Part 3

 Rhino snapped to standing on top of a pile. His axes were in his hands- very old comfortable weights. He felt tired, battle weary. The smell of death was all around him- each one he knew were his kills.

His Kills?

When?

Yet he remembered every kill, each blow, each death.

He looked quickly over himself. His armour was blooded but undamaged, a few scratches, a minor dent.

Then he saw the bodies, they were Elves. Hundreds, no thousands of them. The pile he stood on was about forty deep. He felt the satisfaction of a kill but not of a victory.

 Something was very wrong. He scrambled down the pile and onto the relatively clear ground between piles.

He  held his axes ready.

The meeting with King Arthur had been either cut short by the spirit or a fake. Arthur had tired to tell him something important, but it was fading. The idea that someone, Sir Kay(?) had been, was,  battling a spirit  was a section missing from Avalonian legend. It was a reminder how much they still did not know about Avalon.

His home.

Why was he here and not at home with the Lions?

Why, why was he walking though these killing fields?

*Your kills*

No. Not mine. Never. Elves and Dwarves had often fought, but he did  not hate them. He slashed out.

"NOT HATE THEM" he roared. There was a wet sound behind him, he swung round and saw an arm fall to the ground. An anger filled him.

He was here because of the Ogre.

The Damm Ogre. Who was he to take him from his home. Was any friend worth this sort of sight?

*No.*

*Let your anger grow*

Ogres. His anger grew.

Ogres- they were evil, fanged monsters. They killed his friends. Made him kill Elves.

Battle lust filled him. Rhino went hunting for Ogre.

  

Dwarves.

It was Dwarves flaunt. He had followed a Dwarf. A Dwarf had brought him  t this place. Ellendain started running.

Then stopped. Lions. Lions run by a Dwarf. Dwarf friend. If Dwarf friend then why here?

 It took a while for his brain to solve the puzzle- one word exploded onto his mind.

OGRE.

They had followed an Ogre: a fanged, claw footed, furry Ogre.

He was the reason.

He was why he was not with the Lions.

Not Home.

Ogres.

Ogres had been killing his people for years, centuries. Ellendain set off again.

Ogres.

He was going to kill Ogres.

 

 Pound, Pound, Pound, Pound, Pound, Pound,

A door opened.

He ran through it.

*Hunger*

Food,

*Kill*

FOOD!

*Kill!!*

  

The landscape changed, the piles of dead fell away. In front of them was a clear plain. Once they entered it everything fell away- to all horizons there was nothing but plain. Desolation.

And each other.

They started walking.

  

Saturday night. Second night of the Parliament. The noises had returned to Camelot- clanking, roars, screams, and smoke had began to fill the castle. Smoke without fire. Several of the staff had left.

The Lions were uneasy, last night Demons had come to the Great Hall and throat slit the Prince Bishop and Lady Josephine. Demons looking for Sir Kain Redswift, one of the Defenders. Kain had not even been there, he had been with Three Chop Nick watching The Room. The Demons had carried poisoned daggers, a party led by Dr. Leech and the Healers had found a cure deep in the cellar complex under Camelot, but in the process had found a fur belonging to Ormardu- abandoned in the tunnels when they had carried him out of the ill-fated Spirit Quest. It had been a reminder to the Lions of all they had lost.

 The Quest to destroy the Sword of Wayland had been a success. The expedition led by Marcus Tarquinian had cast the evil sword into the Well of Tears removing its evil forever. But the price had been high- four dead, Oberon of The One, Darius of Shannock Gareth Dell, Jeremiah Wilkinson, a guest from the Weaponsmiths Guild, and Celestial, another Quest from the Death Jesters.

 The heavy tension in Camelot had worsened becoming a general depression.

 And today...... William looked down at the bottle.

"I'm glad you were not here friend" he signed. Today a group of Drow from the mines of Skcree had come to Camelot. Drow carrying the severed head of Panther, Cheetah’s bothered, and several others from the Children of Malar group. They had said their piece and then attacked without warning. With them they had brought a Death Knight, a construct designed to do one thing: kill. They had nearly lost Cheetah, Caradoc, and Parmenian, only quick action by the Stefan and Ramat had saved their lives. It had taken almost all the power of every Incantor in attendance to destroy the Death Knight. The only dead were it and the Drow, but all the magic users were now nearly out of power.

