Pulchra Arcanum

Part I (Catalyst)

The stoat friend stayed with Megara for many hours. They talked throughout the afternoon, discussing the things which interested them. Megara spent the evening chasing insects with the stoat. He showed her how to chase rabbits for food as well. This intrigued Megara; how could an animal so much bigger than herself be the source of food for a stoat? After they had captured the rabbit and her friend was eating it, Megara laid studying the creature. She was slightly disgusted by the stoat eating the rare meat, but she knew it was simply his way of life.

I think Ive decided, she said when hed finished eating.

Decided what? he asked as he licked his paws.

I know what to call you.

Oh? The stoat sat up in interest, his dark eyes wide, his jaw chattering excitedly. What is my name, strange girl?

"Luter Terram, I think."

"Loot- what? What the bloody rabbit does that mean?"

That humming laugh bubbled within Megara again. "It's Latin."

"Ah! So it must mean something courageous like . . . like Gallant Knight, or . . . or something."

Megara hummed again and his little foot faltered to the ground. His nose twitched in anticipation. "It means land otter."

"L-land Otter?!" He stood up on his back legs again and bared his little teeth at me. "H-how dare you!? I am a knight of death and destruction!"

Megaras hum was much louder now, and Luter Terram bared his teeth at her. I think it fits you, Megara said to him, struggling to make the same noises she needed to in order to convey the message.

Luter Terram turned around angrily and stalked off a way before laying down. Megara took heart from knowing he didnt leave her behind, however. Especially as the sun was beginning to set and Megara felt as thought she could hear voices again.

As the moments passed, Megara realized the voices were actually approaching. Luter Terram! she hissed. His ear merely twitched. Luter Terram, do you hear those voices?

The humans? Luter Terram asked.

Yes, the humans! Megara hurried to Luter Terrams side.

Yes, I hear them. Luter Terram stood slowly, shaking his body fiercely to dislodge the dirt. Come on, we can hide in this bush over here.

He led Megara towards the bush she had hidden herself in that morning. Luter Terrams fur blended nicely in the shadows. Megara turned the best she could to see her own colorings for the first time. She looked exactly like Luter Terram, but wasnt sure if that was because of the species or if it was because she had used him as her model. Shed have to pay attention next time she did something like this.

As the voices got closer, Megara became excited. One of them was definitely Merlin! Shed know his voice anywhere, of course! She started to move forward out of the bush until the next voice began to speak. "Arthur, you don't understand. You have to learn patience with these people. One day soon you'll be king!"

"I don't understand why you keep saying that, Merlin." The unknown voice argued as they climbed through the forest. "I'm not the crowned prince! I could never be king!"

Crowned Prince? Arthur? King? This was all sounding too weird to Megara. Just last night she'd been telling Merlin about the dream she'd had about the boy and the sword. The boy had been named Arthur. She didnt think hed been a king though, just someone with power chasing people who had killed Merlin.

But this boy was right, he could never be king if he wasn't the crown prince! What was Merlin saying? This wasnt making any sense to Megara, and this ARthur man sounded just as confused.