Reanimated: The Round Table Chronicles 1

The Next Chapter

Across time and Space deep in a cave Excalibur and Rinejack stood before a huge marble door.

“OH GREAT KING OF SCALE AND CLAW” said Rinejack

“Father a new kings been crowned” Excalibur said plainly

Rinejack punched him. Excalibur rolled his eyes. The marble door slide back and a 2,000 foot dragon growled, smoke curled from his nose. Flames burned in his eyes.

“My sons you have served me well” It spoke

“We only live to serve” they said bowing

The dragon had ebony skin, with yellow strips and a beard, his four enormous legs were curled cat like. His maw looked as though he could easily get his way.

*

“Come on there's something I want to give you” Marshall said

*

“What would you have us do next Father?” Rinejack asked

*

Marshall felt alive again his future queen with him.

*

“Bring him before me when you two agree he's ready” said the dragon

The marble door slide closed. Excalibur and Rinejack looked at each and then walked wordlessly from the cave.

*

“Morgana told me something before she died” he said pulling a drawer open in the desk

“Oh” said Penelope

This was the first time anyone had mentioned it, everyone was giving Marshall the time to grieve.

“Yeah” he said “She said she see's the blue eyed boy in the golden eyed man”

Penelope glanced down at Marshall's hand. He held a small keepsake box in them.

“You thought that to me the Miracle took me to you” he said

He held the box out to her. She took it and he placed a hand on hers.

“My mother gave this to me two weeks before I took ill”

Penelope turned it thrice in her hand then opened it. Inside on a blood red piece of fabric set a black onyx stone.

“I was going to give it to you on the night of the harvest moon” he explained

Penelope turned, she gazed at the stone and a flood of memories came to her, she remembered how they'd met. He was seven and her father was baking bread with her help. When a little snowman waded in, it had frosted hair and vibrant blue eyes and was trembling.

“And who might you be” boomed Penelope's father

When the snowman jumped a boy with tanned skin and brown hair with blonde highlights stood were it had.

“Well hello Marshall”

Penelope's father turned and grabbed a warm loaf of bread and a stool.

“Come sit by the fire” he beckoned

“Penelope go boil some water please”

As the memory faded a new one grew. Marshall's 18th birthday. It was a hot day Marshall lay on the floor wearing a vest, no shirt and a pair of leather pants.

“Penelope, Marshall can you come down!” yelled Penelope's father

“I'll get there first!” yelled Marshall

When they got into the baking room Penelope's father held out a wheat of bread.

“Can you take this to Odette and then run up to the Farm and get more flour please?” he asked

“Yes Papa” said Penelope

“Hubert!” came a voice

Penelope's mother breezed in, she was a vile and ruthless woman who hated Marshall, she often referred to him as Cave Boy.

“I wonder if I might have a word with Ca- Marshall” she paused “In privet”

“I'll got to the smithy deliver the bread and meet you at the roads end” she said pecking his cheek

The memory faded and Penelope looked down at the gem and smiled.

“We'll need to have it set” she said

“I haven't asked you properly yet” he giggled

“You don't have to...Marshall other then you I know you best” she said

They kissed and ran out the door. A shadowy figure looked out the window of Dominic's window, and watched Marshall and Penelope ran across the courtyard.

“Come on Darrin, it's time you learn to control your blood lust” said Marshall's voice in Darrin's head

Darrin watched as Marshall's arm disappeared into a vortex. He suddenly felt himself being pulled backward and put in the back of Marshall's car.