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Banquet Chapter 10, Chronicle I By William Black The palace was much larger than it appeared from the outside. Guards stood at the entrances of all the many hallways that honeycombed the mansion. Morion led Will down one of these passages. He noticed the many tapestries detailing the history of the realm, the story of the Dark Crystal, and the battles fought to keep it safe. Something within him needed to ask her about the crystal itself, but felt conversation was the last thing he wanted right now. Morion stopped before a large wooden door. She gently touched the lock and there was an audible snapping of the latch. She opened the door to reveal a well-lit staircase. She took the knight’s hand and led him upwards. "The sleeping chambers in this corner of the palace are on the second floor. Both you and Morgana have rooms up here." "Morion, I don’t mean to pry into Morgana’s personal life, but who is Sir Robert de Wood?" William’s curiosity got the better of him. Morion paused in the hallway at the top of the stairs. "Sir Robert de Wood is an old friend of mine and Morgana’s. He has been her champion in many a tournament. They also have been lovers for a very long time. Like many, they have had their ups and downs, but still the love burns strong." She then led the way down the long hall. Soon she stopped before a rune covered door, she continued, "This will be your quarters. Within you will find a hot bath and a warm bed. Once you are freshened up, pull the cord next to the bed and I will have a servant attend to your every need. Dinner will be within the hour." With this she left William a key and walked back the way they had come. William found the room just as she said. It was spacious. Hot water steamed within a tub as if in expectation of his arrival. He immediately undressed and immersed himself in the soothing water. After washing thoroughly, he climbed out and dried himself. Having noted some elegant cloths draped at the foot of the bed, he went to see what type of costume he was expected to wear. To his surprise the cloths were fit for a prince. The pants were of the finest black leather known to him. The shirt, creme coloured, was of the softest silk. A belt with a large Celtic buckle and a loop for his sword was also provided. He wondered if he would look "dashing" to the fair Morgana. He prayed so. He quickly dressed and looked at himself in the mirror. For an instant he did not recognise the figure staring back at him. He had not beheld his image in some time, and the fellow reflected in the mirror appeared to be a man of distinction. Silvery threads weaved their way through the fine brown hair. His dark eyebrows were busy, but not uncontrolled. He looked more mystical than he remembered himself being. Gone were the curves of youth, replaced by the sharp angles of experience. Though he had always been older than he looked, now his looks were catching up to him. He comforted himself by the fact that the noble Sir Robert de Wood looked even older than himself, and not in as good of shape. "Well, it’s been about an hour, I’d better be on my way," the knight thought to himself. Yet before leaving, he tested the bed. It was firm and comfortable. Then his thoughts turned to other beds and times. He would gladly spend the rest of his life on the hard ground if only he and Morgana could be together. "Of course, she could have the comfortable bed," he smiled to himself. Instead of pulling the rope to call the servant, Will went exploring. He walked up and down the hallways adjoining the one that led to his room. He noted all the windows, vents, doors and stairwells that presented themselves. Most people would easily get lost in such a labyrinth, but Will loved this type of thing. Though he could loose his direction, he could never stay that way. Something within him always sensed the right way to go. Once his explorations were finished, he set off for the main hall of the palace. From here he could make his way to the banquet room. As he descended the stairs he could hear the talk of courtiers as they made their way to the hall. William followed them. As he entered the hall he noticed how bright it was. Dozens of glowing chandeliers illuminated the banquet room, and all the tables were decked out with various types of foods, vegetables, and fruits. Wine cups also stood at the ready. Morion spotted the knight as he came through the main door. "Sir William, please come here and join me at the head table." Her smile was as bright as the room. Tonight would be one of pleasure and not of business. Will could see the determination in Morion’s eyes that all who attended should enjoy themselves. She directed him to a place at her right side. The First night and Wind Walker were seated to Morion’s left. Will was curious as to who would sit at his immediate right, for there was an empty seat and it certainly would not be Morgana. She was somewhere with Sir Robert. William really started to dislike the thought of those two being together. Yet he had to keep his mind on other things, like defeating his enemies without revealing too much to those he counted as friends. The final guests entered into the room and took their places. Servants were finishing up serving the appetisers when Morion stood up to make the first toast of the evening. "My fellow Lords and Ladies," she began in a clear musical tone, "I wish to present to you a most noble and trustworthy knight, one who deserves our thanks and support. To Sir William of Annsbury, better known as the Druid knight." With this she turned to face William, raised her cup in salute, then drank deeply of its dark contents. The others in the hall followed her example, saluting the knight in unison. William squirmed a bit in his chair, because