But.

But that had not been all today. A heavily armed expedition had set off down below to find the cause of the noises. Ewan McEwan, Marcus and Reaver of The One had organised it after the Drow attack- there had been to many tense warriors around for anyone to be comfortable. The party had found a new transport circle in the room Rhino had described as the place where they had met the spirit. Despite everything Ewan took a party though.

It had led to another realm below Avalon.

The realm of the Sleepers

 The writings the party found on the walls of the place told the tale. The five Sleepers were Knights of the Round Table- King Arthur’s Knights. The oldest of them was Sir Kay who had given his mortal life to fight an immensely evil spirit. The others were younger Knights. The writings were unclear but inscriptions suggested they slept round Kay and strengthened him in his fight- their tombs were arranged that way- their dreams, ideals, and beliefs fed Kay’s fight. Together the Sleepers kept Camelot and Avalon in existence as long as they did not wake.

 They had been awake.

 Mordred had been defeated at the Gathering, banished to the Void. When that had happened and his power was lost to the Chaos Army in Avalon it had been routed. Marcus' forces had wiped most of them out. Most, not all. Some had made it here. They had woken all but Sir Kay. That was the source of the noises, the Sleepers fighting with the Chaos Creatures to prevent them waking Sir Kay.

 Ewan's party had joined the fight and together they had temporarily routed the Chaos Horde. However the Sleepers could not return to their rest. The Chaos Horde had taken the four Elemental Cornerstones of Camelot, literally and magically the keystones of the Castle. Without them in place the Sleepers could not sleep, could not help Sir Kay, and Camelot would begin to fade, followed by Avalon itself and all living there.

 That alone was not the worst news. The Sleepers powers kept the Cornerstones within Camelot itself. The bad news was that the Spirit had awakened. It was the same Spirit that had taken Rhino, according to the Sleepers. It would be trying to get Rhino and Ellendain to kill its hosts mind to it could be free- only Sir Kay’s efforts prevented it doing so directly and fleeing Camelot. Without the Cornerstones to allow them to sleep and dream Sir Kay's strength would fade and he would lose. Everyone would lose.

 The Party had left the Sleepers guarding Sir Kay and headed for the surface. They told their tale at the End of the Open Parliament session. Immediately half present had demanded to hunt the Cornerstones. William had wanted to send them but Mole insisted on sending a message to Floris Brand, asking for his help. A part of Floris was Merlin, and if anyone knew how to defeat the Spirit it would be him. A tense debate and vote followed. Mole's proposal won, just. The Lions agreed to wait.

 And eat. The Castle staff had readied a banquet for this Parliament and it was ready. Reluctantly people had sat down to eat. Now they awaited William to bless the dinner, thank the staff, and start the procedures. But as the stood in the anti-chamber he couldn't. The bottle haunted him. A Lions banquet without Rhino........

 There was a knock on the door. He didn't answer.

It opened anyway- Anthony Flombard stuck his curly haired head round the door.

"Your Grace, they impatiently await you" William cursed himself. Think of the Lions first. He patted the bottle

"Later Friend" he said and turned to leave ignoring Flombard’s puzzled look.

  

Dwarf

Elf

*Enemy*

The two Warriors drew closer.

  

The food was brilliant, the wine excellent, but this was the quietest banquet ever. Depression hung over the room like a shroud. Even Parmenian's slurping as he drank his dinner seemed subdued. As the final course of cake was being cleared away the Hall doors opened. A cold wind blew in fluttering the candles. The staff stopped moving. Heads turned. Cheetah was on his feet.

  

Food

*Soon*

FOOD

*Soon*

Kill

*Soon*

KILL

*Soon*

 

 In the doorway was a women. A tall, broadly built Human women. She was dressed in heavy white furs and carried a plain wooden staff, its tip glowed bright white. She had flowing white hair and her face was sharp with piecing red eyes. The women moved with determination, each step she took into the Hall seemed like destiny at work. William could feel her power from the doorway, even Mordred did not radiate such power. As she moved down the room magic users jaws dropped. She stopped just in front of the high table, looked at the empty chair held for Rhino then turned to address the room. Her voice was deep, powerful, yet still feminine.

