Bound In Blue: Book One Of The Sword Of Elements (22 page)

But I was too late. Morgan drew the last circle before I could bind Tynan and claim him as mine.  Throwing Excalibur away as if she couldn’t bear to touch it anymore, she cried out:

“I see in the rocky peaks far away, the place of death;

A rough mountain with a misty summit.

Come down from it and launch your ships on the Fomorian ocean,

Thou son of Uther Pendragon!”

The sword had skittered towards me across the ground. Before I could reach it for it, there was a booming sound and chunks of stone flew through the air—the sarcophagus had shattered. I was thrown backwards, small fragments nicking my arms, but something soft broke my fall.

It was Rowan. Or at least, his body. His head had been severed in one clean cut.

As I scuttled back in white horror, I heard soft laughter coming from the gloom beyond the torch light. “Now I am truly my mother’s daughter, the last of the
sidhe
.”

While the druid was caught out of time by Morgan’s spell, Boudica must have been out of range and had escaped it to complete her betrayal. I could sense her aura. There was still gold in her, but it was now completely overshadowed by darkness. I took a step towards it, but then it winked out. Cursing Goodfellow under my breath, I knew she was gone

There was a cry and I turned to discover that time was moving again. Peter was helping Miko up. Daley had been hit by some of the debris and was bleeding from a cut on his forehead, but otherwise looked all right. Taliesin stirred and I knew he wasn’t dead.

Morgan le Fay stood at the side of a man in the middle of the rubble. Tall and muscular, his black hair and neat beard framed a handsome face and eyes gleaming with warmth and intelligence.

Looking upon Arthur in the flesh for the first time, I knew Taliesin was wrong—the Earth King was the savior of the world, not the enslaver. When he laughed with joy and embraced Morgan, joy filled me too. I wanted to bow to him, my once and future king, and beg him to accept me as his. I put out my hands towards him and was surprised to see they were covered in blood. Tynan’s blood. Arthur’s son lay forgotten on the ground and my heart was my own again.

A sense of dark teal like the shadows on the forest floor caught my attention; Goodfellow was still nearby. I was relieved. Even though he’d betrayed us and had helped Boudica escape, we were going to need him.

Closing my eyes, I searched for the auras of my friends using their strongest colors to find them. Taliesin was bronze like a trumpet. Miko was bright pink, but inky black branched through it like veins. I could easily find Peter through our peridot-green bond. Daley was the deep blue-grey of stormy seas, the platinum of rain clouds, and the red-orange of lightning. Cutting through them was a pale, pure gold.

Excalibur.

CHAPTER FORTY

The sword called to me, but it lay on the ground not far from Arthur and I didn’t dare draw his attention to it. The Earth King released Morgan and looked around in surprise. “How long have I slept, my love? And where are we? This is not the chamber at Camelot.”

Morgan’s eyes darted away. “No, my lord.”

Frowning, he peered into the gloom. “Who are these fallen? Is that Taliesin?” I froze as his gaze passed over me, but if he saw me, he dismissed me as no threat. I began to creep towards the sword.

“No, Arthur.”

Arthur’s face was tender, but his voice was steel. “Why are you lying to me, Morgana?”

“I . . .,” she faltered, “I don’t want you to hurt him.”

With a laugh, Arthur pulled her close again. “For one so fierce, you have a tender heart. I would never harm Taliesin. He was a brother to me once and may still see reason and join us. But why is he here? What are we doing in this cave?” Arthur noticed Rowan’s body and his smile slipped away. “And is that not Taliesin’s pet druid? What happened in this place?”

“What do you remember?”

His face darkened. “I remember my son attacking me with my own sword.” I froze in case the mention of Excalibur reminded Morgan that it was still there, just out of reach.

“Let us go,” she said as she laid her head on his chest. “There is so much I need to explain and this place holds only sorrow.”

But Morgan had not forgotten the way into my mind.