he disliked any type of public recognition. He was just doing what he felt was right. Though he had to admit, it was nice that someone noticed and appreciated the work he did. Morion tried to engage William in conversation, but found it more comfortable to chat with those more familiar to her. "Or maybe she doesn’t want me to think she is probing for answers," he thought to himself. Whatever the reason, William sat listening, but not really participating. Even the food, which was delicious, could not distract the knight’s thoughts. Then a servant came to him with a note. The servant rushed away before anyone noticed she had been there. William read it with curiosity. It was from Morgana. "I will be there shortly. And I am sorry for what happened in the courtyard. I will explain. Signed M." So, Morgana did care enough to try and explain the situation between her and Sir Robert. The knight wondered how his heart would feel during and after the explanation. "Who the heck cares," the knight thought to himself, "I am a knight. I have duties. I cannot wallow in my sorrow and bloody self-pity. Anyway, after I meet Dumah, it won’t matter a bit. Morgana will have the happiness and power she longs for, and I will have?" The knight paused in his thoughts, then let them run free, "I will have bleeding little, that’s what!" Morion must have seen the tense expression on William’s face. "Are you all right, Sir? Please eat, you need your strength." With that she scooted her chair closer. "William, this is a banquet for you. Enjoy yourself. Look! Morgana comes to join you." Will followed Morion’s eyes to the front entrance. Coming towards him was the most radiant woman he had ever seen. Her hair was a curly red-gold halo around her face. She walked with a grace born of much practice and innate suppleness. Sir Robert entered behind her, taking a place at one of the lower tables, and looking none too happy. Morgana came up to the front and sat by Will. William looked at her and loved her anew. She smiled back at him and took his hand. At this he rose from his seat and in his low bass tone that rumbled across the hall he said, "Lords and Ladies of Morion’s Realm. It would be rude of me to neglect making a toast to your most beloved sovereign; however, I have someone dearer to my heart that I must honour first. I give you Lady Morgana. No man anywhere could find a better friend, companion, ally, or a hundred other things that she is to me. To Lady Morgana, whom I love dearly with all of my life." Will raised his glass high and then drank a sip of the contents. Morgana blushed, but Will noted with great satisfaction that Sir Robert was fuming, a horrible frown creasing his brow. Will just smiled benignly. Then he continued, "And to Lady Morion. Hers are the gardens of life I renew myself in. Hers are the woods I practice my arts in. And to her I owe a great debt of gratitude. For she has upheld her realm with peace, justice, and honour. Each one is common these days, but seldom are they found in such a delightful mixture as they are here." Will raised his voice slightly louder, "To Morion!" Again he raised his cup and drank. Those in the hall echoed, "To Morion!" and drank of their cups. The night dragged on however and Will felt tired. He noted that Morgana also looked weary. "Morgana, would you like to be with me tonight? I can tell you where my room is." He looked at her hopefully. He wanted one last chance to steal her heart away. "Will," she glanced to where Sir Robert was sitting and noted that he was not paying any attention to her whatsoever, "I would love to. But it will have to be later tonight. Don’t ask me why... just come here." She handed him a note with directions. Then she leaned towards him, kissing his lips tenderly. He stared at her a moment, then got up, made his apologies to her and his hostess, and retired to his room. The walk back was a long one, but it gave him a chance to do a bit more exploring before going back to his lonely room. Once he was to his quarters, he sat down on the bed to contemplate Morgana’s words. He was startled out of his musings by a knock on the door. With a hopeful heart he sprang from the bed to answer. His joy melted as he let in the First knight. Sensing that Will anticipated someone else, the First knight apologised, "Sorry to disturb you my friend, but I wanted to let you know when Morion expects us all to join her in her private chambers tomorrow. Please be ready at 10 o’clock. A servant will come to fetch you. Oh, and Morion thought that since you have so many enemies in low places," here the large man let out a hearty chuckle, "Guards should be posted at every entrance and exit of the palace." The First knight hesitated and grew serious, but Will could see what was coming, "And there will be a sentry right outside your door should you have need of him." Will just nodded, but really wanted to laugh. So he was a prisoner. Oh, they said it was for his protection, but the bottom-line was that he was a captive until Morion was sure about his abilities and loyalties. Well, so be it. He would not disappoint them. The First knight noted something in William’s eyes and said with a wink, "Try to stay out of trouble." Then he turned and left. William went to the balcony overlooking the back courtyard. It was the time of the new moon, so darkness covered the garden below, except for small areas illuminated by torches interspersed along the garden paths. It was there he knew he had to spend the night in lone vigil. But before his vigil began he had an appointment to keep with Morgana. His mind made up, he went to the door and pressed his hands to it. He could feel the presence of the sentry without. William closed his eyes and focused his attention on the magick building within his soul. He