"Lions. I am Walker. I bring news."

  

*Closer*

The Warriors set their weapons ready.

  

The room was so quiet the wind could be heard rustling the trees on the far side of the courtyard.

"Then Welcome" William said standing. His deep voice tinny compared to hers. Without turning she nodded thanks.

"Rhino news?" asked Stefan.

"Yes". The Hall seemed to erupt in noise- but it was only the sound of the Lions leaning closer.

" I sensed the Sleepers awake. I felt the Spirit stir. The Sleepers have told me of your loss. Help I offer".

"Can you get wee Rhino oot?" Ma McEwan asked in her broad highlands accent.

"No." Faces fell across the room " I cannot. The Lions can." Puzzlement crossed two hundred faces.

"We needed a bridge. A link between where they are and here. A route for them to travel back on. This” she patted her glowing staff "is the bridge".

"How do we know you are not mealy another spirit here to draw us into danger?" cried Kain.

"You don't. But I offer help. Do you have a better plan?" there was no sarcasm in her voice but her words stung.

"No" said Kain quietly.

"You Lions need to find the Cornerstones, without them the Bridge or existence here is hopeless" William stood.

"Walker is correct. We need to search. Marcus, Ivan, Cedric, Ugluk, Reaver, Shawn, Red Mist, Sapphire, are your teams ready?" William felt better acting rather than reacting. There were confirmations from around the room.

"Hold on. What about this bridge. Don't you need anyone for that?" Caradoc cried. Walker quarter turned to face him.

"Yes. I do" A chorus of voices rang out with people offering themselves. Walker simply lifted a hand and silence descended again. "The people I need are already chosen. Cheetah of the Children of Malar, and Kain Redswift of the Defenders. You will form the bridge" Kain nearly fell off his bench, while Cheetah mearly looked bemused.

"Right, that done. Team leaders get your people. You know the brief, four teams to find the Cornerstones, four teams to find the locations they must go.  Time is short." There was a shuffle of chairs and people rose, effectively ending the banquet.

 Walker remained where she was. Kain and Cheetah came to her side. They received many jealous looks or cries of 'good luck' as the other Lions left. Ramat hesitated, then approached Walker.

"Need a Healer?" he asked nodding his part Elfish face in salute.

"No. Just the Cat and the Wolf" Ramat looked between  Cheetah and Kain, something awoke in his memory.

"Ah........" he said then the knowledge faded.

"Your race prevents you remembering it all" Walker said. For the first time Ramat cursed being a half breed. There had been something there...... He moved out of the Hall leaving only Josephine and William.

"What will you do?" Josephine asked.

"And why us?" Kain asked quickly. Walker smiled at him.

"You have been inside too long. You have forgotten Almur" Kains eyes went wide as he remembered.

"Wolf........" he whispered his defocusing.

"Wolf, Cat" William looked at each one " no normal race can get in...." he left the statement hanging. That’s where Rex the Castle cat had gone.

"Correct" Walker said.

"Will it hurt?" asked Josephine. Cheetah smiled at her.

"Only if we don't return" he said quietly.

"Can they travel from here? Or do you need to be upstairs?"

"No. They can travel from here." Walker seemed to sense something  "now in fact". She turned to them.

"You will need to remove your shells. Armour will be no use where you travel". Cheetah immediately starting stripping, discarding his clothes as if anxious to be free of them. Kain was a little more reluctant, but his duty to his pack was clear. The two were soon naked. Kain was chilly in the Great Hall but Cheetah seemed unbothered.

"I chose you because you are both touched. Been changed. Transformed by yours Gods. Cheetah most recently. He called on Malar to grant him aid when William and Josephine were throatslit. Malhar granted him the powers of the Cat.”

“Under that influence he attacked Shaggy McEwan as I recall” Kain said.

“The Cat is always the slowest to leave when called on. He is still with you. I will invoke him to join with you” Cheetah nodded to Walker who leaned the glowing end of her staff to his left arm- its glow touched his flesh and spread to surround him.