“Take it! Quickly! I cannot fight the oaths I have made for long. In a moment, I will be forced to tell Arthur who you are and that Excalibur is here. Understand that I am bound and could not even choose my own son over him. You are my brother’s child and heir to his power. Only you have the hope of standing against them both. Remake Excalibur and free me, free us all. If you don’t, both our worlds will be consumed in the flames of war.” 

If I could hear her, then she could hear me.
“I will kill you for what you did to Tynan.”

“My son is not dead yet. Look.”

She was right. Tynan’s aura was a swarm of multi-colored sparks dancing towards the same darkness Melusine had been tethered to, but he was still alive.

I had to do something fast. Calling up every shred of the power of the spell Viviane had hidden me with, I screamed the familiar words. “Listen to me! We cannot be seen! Hide in the shadows and be still and silent!”

“What mischief is this? Where did they go?” Arthur roared.

The spell had worked. We were invisible to him.

Pushing Morgan away, he began to pace the room like a lion in a cage. As he passed within a few feet of Excalibur, I knew I couldn’t guarantee Viviane’s spell would hold at close range.

I lunged for the sword. “Everyone! To me!”

Daley was the first to understand. He slung Tynan over his shoulder. Taliesin had regained consciousness and Peter helped him to his feet. Miko was shaky on her feet but moving. I ran for the back of the cave where the Green Man was hiding in the shadows and the others followed. Glancing back, I was shocked to see Arthur following. He might not be able to see us, but somehow he could sense us. Morgan watched and did nothing.

“Goodfellow, get us out of here!”

There was a feeling of pressure—as if my ears had popped—and then I stumbled and fell. Rolling onto my back, my hands still clasped around Excalibur, I looked up at grey branches which hid the sky. We were on another Path. Depending on the Green Man was a gamble, but we were safe.

Goodfellow leaned down and offered me his hand, but I ignored it. “Why?” I demanded as I stood.

He dropped his hand. “I swore my own oaths to Arthur. I thought he would save the forest from the destruction of Man, but he only wanted control over the Paths. Still, as long as he lives, my oaths hold. When Morgan told me to take you to Arthur’s tomb, I couldn’t deny her, but I swear I didn’t know what she intended to do. I gave you Excalibur in good faith, as Viviane asked me to. I didn’t know the boy was the lock and Excalibur the key to raising the Earth King.”

Ice washed over me as I realized I was the one who had offered to exchange Tynan for Excalibur. I was the one who had set events in motion.

I freed Arthur.

“If you belong to Arthur, why did you help Boudica double-cross us both?”

Goodfellow’s eyes were no longer green, but grey with tears. “With Arthur sleeping, I thought I could gain the Lord of the Grey Land’s favor. I hoped he would have the power to free me from my oaths.” The Green Man straightened his shoulders and regained some of his strength. “I care nothing for the petty conflicts of men and magicians. I seek only to be free.”

I looked at the others.  All of them except Peter were bruised and bloodied. Daley kneeled on the ground with Tynan in his arms.

“Just get us home.”

“One moment, Robin Goodfellow.”

White shivers pulsed through me, but I turned to face Arthur. I’d forgotten he could travel the Paths.

The Earth King strode towards us, but gasped when he saw Tynan. “My son?”

“That’s close enough,” Daley warned and I heard thunder somewhere far away; we must be near an exit off the Path.

“My son is injured! He needs my help!”

As Arthur’s plea tore at my heart, I saw him and I understood. We were all filled with paradoxes and inconsistencies, strengths and weaknesses, powers and disabilities—so many colors. Not Arthur. Arthur was pure. He was amethyst and not a single speck contaminated that magnificent, royal hue. His great power was a singleness of being and purpose that promised he could force even destiny to his will.

My soul cried out to accept him as my lord, but Tynan’s blood on Excalibur held me firm. Still, I understood Morgan and Goodfellow better.

I bet Hitler was that same damn color.

Lifting Excalibur, I stepped forward and pointed it at Arthur. Even though it was blood-stained and twisted, Arthur’s face changed and I knew he recognized it. He looked into my eyes and I knew he saw me too.

