Page 77 of Awakening

Chapter 17

Gathered in the King’s private council chamber, Emrys paced the length of the room and explained in detail to Brioc, Noah, and King Locryn who he was, Trystan’s past, and finished with the attack in the garden. As each word fell, expressions shifted between confusion, disbelief, betrayal, even fear, and Emrys worried it was too much to take in in such a short time.

Crossing his arms over his chest, Emrys paused beside Noah and took in a long, deep breath. The King’s assessing gaze moved mostly between Emrys and Trystan. A few minutes of silence passed.

Emrys felt the need to say more. “Your Grace—”

Locryn held up his hand, his beady, blue-gray eyes regarding Emrys intently. “I believe you, Emrys.”

“You do?”

“Yes.” The King rose from his polished, cherry wood armchair. “It is far beyond merely finding and restoring Arthur’s heir. Excalibur lies right here on the table in our presence. And there are things in this world I’ve seen with my own eyes that offer no earthly explanation but they were real, as is this.”

Locryn glanced toward Trystan. “It is no secret that I’ve hoped the lost heir would be found and restored to the throne during my stewardship. And if Camelot is as real as you say it is, then I shall very much like to see it.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

The King nodded.

Brioc spoke. “Your appearance? You look younger than I remember.”

“I had used a spell to conceal my age, but it requires a significant amount of energy to maintain and no longer seems necessary.”

“Where do we go from here, Emrys?” the King asked. “You mentioned war last night.”

“I have seen firsthand the destruction Morgaine can bring with a strong army,” Emrys said. “The last time she battled for the crown, she destroyed everything and killed anyone in her path. Trystan was and is the only one left from that time long ago and now, Morgaine is more powerful than before. I fear she will send forth upon us a formidable army.

“This army will be unlike any that you have ever seen before. Imagine, if you will, legions of undead creatures with unlimited strength and no mercy, grinding their way across the land, killing any living thing in their path.”

Trystan’s eyes glazed over. “The ground beneath will turn to ash and fire will fall from the sky,” Trystan grimly added.

A heavy silence fell over the room.

“A vision I had years ago… the day I first met Marc…”

Emrys held Trystan’s gaze. “If we are lucky, that is all we will face in this war.”

“What do you suggest, Emrys?” Marc asked.

“We will need to gather our own army, but even if we had every able person in Loegria fighting with us, it will likely not be enough. Fortunately, for us, we have my fellow guardians. They will provide aid if Morgaine summons creatures that are not of this earth.”

“Creaturesnotof this earth?” Noah said.

“Yes. Demons and monsters from another realm.” Emrys’ tone held an aura of foreboding.

“If an army of men and women is not enough, is there anything else we can do?” Brioc asked.

Emrys paused and thought for a moment. He glanced around the table. Trystan’s gaze caught him, and he sighed. “There is one other that may ally with us, though it will be difficult to convince them to join our cause.”

“Of whom do you speak?” Locryn asked.

“Queen Mysel, leader of the Woodland Elves.”

“Woodland Elves?” Noah asked. “I have heard stories of them, but thought of them as nothing more.”

“I assure you, Noah, they are quite real, though experts at isolating themselves from humans. They reside in caves beneath Blaiddúlfur Forest,” Emrys replied. “Your Grace, we must do everything we can to amass a large army as quickly as possible.”

“I agree,” Locryn said. “I will ride north, toward Deira and Ratae, with a company of my guard and gather as many soldiers as I can. Noah, you served me once before. I’m making you one of my lord commanders. Take with you a company of my guard and head northeast to Bryste, then south to Rhydwell and west to Daevon and Cornwall, gathering all able-bodied persons. Brioc, you’ll go with him.”