‘To make you join my side,’ he replied. ‘But for now, I thought maybe you’d be feeling hungry and need a drink. Come with me, unless you’d rather stay in here in the dark?’ he asked.

            I took a moment’s thought and decided it would be best if I could spend some time out of this cell and try to come up with a plan of escaping or maybe defeating him, though that seemed impossible on my own.

            As if he had heard my thoughts, he spoke again. ‘Your magic will not work within these walls, and you might find that neither does mine.’

            I did not believe him. ‘Prove it.’ Though that seemed like a ridiculous request.

            Although, just then, I felt the twisting attempts of someone nearby using magic and I could only guess it was him though nothing happened. ‘There. Now, please come and join me.’

            Reluctant as I was, I had little choice other than to stay here in the gloomy prison room on my own and slowly go mad. So, I stepped closer to him, wary of my steps as he walked back out into the stoned hallway. It appeared that this whole building was made of stone and mortar, except the doors. The only consolation that I had was that he did not know that I could use magic, though it seemed only in my cell when I was locked in; what that meant, I could not figure out, though I planned on coming up with a solution.

            As I followed him through the dingy corridors, I noticed there were no sounds or voices from any other rooms that we passed; though I was not complaining, it was just that I had expected to hear the screams or pleas of other prisoners in here but maybe I was the only one. In any case, I was not about to ask any questions on that matter.

            Mordred slowed as we approached another oak door (they were all of the same fashion and lay flush to their frames). He pushed it open, it was unlocked and he waited for me to walk on into the room. I did so but with a harsh glance at him trying to convey that he does not try anything.

            This room was different to my cell. It was much more open, and there were even windows high up in the walls. Although there was sunlight streaming down through the thick glass, there were wooden torches set in cast iron brackets along the walls to bring more lighting to the room. To my right there was a table and upon it there was set bowls of fruit and platters of meat and my mouth suddenly watered whilst my belly grumbled. The extent of my hunger was some sign of how long I might have been unconscious for.

            Mordred’s body entered my vision from behind me as he went over to sit in one of the two leather cushioned chairs that were at each end of the rustic table. He didn’t speak when he next turned to me, only reached out his hand in a gesture for me to take to the other seat. Lifting my head, I walked over slowly but holding my dignity in my steps as I reached the seat and sat down. I didn’t lower my gaze; I was determined to keep him as much in my vision as was possible whilst I remained in his company.

            Around a minute passed, I could only guess at the time scale; he reached in front of him and took a red apple in his fingers and bit into it whilst holding my gaze. Tilting my head, I watched closely; although he had invited me to join him to eat, my instincts were squirming inside me to the possibility of poison or some sort of serum that might lead to him getting into my head. Although magic, apparently, could not be used within these walls, I was certain that I could still keep my mental guards up.

            ‘You seem deep in thought,’ he pointed out. ‘I assure you that this is safe to eat. Please, help yourself.’

            Hesitantly, I dropped my eyes to look at the meat in front of where I sat. Only being able to take his word without checking for reassurance, I reached out and ripped off the leg of a chicken. I slowly pulled off strips of the meat and slipped them into my mouth. For the first few pieces, I tried to distinguish any unfamiliar tastes to the chicken but there was none to be detected; so I settled myself and ate my way through that leg and a few apples and pears.

            Finishing up, I sat there and looked around the room to further establish any possibilities of getting out of here. Clearly, it would be rather difficult to get out without having to put up some kind of struggle or fight and even then I could not rely on figuring out how to overcome the restraints on my magic. Any minute now, I expected him to get up and lead me through the corridors back to my prison cell and leave me there wondering what to expect next.

            I sat there in agitation and expectation but as the minutes unfolded, I began to wonder whether I was actually going to return to that circular room.

            ‘Tell me,’ Mordred began. ‘What is on your mind?’

            That to me seemed like a trick question; not completely understanding how Mordred’s mind worked, I didn’t know whether I should divulge my thoughts or whether to keep them to myself in case he could use them in some way. In any case, I wondered how he would be able to twist my thoughts or see into them with what I said.

            ‘Wondering whether you are going to lock me away again,’ I finally replied. It was true, ever since I was a little girl I had grown up with the fear of being locked away and not being able to be with my family and friends; not being able to see the world or those I loved. On that thought, my memories turned back onto Delrand but I instantly pushed them away into the recesses of my mind; it was memories like that that were a weakness that anyone could use to hurt me.

            All the while, Mordred just sat there absent-mindedly rolling a grape between his finger and thumb. His eyes, however, kept staring at me from across the table. It was clear to the both of us that this would be a contest of wit and cunning, and maybe even swiftness.

            ‘And what would you say if I said that I am not going to put you back in that cell?’ His question confused me; surely he would want me in one place that I would be no threat to him?

            I did not reply to his question; instead, I remained in my chair and leaned back to gaze up at the ceiling before closing my eyes and let my body relax.

*****