No one will ever make the mistake of not seeing me again.

“Who are you?” And what are you doing with my sword?”

The metal was heavy and my arm shook, but my voice was steady. “Who I am doesn’t matter right now. What I’m going to do to Excalibur does.” Actually, I had no idea what I could possibly do to Excalibur, but the flick of the king’s eyes towards the twisted trees off the Path gave me a hint. I raised Excalibur as if I meant to throw it and Arthur lurched towards it.

“Stop! I’ll give Excalibur to the trees. You could try going after it, but I don’t think you’d ever find your way back to the Path again.”

Arthur folded his arms across his chest. “There are some in my time who would cut off your hands for daring to touch a king’s sword—even the ruin of it—but it is not my time, is it.” It wasn’t a question and he didn’t wait for me to reply. “Morgana would spare me the truth, but now that I am fully awake, I can feel it for myself. The earth has changed. I am its king and I know its nature. Time has flowed out like wine from a broken bottle while I slept.”

“At least you’re taking it well.” Excalibur’s weight was almost unbearable and beads of sweat slid down my back.

Taliesin approached and bent his head. “Arthur.”

“Bard,” Arthur greeted him. “Let me see my son.”

Taliesin hesitated and then nodded. Scowling but obedient, Daley carried Tynan to Arthur.

The king frowned as he examined the wound. “What did this terrible damage?”

He was asking Taliesin, but I waved the sword to get his attention. “What do you think?”

Arthur ignored me as he touched Tynan’s face with a gentle finger. “Ah, blood magic. I understand. My son tried to kill me, but he has paid the price for his betrayal and erased his dishonor with his blood.” He straightened with a sigh. “Sleep deep, my son.” He glanced at me. “You can put Excalibur down. You are weary and I have no interest in it at the moment. Though I would not have it destroyed or lost, it no longer has the power to aid me.”

I hated that he could see my weakness, but I put the sword down with relief and flexed my aching arm. Arthur chose that moment to take what he wanted.

Not Excalibur.

Me.

CHAPTER FORTY ONE

My brain went blank the way it does when you dive into cold water and it took me a moment to realize Arthur had grabbed me and somehow moved us to another Path. I braced for an attack, but he released me and walked away. “Keep up. We have only minutes before the Green Man finds us.”

When I didn’t move, he returned and arched an eyebrow at me. “Despite Taliesin’s presence, you seem to be the power behind the forces opposing me. Do you not want to know the truth?”

I haven’t had the truth since the day my birth mother dumped me with Viviane.

He seemed to read my hunger for the truth in my face. “Yes, I thought so.”

“I need to get back to the others.”

“You are worried about my son,” he guessed, “but Mordred is as good as dead. I have seen many wounds on the battlefield and his is mortal. I promise you though, time passes strangely on the Paths and you will see my son before the end.” With a courtly gesture, he invited me to precede him.

I shook my head. “Forget it. I don’t trust you.”

He flushed as if I’d hurt him, but then he chuckled and I felt my own cheeks grow warm. “How strange this time must be that you do not recognize the honor I was according you. However, it is indeed easier to converse walking side by side.”

I looked up at him; he was even taller than Tynan. “And why would you honor me?”

Arthur laughed again. “My long sleep may have rendered my mind dull, but I am beginning to recover. Though it fills me with great surprise, I recognize in your features the echo of my former mentor’s. I called him Merlin. You are kin to him in some fashion.”

“You could say that. I’m his daughter.”

Arthur stopped dead in his tracks. “Why, the old dog . . .” He immediately sobered. “My memories are addled and out of order. I am forgetting the true identity of my false friend.”

“It’s OK. I’ve never even met him.”

We began walking again. “You are royal and I accede you honor again. Who is your lady mother?”

“I don’t know. Viviane raised me.”

Arthur was silent for a moment. “The Lady of the Lake betrayed me and became my enemy.”

I shrugged. “Maybe she had her reasons. It doesn’t matter now. She’s dead.”

