Knightingale [THE FIRST DRAFT.]

CHAPTER ELEVEN

"Let us travel to the past to meet the Lady of the Lake."

[ THIS BOOK is available illustrated on my KOFI @/2ndstarart ]

In the same dirt that Adric had stood, admiring the mighty blade, a chase began years prior. A man, with long curling hair and the slight stubble of a boy becoming a man, ran through the forest; his ragged clothes catching on every twig and branch as if they reached for him. Yet this did not stop his efforts, for a great growling sounded behind him, thunderous and gruelling. He wasn't sure what the creature was and truth be told if one would be shown the bloodcurdling beast without the fear of it swallowing you whole, then they still wouldn't know either.

So far from his village, in search of what seemed to be a myth, a legend even. He hadn't remembered when he started; 2 hours ago? 2 days? It could have been 2 years ago and he wouldn't have noticed.

He tripped over his own leather-clad feet, and with hands coming down to brace himself, they landed in the crystal-clear waters. He expected the cold hard sting of the rocks that lined the bottom of the lake, yet no pain came to his palms, rather it began to glow. An iridescent sparkle one would expect to dream about. With eyes wide, he watched as the water rose, a sword penetrating its surface and pushing through.

Attached to the sword came a hand, then an arm, wrapped in the finest of pearls and some sort of algae creating a perfect pattern on the pale skin. Soon came the long flowing hair, a cacophony of bronzed, honey browns with a rich warmth of curls that seemed dry to the touch. The face wasn't the final aspect to leave the cold waters but it certainly was the most memorable; Dark looming eyes that sparkled in the setting sun, blue blushed lips which arched sharply at the cupid's bow and a chin just as sharp and pointed. She looked soft, however, a look on her face that a mother would give that of her child, or perhaps lovers to one another: The Lady of the Lake.

Rumours of her appearance rang through the land of Eyocahn and beyond, some thought her to be an angel sent to those who had already passed death and gave them another life. Others believed she was a witch who lived under the waters seeking a worthy heart to grant a wish. Some thought her to be the spirit of a young Lady, having fallen in love with a prince who did not share her affections, she thrust herself into the Lake around the Tor Temple not allowing another man to traverse her lake in fear. But that was so long ago now.

The man almost forgot about the bounding beast who let out a loud roar, having pushed past the barrier of trees.

With a head as fast as lighting, he looked back as the creature readied to leap from his paws. Cloven hooves? Talons? He didn't know.

"Arthur." Her voice was as strong as a hurricane yet as soft as a whisp. He turned to her with his dark eyes, faced with the hilt of the glorious sword. Her gentle hand grasped the blade with such firmness that he expected to see the slow trickling of red slide down towards him. Instead, the water seemed to pour in its place, finding every crevice of its etched surface, and filling the runic ridges with glowing blue light.

In opportune time, he grabbed the wrapped handle and swung it behind him, slicing the monster in two in an almost impossible feat. Once he turned back to the lake, which seemed to lap up the beast's crimson blood, the woman had already retreated underneath the surface. Although the water was clear, he could see no movement, nor the dark flowing hair of the woman, like she had vanished entirely.

With sword in hand, he returned home; A small village, just outside the grounds of Eyocahn palace, with no name.

***

Running as fast as his feet could take him, Adric ran east, his avian companion following after. The Tor Temple was within reach, he could smell the algae of its waters, could hear the splashing of wildlife even this early in the morning, he would even swear he could feel its mist spraying his face as he travelled further.