Lycans and Legends

Chapter 15: The Druids

I looked at Nyneve. “You could have come to me. You could have told me. If you saw me, then you know what I am, what I’ve become. Someone could have told me something.”

“Yes. We could have. But we believed Melwas would try to kill you if you were identified. You were safe with the widow Louvel.”

“He tried to kill me yesterday.”

“You were safe until you joined the Red Capes.”

“I was never safe. I’m different. I’ve always had this second sight.”

“It is the blood of Avalon. It is old magic. Druid magic.”

“And is that what you are? A druid?”

“Yes.”

“Where are the rest of you? The other druids?”

“Not far.”

“You’re being vague.”

“Yes. And I’m sorry for it. You must understand, after my sister died, the druids retreated. We have kept our order—and ourselves—out of the world in an effort to prevent Melwas from returning.”

“Looks like that plan didn’t work.”

“No, it did not.”

“So how in the hell did he get back?”

“The stones and mounds are all guarded, shielded by druid magic. But there are ways—old, forgotten ways. We believe Melwas located an artifact that allows him to open portals to the Otherworld.”

Artifact. I remembered the conversation between Victoria and the Indian agent.

“What is this artifact?” I asked.

“An amulet with three pieces. It is a device to open gateways between the worlds. The artifacts went missing many years ago.”

“There was an incident with the Red Capes in India. An artifact went missing.”

“Yes. It appears that the Red Capes had a piece of the artifact all along. We didn’t know. After the incident with your mother and Langdon, the druids and the Rude Mechanicals ended things on bad terms.”

“Did it ever occur to you that my father gave all three pieces of the artifact to the Red Capes? Maybe, in addition to telling me who I am, you could have mentioned it to me. I could have inquired. Hell, the Red Capes may have all the pieces. Someone should have told me something!”

“Clemeny, I know you are angry.”

“No. You don’t know anything. My parents are dead. For sure. For certain. I’ve wondered about them my whole life. And I never knew who they were or why they died. Or even that they were dead. Or why I was left behind. And I never understood why I was like this. And I didn’t know I had any family, real family, still alive. And now you’re here asking me to fight the same monster who killed my parents.”

“Not for myself, but for the good of us all. We need your help, Clemeny. We came to you because of who you really are. Melwas has one piece of the artifact. This allowed him to pass through. Do you know what will happen if he gets all three pieces? All of the dark things of the Otherworld will enter the human realm. Things like the monstrous faerie Krampus whom you fought—we know about that—will enter the human plane. Melwas will become a vicious overlord, enslave mankind. It is our job to stand guard between the planes. We must stop him. I know this is hard for you. It was no easier for me. My sister was my only family. You are my only family. I didn’t want to leave you but—”

Nyneve was interrupted when another voice called her name.

“Nyneve.”

I looked behind me to find another robed figure pushing through the mist. An ancient patriarch, his long white hair and beard both drifting to his waist, approached.

I set my hand on my pistol. “Who are you?”

“My name is Elon. I am Arch Druid of the Isles. You must forgive your aunt, Clemeny. It was upon my order that we left you with Felice Louvel.”

“Didn’t it occur to anyone along the way—I don’t know, maybe once I joined the Red Capes—to tell me who I am?”

“We are here now,” Elon said.

I frowned at him. “Because you need me.”

“The realm needs you, and if I am guessing correctly by that cape and badge you wear, that means something to you. I’m assuming our Queen sent you out to find answers. We’re giving you the answers you seek.”

He was right, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t still angry. “Perhaps. On the score of keeping the realm safe, you’re right. But as for me, my parents, my life, you have no good excuses.”

“I do have one,” Elon said. “You’re still alive. If Melwas knew you lived, he would have had you killed.”

“Why? It’s not like I’m a druid or anything. I’m just the orphan of a woman who was important.”

Nyneve shook her head. “No, Clemeny. You misunderstand.”

“Misunderstand what?”

“Who you are. You are the Lady of the Lake, like your mother before you,” Nyneve explained.

