Everliving Kings (the Heroes of Darkness Saga) (18 page)

“Just look at you, so pathetic, one little nerve twitch and you humans dance like puppets. You can’t fight what you are Anya, you are a walking corpse who owes all of your existence to me. Without me you would crumble to the four thousand year old pile of dust you are. Now come, I am hungry.”

Anya caught something in the child’s voice she had not noticed before, could it have been….fear. Anya turned to look back at the sunlit path behind her and saw a figure standing there waiting for her and smiling at her.

“Chan?” she whispered as tears of joy welled up in her eyes.

Looking up she smiled at the beast. “Is that right? I need you more than you need me? What are you after all but germs? You are the virus in my system, the sickness…the plague! You cannot exist without me or you would have moved on centuries ago.”

The smug little
Vampire figure, lost her smile and took a step backwards. “No Anya, I keep you alive!”

Anya shook her head as she climbed back to her feet. “You are a parasite, I don’t need you, I never did! This body is mine and you have invaded it! No more pain! No more hunger! Get back to the dar
kness!”

To her amazement the
Vampire girl dissolved into a black cloud of mist that shot back down the darkened path. Anya smiled and turned around to find her old friend but instead saw only Shamus waiting by the lit path. As she shaded her eyes from the light she saw the figure of a large white stage turn its head towards her before turning away and disappearing into the bright sunlight.

“Well done.” Shamus said as the girl reached him. “You know in my order we would say you just passed the first initiation. I knew you could do it.”

Anya looked over her shoulder to be sure no one was there before asking, “So what now?”

“Well you have faced and defeated your inner demon, now you are ready to receive help.”

Anya frowned in confusion, “But didn’t I have help? I mean I thought I felt… well I saw…”

Shamus shook his head, “No love that you did all on yer own. You are very strong willed. It may be that you were infected young enough that you adapted; children are like that, far stronger than most give them credit fer. No matter, you did what you had to do, and now you are ready to move on. Now we can find you the help you need.”

Anya frowned at him in confusion, “But if I just defeated my beast what does that mean? What help are you talking about?”

“You wanted to find a way to defeat your f
ather did you no? Well, just hold that thought and start down the path, I will be right ‘ere with you.

Anya closed her eyes and took a deep breath before saying, “I need a way to defeat my father, and keep him from ever trying to capture and torture me again.” 
 

As the pair walked in the tree filtered sunlight, the
Vampire repeated her desire in her head over and over again.

Before long, Anya noticed a large black bird was jumping from tree to tree, pacing their mov
ement as if it were curious about them. Finally Anya stopped in her tracks and looked right at the bird saying, “It’s rude to stare you know. If you have a question just ask me.”

Shamus was lost in thought when Anya spoke, and turned around to see who she was tal
king too.

The bird turned its head to once side before saying “Unsure.”

Anya frowned, “Unsure if you have a question, or unsure if you were following us.”

The bird squawked and flew down to the path before rising up as an attractive dark haired woman in a flowing black feather gown.

“Unsure what you are.” The woman answered as she once more cocked her head to one side.

Shamus dropped to one knee when he realized who had appeared to them. “My Lady Morgan, it is an honor to meet you here.”

“Rise Druid King of Eire, you need not bow before me. The shores of Avalon get many interesting guests, but it has been many centuries since I have seen a Keres. Why are you here? We have had no battles.”

Anya raised her eyebrows in surprise, “A Keres? I have not been called that in a very long time. You are the Morgan? The Celt Goddess of battle and death?”

The woman smiled and nodded her head, “I have many names and titles, but those are the most common. If you are not here for the blood of the dying then what
do
you seek?”

Anya smiled and for the first time in a long time actually knew the answer to that question, “Peace.”

The Morgan frowned and tilted her head the other way as if a different angle would give her more clues. “Peace.” She repeated. “Interesting. Do you mean peace or do you mean victory? If peace were in your heart I would not have been the one to find you here, but victory…. That which must come before peace is earned …that is my domain.”

Anya nodded in agreement, “Perhaps, the co
ncept of peace is a…new one for me. I did ask for a way to defeat my father, so that may have been what got your attention.”

