Phoenix Fire

4 - Curses and Dreams

KAENA

I woke up to a sound of clattering. I opened my eyes. It was dark in the room, with some moonlight coming in through the open window. There was a cup of water on the table next to me. I took a sip.

"Sorry!" I could hear Merlin say through the door. "I'll clear it up."

Gaius was muttering, "I did not clean this floor yesterday for you to spill frogs brains on it. The smell can last for weeks." This door, I realised, was not very sound proof. Great. Lots of privacy. Not that I'd be needing it. 

I could hear the sound of benches scraping and bowls being put down. 

"Merlin, I want to talk to you about something." Gaius said.

"Uh-huh."

"Merlin could you stop inhaling your soup for a second and listen? It's about Lona." Gaius said, lowering his voice slightly. I'd need to get closer if I wanted to hear what they were saying about me. I got out of bed an crept to the door, opening it a crack.

"What about her?" Merlin asked.

"Did you see today when she took off her tunic she was wearing a wooden carving around her neck?" Gaius asked. I looked down at my pendant. Hale had given it to me one day. He'd bought it at a market place. 

Merlin cocked his head slightly, "What about it?"

"I've seen it before. It belonged to someone very powerful. Garwynn of Celidion, from the north of Albion. She was a healer and a witch. She was very skilled. Some people believed she was a Cat Sith - a witch who could transform into a cat at will, but this can only be done 9 times until they are to remain a cat until their death. They're believed to steal souls. Though I don't think that particular rumour was true. Others say she rescued a Cu Sith from some men who wanted to use it for its powers. It's a large spectral hound who roams the moors and is a bringer of death. They're described as a huge green or black beast. Just as they have the ability to take life, they can also give life. It is said that their blood can make flowers grow from the soil. They are very powerful beings. If you cross one it is unlikely you will survive but if you help one you can be blessed with extraordinary gifts. I don't know which stories are true and which are faked but I met her once. A very beautiful woman. Powerful but beautiful. They say she got some of her powers from the Cu Sith." 

My heart was in my mouth, my ears were pounding. I fought hard to keep my breath steady. I had no idea what he was talking about. 

Merlin sat there for a moment, taking it in. "Did she practice dark magic?" He finally asked.

"Not that I knew of, but the animals associated with her are dark ones, taking souls or bringing death are not friendly abilities. Her healing powers were truly amazing though. The bird on her pendant is a phoenix, it can be reborn from it's own ashes. Its tears have healing powers, which is why it was her sign. Though they are neither evil nor good, once killed they can be used for dark magic. Their talons, for example, can be used to make deadly poisons or turned into magical objects to inflict great suffering. Garwynn was a truly powerful woman. Her symbol is, in turn, a powerful bird."

"Why are you telling me this? She has her pendant, yes. She could have picked it up somewhere." I was glad Merlin was defending me, but I felt like my heartbeat could be heard across Camelot it was so loud. This woman sounded terrifying.

"Merlin what did Lona tell you about herself?" Gaius asked softly.

"Not much. She said she was a bounty hunter, she'd lost her partner and a friend." He shrugged.

"Anything else? Did Arthur say anything?" Gaius prompted.

"He called her Kaena Raelin but she said she didn't go by that name anymore. He said she was the daughter of the General in Bernicia, that they'd met as children when their parents had convened for a war council." Merlin shrugged.