“What are you talking about?”

“You are the first daughter. The title, the power, passes on to the first daughter, as the faeries decreed generations ago. You have the magic of Avalon in your veins. We both do. But you will be Lady of the Lake, just like your mother. Only you have the power to stop Melwas.”

“What? That’s ridiculous. I don’t have time to play around with old legends and nonsense. I have a job to do.”

“We can help you, teach you,” Nyneve said.

“You’ve had years to teach me. You chose not to. Now I have to face Melwas as I am. What I already know—not this Lady of the Lake nonsense—will have to be enough. There is no time for the rest, even though something tells me that knowing a few druid spells might have come in handy. You know, things you could have taught me years ago.”

“She’s right,” Nyneve told Elon.

Elon frowned. “Melwas doesn’t know who you are, why you are so strong. He knows how to fight druids, but he doesn’t know how to fight you. Next time you face him, you will kill him.”

“Is that so?” I asked hotly. Who in the hell was this old wizard to boss me around? I wasn’t going to just start taking orders from someone who claimed to be Arch Druid. Especially not someone who had hidden the truth from me.

“Yes,” Nyneve said softly. “Because if you don’t, Melwas will kill Victoria and destroy everything you love,” she said. Then, whispering softly under her breath, she made an odd motion with her hand.

The mists behind me parted.

I saw the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey. And then, I saw him.

Lionheart stood amongst the ruins, a sword in his hand, his eyes glowing red as he gazed all around. The moonlight shone down on him, making his blade glisten. He stilled when he spotted us.

“Clemeny?” he called.

“Track the boggarts and other dark creatures. They are working with Melwas, hunting the other two pieces of the artifact. The fiends and evil things will try to aid his rise. You must find the other two pieces of the artifact first. Get those, and you can stop Melwas from opening all the doorways into your world. The artifact Melwas has must be recovered. And you must kill him, if you can,” Elon told me.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lionheart moving toward us.

“What about the rest of the Unseelie? What will the Silver Court do if I murder an Unseelie prince?” I asked.

“Melwas’s actions do not speak for the Silver Court. He is a rogue prince. That said, they won’t raise a hand to stop him nor will they prevent you from defending this realm against him,” Elon said.

Nyneve looked at me, a soft pleading expression on her face. “When it is done, sweet niece, come back. I must make amends. And you’re right. You must learn.”

Elon glanced behind me. “Hold, Templar. We are not your enemies.”

There was a low growl behind me.

“What you ask is unfair,” I told Elon. I forced myself not to tremble with the million emotions that wanted to wash over me. I felt devastated, enraged, and hopeful all at once.

“Yes,” Elon said. “But that is the way of things, Lady of the Lake,” he said then bowed. When he did so, the mists around him grew thick, and he disappeared.

I turned to Nyneve. “Aunt,” I whispered softly.

“I’m sorry, Clemeny. I’ll see you again soon,” she said then vanished.

A sharp wind blew, carrying with it the heavy mist. When it passed, I found myself standing in Glastonbury Abbey ruins once more.

I looked back at Lionheart. He shook his head, tossing away the last of the wolf-like features that clung to his face. But his eyes were still glowing red.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“Not really.”

“Druids, I presume?”

“Yes.”

“Did you find out what you needed to know?”

“And then some. Apparently, I’m the Lady of the Lake.”

“Fancy title. Aren’t you supposed to go lie in a pond and distribute swords or something?”

“That’s what I thought too. But no.”

“And instead?”

“I need to go kill a rogue faerie prince before he kills Victoria and lets loose havoc on our world. And, by the by, he murdered my parents.”

“Sounds as though he needs a good killing.” Lionheart paused. “Clemeny…”

“At least now I know why I smell good now.”

“Why is that?”

“Apparently, I have the faerie-blessed blood of Avalon in my veins.”

Lionheart huffed then crossed the space between us. Wrapping his arms around me, he kissed me on the forehead. “Shall we go back and have a drink?”

“Or two.”

“Or three?”

“Lead the way.”