The Morgan smiled and nodded her head, “Aye, that I understand….” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening her eyes and smi
ling at Anya. “Your father is Zog the Everliving, so you must be Anya First, Queen of the Risen, yes I know what you seek. There is a sword named Dyrnwyn, the Sword of Rhydderch Hael. When drawn by a worthy or well-born man, the entire blade will blaze with fire, but it has some ‘peculiar’ properties that cause those who use it to always reject the sword.”

Anya frowned, “Well if it is always rejected by the owners then why would I want it?”

The Morgan smiled, “I said ‘When drawn by a worthy or well-born
man
’, you are not a man. This sword was made to be wielded by a woman. Some think it was a joke played on someone who angered Waylund the Smith, others say he made it for an unnamed Valkyrie he had fallen in love with. In either case, there is no doubt it is a woman’s sword with powers only a woman can wield. Please don’t ask me how or why Rhydderch used the blade, I have no idea how he even came to possess it.”

Shamus and Anya exchanged hopeful looks before the
Risen asked where to find the blade.

“The Clochoderick Rocking stone in Renfre
wshire, Scotland. This stone is said to mark the burial place of Rhydderch and this sword. But know that you are not the only… woman who seeks this blade. I wish you good fortune Anya, Queen of the Risen.” She said with a bow of her head.

As Anya opened her mouth to thank the Mo
rgan for her help, she saw everything around her shimmer and blur, forcing her to close her eyes and shake her head. When she opened them again she found herself siting in the small clearing they had started in. Across from her, Shamus was also looking around as if confused.

“Well,” he said as he rubbed his eyes and smiled at her, “That went well.”

24

             
Sheriff Brewer was relieved when he learned the Lady Anya was out of the castle when he returned home. Not that a prisoner should be allowed to come and go as they please, but perhaps she was no longer a captive. After all she had already met the Regent and confronted Lord Rathbone with a most convincing performance, as well as being named the intended Lady of Nottinghamshire and Devonshire.

Brewer scratched his beard in thought as he pondered how to post the official notice of the pr
oposal. He had been so focused on his plot to deal with the Prince and the Archbishop he had not ever stopped to plan any of the things he would need to plan if it worked, which it did.

“Wedding plans?” he thought to himself. “How am I supposed to deal with any of that nonsense?” to top that off he now had to find a way to either betray is intended spouse or his future father-in law. Either way he went he was sure to make a powerful enemy, the question is, who was the safer bet to betray. It seemed to him no matter how he looked at it
, he feared Anya far more than her father. But what if the relic actually worked? Even if Anya was too powerful to be affected by it no doubt it would have some effect on her daughter Julnar.

Or would it? Julnar was not yet dead so how would that change the effect of the true cross, never mind the fact she is a Muslim
, or at least was at one time.

“AAhhh!” he grumbled out loud as he squeezed his aching forehead. Where was that idiot Gisbon at a time like this? One thing he would be good for was bouncing ideas off of. Not that he ever had any good ideas himself, but for some reason even in his dumbest of moments he tended to say something that would trigger an idea. Perhaps it was just his simple point of view and the Sheriff was now over-thinking everything.   

As fate would have it, just then Sheriff Brewer heard Sir Guy shouting for him from the main hall of the castle. “Ah well,” he thought. “Speak the devils name and the devil shall respond. Yes Guy, what is it!” he shouted as he emerged from his office.

“Ah
, my Lord! I have news about Robin Hood! He now has a full gang of cutthroats to help him with his crimes!” Sir Guy shouted as the Sheriff came into the room.

“Yes
Guy, I am sure, now please stop shouting. Ah, you must be the commander of my new army.” He said as he extended a hand to the armored man standing next to Sir Guy. “I trust your payment arrived without incident this time?

“Oui, I am Commander Tesouid, and yes thank you. I do apologize for the actions of some of my men today, but not all of my men are so badly behaved.”

Brewer frowned in confusion and looked from soldier to knight and back again.

Sir Guy nodded his head, “We rode up on se
veral of the Mercenaries just as…”

“Just as they were about to attack the Lady Marion.” Tesouid interrupted him. “If not for the quick actions of Sir Guy those men would have… well let us just say I am glad we were there.”

Sheriff Brewer raised his eyebrows in surprise, “Well done Guy! Can you just imagine what Prince John would do to us all if anything happened to her? I had better go and check on the Lady myself, if you gentlemen will excuse me.”

