The Lost Kingdom: The Stone of Destiny

11

"So, where are you from? You still haven't answered me," Mael enquired.

"You wouldn't know anyway..." I sighed, looking back at my bow and quiver.

Mael followed my gaze and I saw a light lit up in his eyes as he reached the same conclusion as the Constable Durand when he had seen those weapons: they weren't from around here.

Morgane sat next to me, putting her hand on my arm. I jumped, expecting her to tear me to pieces and drink my blood. She must have guessed it because she started laughing. A crystal-like laughter, so light and sad. Her gaze was so frank and so warm, it was such a strong contrast with her icy skin, even through the fabric of my clothes... It wasn't natural.

"Calm down. I promise you we won't hurt you. You can trust us, just like William would have."

I darkened at the reminder that he was gone, and because of me. If I had helped him, if I had stayed behind, perhaps we'd both be safe and sound at the vampirs' strange houses now...

Everything I had thought I knew about my world and magic turned out to be wrong, all my marks had disappeared and, for the last few days, my life was constantly wrecked.

I must have looked as lost as I felt because Morgane took my elbow and guided me towards a brown seat. She sat next to Mael, both facing me.

"Myrddin sent us a letter, a couple of weeks ago, telling us that William would come here with a travelling companion, but he didn't give any more details. We were on high alert because of the recent movements of the Agramians so your coming to our clan wasn't a surprise. We want to help you, Prudence, but you need to trust us too."

"Why would you care about my story? You have lived for centuries..." I asked.

"We're not that old," Mael remarked, still as relaxed.

"Everyone's story is worth hearing," Morgane answered, ignoring her lover completely.

Her face, her body, she seemed so young, but her eyes were so old. She gently caressed a medallion hanging around her neck. She must have suffered far more than her smile and laughter let me believe.

My head lowered towards my hands, gathered over my laps. Tears burnt my eyes, starting to accumulate and strangle me, then they flowed down my cheeks, the tension escaping me in waves. And yet... and yet... I still felt like I had a huge weight over my chest, as if someone was trying to suffocate me.

I passed a hand over my face, feeling lost. Morgane stared at me for a long time, but no pity nor sadness shone in her eyes – only understanding and patience. It was as if she could guess my disturbed mind.

"Can you read thoughts?" I asked, frightful.

"Me? No! How absurd!" she exclaimed, chuckling, "No, Prudence, I can't read minds, but after three centuries of existence, I have learned to reads the expressions and eyes of people. I know you have no reason to trust us. You've only met us and until now, you haven't had anyone to count on but... we're here to help you."

I wanted to correct her. I could count on William. I had been able to count on him when he had kept me safe from the Agramians, went on this journey together, were attacked by orcs, he had only ever helped me... And now, I didn't have anyone left. Once more.

"You mentioned William. You can tell us everything that happened to you. If he intended to visit us, then he trusted us, didn't he? As much as he trusts you, evidently, for handing you such a precious memory of his brother," Mael continued, nodding gently towards the dagger at my waist.

My fingers trembled over it. I suddenly felt protective of the weapon, the promise William had given me. I also knew I had no way of fighting and surviving against these vampirs. William trusted Morgane and Mael. So did Myrddin. He had known the vampirs for a long time, Mael was his mentor, so... trusting them shouldn't sting me so badly. I had no choice, anyway. I was all alone with no idea of where to go or how to get there.