concentrated on sending thoughts of slumber to caress the mind of the sentry standing outside his room. Within minutes he could hear the snoring of his bodyguard. Gently he opened the door and slipped out into the corridor. Following Morgana’s directions he came to a hall very similar to the one his own room was on, and went to the door indicated in the note. He knocked gently, but received no response. He knocked louder but again, no response. Finally in frustration, he sent threads of thought racing out to find where Morgana might be. He soon found her and the one she was with. He broke his thoughts off abruptly hoping she did not sense his intrusion. She was happy. "Well, that’s that," he said under his breath. "I will not beg her to be with me." However, he did feel like begging. He felt for once in his life he wanted to be selfish. He wanted to have what he knew he could not. "In a few days, it won’t matter," he chided himself. He went down the corridor and out a forgotten bolt hole that he had discovered on his earlier explorations. It led to the garden below his room’s window. As he entered the garden, he could sense the fairy folk who lived and worked there. They sensed him too, yet continued their activities, undisturbed by his presence. There was also a pond. He could hear fish rising to snatch up unsuspecting insects off the surface of the water. He sat by the water’s edge and prayed. All his personal defences came down as he made supplication to his Lord. He knew that nothing within Morion’s realm would dare attack him, so he didn’t pay attention to a pair of green eyes watching him with intense interest. For a long time he sat praying, and the cat-like eyes watched in wonder. The green eyes belonged to a young wood nymph. She came and sat down beside the man in prayer. When her patients grew thin, she ventured to speak to him. Her voice was like the sound of crystalline wind chimes. "Sir William?" she whispered. Will slowly opened his eyes to behold the slender woman sitting next to him. He cocked his head at her and pondered what to say. All he could think of in response was, "Yes?" "William of Annsbury, why is your heart troubled so?" The nymph took Will’s arm in her own. "We have watched you closely and do not like to see your soul so distraught." "Dear girl, I am not in the habit of revealing my thoughts, let alone my sorrows, to complete strangers. Nymphs and fairies seldom reveal themselves to human kind, and when they do, it is usually for mischief. Why have you come?" "I assure you, most noble knight, it is as a friend I come to you and not to create trouble." The girl did not look hurt, yet she did seem determined to convince him of her sincerity. "You seek to do battle with one of our own," she stated in a matter-of-fact tone. "Yet to do so is folly. Dumah will destroy you and then where will all your hard won accomplishments be?" So, she knew of his great nemesis. She also was aware of Will’s intent. "Nymph, what is your name?" "Why do you want to know? I will not reveal it to you, for there is power in a name, and I would not have it used against me." "Ha! You distrust me. Yet you try and warn me away from my intended target. Hmmm, I wonder. Why have you really come?" Will concentrated and awakened his magick, but the wood nymph did not budge. "I said I am not here to cause you trouble. I am here to lend comfort. Will," she paused to let her words take effect, "you will need help if you wish to face Dumah. He is our brother and thus cannot be destroyed with traditional magick, no matter how skilled you are at wielding it. Please do not face him alone." The nymph’s green eyes seemed to glow with a light all their own as she looked deeply into the eyes of the knight. Seeing she could not dissuade him, she said, "I want to give you something." She reached up and removed a gold chain from around her neck. "This will afford you some protection against the poison boiling within your blood. Wear it always." She reached around Will’s neck and clasped the ends of the chain together. She then lightly kissed the knight on the lips and said, "She loves you, you know. She loves you and aches for you." "If you mean Morgana, you can save your breath! I know who she loves." The pain of rejection that had been only a dull memory flew back with pitiless urgency. "But fear not, I have received the gift as it was given. The problem is I want more than mere words, but it is only my greed talking. I just have to fight this selfish streak in me. It is quite unbecoming of a knight." Will hadn’t noticed the first rays of light in the eastern sky. Nor did he feel the ache in his limbs from sitting in one position so long. "I must go," said the nymph. "Daylight is not for me. Please remember my words. We do need you." "Before you go, I must say that no man is indispensable. When I die, another will take my place. I appreciate your concern, but my life has little meaning in the greater scheme of things." "For a Druid, you can sure be stupid sometimes! I never said you were indispensable, but the work you do so well can only be replicated by a hundred others. And the speciality work of just one of them could only be replaced by a hundred of you." She then made a sweeping motion with her arms, "We need your abilities to heal and sustain the gardens and woods against those enemies who seek to devour our lives." The wood nymph stood up and walked to the edge of the garden. "Please consider all I have said," then she was gone. Will stood up painfully, his joints aching in protest. He went to where the nymph had been and whispered, "Don’t worry, I’ll consider all you have told me." Then he went to the palace to get some breakfast before the big meeting with Morion and her advisors. Continuation... Chronicle I, Main page William Black © |