Guy frowned at the Frenchman, “Why did you say that? It was Robin Hood who saved her from those men.”

“Don’t be a fool Sir Guy, you cannot let that man take the credit! He is an outlaw and you are a knight, you must maintain that image at all times. Do you understand?” the Mercenary commander said with a pat on the shoulder.

Guy shook his head, “I don’t like it. It is not the truth.”

“Sometimes my friend, it is best to keep the truth to yourself.” Tesouid said as he walked away.

In the main hall of
the keep Sheriff Brewer found the young Lady as she was helping her handmaiden up the last of the stone steps.

“My Lady Marion.” He said as the young lady entered the main hall. “I am Sheriff Brewer, your host. Welcome to Nottingham. I do apologize that Sir Guy was the first one to greet you. He means well but can be somewhat… single minded.”

Lady Marion smiled at him and bowed her head, “Perhaps my Lord but he did give me his word he would protect me from the Frenchmen who tried to have their way with me.”

Brewer’s eyes went wide when he realized she must be referring to the mercenaries. “My Lady! I just heard what happened and I am shocked, are you harmed in any way?”

“No,” she said with a smile, “Thankfully my rescuers were there just in time.”

“Yes indeed, well he is a knight, a fact I som
etimes forget.” The sheriff agreed.

Marion frowned as she thought of the rough but handsome young man with the bow. “A knight? Truly?”

The Sheriff smiled and nodded his head, “Hard to believe from first glance but yes it’s true. You would not be the first one to doubt it, but things are not always as they may seem. You seem to have taken a shine to him if you don’t mind me saying so my Lady.”

Marion blushed but could not help but smile. “Well, a rescue is what a knight is supposed to do.”

“Indeed it is my Lady. Perhaps we could arrange for you to get to know the young man a little, if you were so inclined.”

Marion raised her eyebrows in surprise that the Sheriff would be suggesting she meet with a known outlaw, “Do you think that would cause a scandal?”

The Sheriff had to admit the gossipmongers would have a field day with a meeting between Sir Guy and a Royal ward. “Well perhaps, I suppose we could keep it a quiet meeting. A ride in the forest perhaps? I could arrange it with Sir Guy.”

“I don’t think Sir Guy would approve my
Lord!” she said in shock.

The Sheriff waved a hand to dismiss the n
otion, “You let me worry about that. Now I suggest you go and rest before dinner my Lady, you have had a big day.” The Sheriff had to smile to himself as she walked away, knowing he had just avoided a major catastrophe, and thinking he may just have another pawn in the game.    

25

              The weather joined in the fun on the first day of the Royal Festival, with clear skies and mild temperatures, giving all the plotting factions good omens. Even the uninvited guests enjoyed themselves more than they had expected… well most of them.

             
“This is a bad idea Robin!” Friar tuck grumbled from under the huntsmen’s hood that hid his face. “They have a price on your head… do you think just because this is a faire you will be safe?”

             
Robin turned back to his portly friend with a smile, “Oh relax would you! Why don’t you get something to eat, that should calm your nerves. I promise we won’t be here that long, I just want to…”

He was cut off by the blast of the Royal Tru
mpeters and the shouts of the Royal Crier. “Hear Ye! Hear Ye All! Our Prince John has decreed tomorrow shall be the day off challenge for the throne of Ireland! The Challenger, Shamus O’Connor, shall meet our beloved Prince in a battle of wit and wills at Old Brike’s Tavern upon the high noon!”

Robin and Tuck exchanged shocked looks, “Is he mad?” Robin mumbled before the announcement continued.

“Furthermore! Prince John has opened up the Royal Archery contest; to become a Grand Archery contest, open to all shooters! The Grand Prize shall be a Silver arrow, presented by the Lady Marion Dubois herself! Registration will be…. ” the Crier continued, but one mind had already wandered.

Robin’s eyes went wide, “That’s it! That’s how I can get near her again! I will join in the contest!”

Shawn behind him frowned and Scarlet raised his eyebrows in shock.  “Is you out o’ your bloody mind? They ‘ave more armed men ‘ere then there are arrows for the contest! An’ just in case you forgot that little poster we passed on the way in, we are wanted men! Ow ya fink you gonna’ enter an’ win an arrow shoot wif’ out getting yer bloomin’ head lobed off? Eh?” Scarlet growled as loud as he dare.