The king shook his head. “What a strange tale you hint at, but Morgana will tell it just as well. I have not brought you to the Path of Time to waste it.”

“Time?”

“As I examined the body of my son, I saw that he has aged only a few years. Mordred knew the Paths almost as well as Goodfellow and his kin. He must have come this way, though I do not know how he managed it. Other than Goodfellow and myself, I know of just one other who could travel the Path of Time. Her name was Guinevere, but she would not help my son.” Arthur didn’t know his story was known throughout the world and that I knew the name of his wife.

“This Path seems the same as the other one.”

“If you have the gift for it, you can feel the subtle differences.” He gestured for me to hurry. “Quick, I sense the Green Man has found our trail and there is something you need to see.”

Arthur’s strides were almost twice as long as mine and I was almost running to keep up with him when he came to an abrupt stop. “We are here.” The Path divided and passed under two archways made from the entwined branches of the trees. Beyond them both, light flickered.

Arthur pointed to the right. “Mordred must have traveled that way and into your time. Can you feel it? I have tried to pass its gate before, but have always been denied.”

“His name is Tynan now.” I took a step forward, heart pounding. I recognized this place.

“Another name for another existence.” He sighed. “I wish I could have left him to it, truly I do, but my son has followed his fate to its inevitable conclusion. Follow me.” Arthur passed under the arch on the left, and as I followed him, the light changed without warning.

An unfamiliar world lay before me. To say it was grey would be like saying the ocean was blue—right and wrong at the same time. It was grey, but it was also gleaming silver, flashing chrome, glittering obsidian, and soft dove. Shadowed hills rolled under a stormy sky and fleeting shades of rose, powder, and moth-wing green faded in and out of the scene like mirages. It was all so very beautiful.

And so very, very wrong.

“The Grey Lands,” I whispered.

“Yes. Though this is the Path of Time, for me it will only show this one scene. You are looking upon the place as I first did when I was brought here by the man I knew as Merlin.” Arthur stretched his hand out and the scene wavered and resisted. “I was completely enchanted. We called it Avalon for the pale pink apples that grew in the orchards and thought it was an island because of the ring of mist surrounding it. And then we thought it was the underworld when we began to sense the taint of evil hidden in its heart. Can you feel it?”

I swallowed. “Yes.” It was like a pale flower growing out of a rotting corpse.

Arthur nodded. “Good. Not everyone can, not at first. I freed Morgana, but there are thousands more who languish here and I cannot abandon them.”

I reminded myself that Tynan was dying and turned away from the bewitching scene. “Maybe they don’t want to be freed.”

“It does not matter what they want. I will do what is best for them. That is what a king must do.”

Did it ever matter to Viviane what I wanted? Did it matter to Taliesin? What about the mother who gave me up to them?

Arthur was right about the Grey Lands—they were rotten at the core. Maybe someone did need to do something about it, but not this amethyst fanatic. I wasn’t going to let him decide the fate of both my worlds.

Because I knew I belonged to the Grey Lands the moment I saw them.

“I’m going to stop you,” I muttered.

Arthur turned. “So you are his then? Your father’s?”

“I don’t belong to anyone.”

He dismissed me with a wave of his hand. “Each of us is bound to something or someone.”

“I’m going to stop you,” I repeated, louder this time.

Arthur laughed, shaking his head. “I am sorry for my rudeness, but you are a child. Not even Morgana can stand against me and there is no one more powerful save her brother. I am the Earth King. I will defeat Cernunnos, and then through blood and marriage, this world and Avalon are mine. But since you value choice, I will honor the nobility of your blood by offering you one: join me or die.”

There was movement behind me. I cocked my head to the side as if considering. “Thanks for the great offer, but I’ll pass. Oh, and I’d be careful who you say you’re married to. Basically everyone knows you already have a wife.”

Arthur was fast, but I was faster. I blinked to center myself and fire fuelled by anger leapt from my hands and flared between us. The last thing I saw before Goodfellow grabbed me was Arthur’s astonished face and the reflection of flame in his eyes.