Beyond the Legend- (novel excerpts)

chapter seventeen

The five men rode up to the gate of Lot’s castle and were admitted easily. King Lot met them in the courtyard. He called out as they rode in. “Mordred! My boy! So you have finally returned home, your mother will be elated.”

“Thank you my liege, but where is my wife?” Mordred sprung from his horse. “I wish to see her, now!”

“Patience my boy, you will see her in due time. I must be sure of your alliance first.”

“I can assure you, my lord, my wife means more to me than my own life. I will do whatever it takes to protect her.”

“And that you will, Mordred, that you will indeed.” The King laughed. “Who are they?”

“My men.” Mordred offered no explanation.

“Men?” The King laughed. “They’re boys. They fight for you? Can they even lift their swords?”

“You’d be surprised.” Mordred said no more. Lot led the Prince and his men to the great hall. How familiar everything was to him. It seemed as if time had returned him to his childhood. He had roamed these halls thousands of times, yet now, they felt even more dark and lonely than they did then. Perhaps it was because he missed Marianna so much or maybe because he hated his mother even more.

“Mordred! My dear! Welcome home.” Morgan enthusiastically held out her arms. Mordred and his men bowed.

“My Queen,” He said coldly.

“Mordred must you be so unfriendly? I am your mother you know.”

“Quiet my dear.” The King snapped at her. “At least he has finally learned some manners and has not come barging in here like his-.”

Morgan flashed Lot a hateful look. “Mind your tongue old man.”

Mordred spoke again just as coldly as before.

“Queen Morgan, my men and I have come to surrender to you and the King. Mind you, I lay no claim to my kinship here. I wish only to serve you, for my beloved wife’s sake.”

“Your men? Where did you find them? Former peasants one would presume.” Morgan chuckled wickedly. “As for your wife my dear boy, you surprise me at your choice of women, she is such a pious little lady. The dungeon guards tell me she does nothing all day but pray to her goddess for the safety of her husband and son. It is such a pitiful sight.”

Mordred glared furiously at her with a level of hatred that almost equaled her own. “You never told her that our child was dead? How cruel you are Morgan le Fay!”

“I thought I would leave that tragic task for the boy’s father.” The Queen snickered mockingly and smiled.

Mordred, determined not to back down, once more demanded to see Marianna. “Why is she in the dungeon? I want to see her, now! I will swear no alliance until I have seen her.”

“If you insist. Guard, show Sir Mordred and his men to their quarters.” The King ordered. “Then bring the Lady Marianna to him, but do not leave them unattended.”

“Thank you, my liege.” He and the knights bowed and then followed the guard out of the hall.

Once in his room Mordred removed his armor and waited anxiously.

“You grew up here, my lord?” Sir Gregory said look around. “There is such a eerie, unnatural atmosphere in this place.”

“Now you know how I felt.” Mordred replied tossing his leather jerkin on the bed.

“Do you think they’ve hurt her, my lord?” Thomas asked.

“If she has been harmed, God help me I swear I-” Someone knocked at the door. “Enter.” Mordred answered loudly. The door swung open and standing there were three armor-clad guards two of which had Marianna by the arms. She was bound in chains, both hands and feet. Her clothes tattered and dirty, her face smeared with dirt and her eyes were swollen and red from crying. Her beautiful hair that Mordred had love so much was tangled and matted with straw. The men pushed her through the door. It took great restraint to keep from attacking the guards for leaving her in such as state.  “Remove her chains!” Mordred ordered.