With his enthusiasm unaffected, Robin smiled at the red eyed shifter, “I have to see her Will, I have to try.”

Scarlet, not pleased by that answer, grabbed Robin by the front of his tunic and barked in his face, “So you are going to risk the whole pack on seeing a female? Who the hell do you fink you are?!”

Shawn Little placed a massive hand on Sca
rlet’s chest and pushed the two apart. “We don’t fight amongst the pack! We need to stay together!”

Scarlet put a hand on Shawn’s wrist and turned his red eyed stare on the big Irishman. “I ain’t gonna’ watch him lead us into a trap! Hearn’s son or not!” at that he pushed Shawn’s hand away and marched back to the forest alone.

Friar Tuck shook his head as he watched the Shifter disappear into the crowd, “He’s right Robin, this is dangerous. I am sure there must be another way to see the Lady Dubois again.”

A smile a mile wide rode across the young man’s face as an idea struck him. “You’re so right Tuck! I will be right back!” he shouted as he rushed up to a line of servants carrying sacks of goods into the castle kitchens, and took his place in line with a bushel of potatoes.

His pack-mates watched in horror as he waltzed into the castle with the rest of the workers.

That boy is bound to get himself hung.” Tuck mumbled as he shook his head.

Robin followed the lead of the rest of the workers and dropped his sack on a pile of others near a long table of prep cooks, who were busy cleaning and cutting. With all of the movement in and out of the kitchen, no one noticed him grab a bowl of fresh cooked bread rolls and leave the kitchen as if he had somewhere to go.

Peeking around a corner to get his bearings, Robin caught a glimpse of the Lady Marion as she turned to go up a flight of stone steps. With a quick peek around to be sure he was alone, he rushed to catch up to the lady.

“Would you care for a roll my Lady Dubois?” he asked hiding his face behind the bowl as he caught up to her.

The young lady frowned and said, “You are a long way from the kitchen aren’t you?” she asked in a cautious way.

“And you are a long way from the forest my Lady.” He said as he peeked out from behind the bowl.

“Robin! What are you doing here? Did the Sheriff send for you?” she asked now sure the Sheriff must be behind it.

Robin laughed at the thought, “The Sheriff would put a noose around my neck if he found me. I just wanted to make sure you made it here without any further… problems.”

“Wait, I thought he said you were a knight?”

“Well, I was a noblemen once, but now….now I am just an outlaw with a price on my head. My men thought I was mad for wanting to sneak in here, but I just had to see you again. I hope that pleases mi Lady.” He said with a shrug.

“Wait, you are telling me you risked your life just to come ask me if I made it here ok? Are you mad? You can’t do this, please tell me you won’t do this again.”

“Do what again? Risk my life? Or sneak in to see you?”

“Both!”

“So you don’t wish to see me again?” he teased.

“Well I don’t want to see you at the end of a rope!”

“I knew you liked me!”

“No!” she frowned. “Not at all
, I hardly know you!”

“We can change that.” He said with a smile.

“No, I don’t think so, you need to go!”

“Why?”

“Because! It’s dangerous….” She protested.

“So you like me then?” he asked.

The question seemed to catch her off guard as Marion stared at him before answering. “I… well yes, I would like to see you again, but you need to get out of here! What if somebody finds you?”

“When can I see you again?” he asked as if they were the only ones in the castle.

“I don’t know, soon, now get going Robin!” she pleaded as she tried to push him away.

“Will you be at the fair?” he asked as he i
gnored her attempts to move him.

“Yes, now go! Wait, no!
No you don’t! Don’t smile like that! You can’t see me there; I will be with the Sheriff and Prince John! It’s not safe.” She objected.

“Good, Good, I will come and visit you on the morrow then, mi Lady.” He said with a low slow bow.

“Stop it! Just get out of here Robin! Before somebody finds out you are here!”

Robin locked eyes with her and said, “It’s ok, you are the only one who knows I was here.” Before turning around and racing down the servant’s corr
idor.

Marion watched him go with a smile on her lips and a hope in her heart that he was right.

In another part of the castle however another girl smiled as she listened to the distant sounds of running feet.