 Golden fur began to grow fast on his arm, then in thin patches all over him, it quickly grew into a thick pelt, black patches appearing Cheetah’s body became fuller, more muscular- but it was sleek not bulk. He threw out his arms and stretched growing a good foot, long claws curled out of the fingers on his paw like hands. The toes of his feet grew longer becoming claws, pushing him onto the balls of his feet, his legs changed allowing him to balance as his tail grew out. Cheetahs head changed slowest- fur crept up his neck, the ears elongating and pushing up onto his head as his forehead became sloped and a cats muzzle pushed out of his face. His eyes became deep green and slited. The cat man opened his jaws to reveal his fangs. He was complete.

 Cheetah purred as the light surrounding him faded.

 “You Kain” Walkers voice jerked him out of his staring “have been changed by your God before. Call him to you- he will answer while I’m here. I do not have to invoke him. The ability is yours.” Kain hid his surprise- yet he had always known hadn’t he.....

“Almur. Take me” was all he said.

 The Change was faster than Cheetah’s. Reddish-grey fur seemed to grow and cover him in an instant, his body became much taller and fuller, thicker and heavily muscular. Kain rolled forward onto the balls of his clawed pad like feet. As his tail grew out,  his head changed, the neck pushing forward as his lupine muzzle pushed out, his ears grew pointed and pushed up onto his head, his eyes became black and slited. He was complete.

 Kain growled in satisfaction.

 “You are ready” Walker turned to the cat “you bring speed and agility” she turned to the wolf “you bring strength and power” She addressed them both “but only together will you accomplish this task. The barrier will not let in those of the normal races. You are both far beyond that. But there’s is a risk- do not let yourselves fall to instincts. If you do the spirit will take you, and even I can not bring you back from that. Work as a team or you and us will die. Rhino, Ellendain, Ormardu, and yourselves must touch the staff willingly. Once they are you must invoke Avalon’s name and you will return” Walker held out her staff horizontally. “Take each end” they did. “Then begone on your task” The white light turned green, enveloped them and they were gone.

  

Weapons ready they met.

“Elf”

“Dwarf”

They stood and faced each other off. Eyes locked. A starting contest. A rumble filled the air and shook the ground, lightning cracked in the sky. They didn’t flinch.

  

The waiting began. William could do little but wait now. The eight teams were out there. Cheetah and Kain were away on their task.

 Shawn Robert’s team reported first- they had found the point where the Cornerstone inscribed with the symbol of Earth would go. Shortly after Marcus’s team returned with the Cornerstone inscribed with the Air symbol. They had defeated several Chaos creatures to do it with only minor wounds.

 An hour passed, slowly. There was a sickening lurch and smoke billowed forth for every corner, and hole in the Hall. Screaming, curses, and sounds of breaking things filled the air. A report was not long in coming.

“The way up to the roof, and the Castle gates have vanished. Replaced by sealed walls.” Anthony Flombard reported “we are sealed in the castle”.

“Kay is weakening” Walker commented, “Camelot begins to fade.”

 Ugluk’s team returned next. The Orc’s team had found the Fire Cornerstone. Time Passed.

  

The ground between them buckled and twisted. They had to fall away from each other to keep standing. The earth collapsed in on itself where they had been standing. The sky blackened, thunder rolled across the sky, lighting smashed into the pit that formed.

It appeared.

The Warriors prepared to fight.

  

The Plain stretched to the horizon. Nothing grew on it- no trees, no bush, no grass. A strong wind whipped their fur. A wind that carried no scent.

Almost like having my Human nose back thought Kain as he turned around slowly searching for a scent. Cheetah was on all fours on the ground sweeping at ground level. Kain held the staff, its tip duller here but he could still sense the power.

The plain reminded Kain unhappily of his homeworld Titan, whole areas resembled this when the Demon Krawwl had finished with them......

 Then he caught it. Faint, very faint. He drank deeply. Cheetah too was drinking it in. Rhino.

“RRRRhinooo” Kain growled.

“And morrreeee” Cheetah purred his tail twitching. He’s too comfortable Kain thought, Walkers warning ringing in his mind. To be trapped here.....

“Letssss Runnnn” Cheetah purred getting to his feet. Kain nodded his shaggy head and adjusted his grip on the staff.

They ran.

 

Communication was slowly lost with bits of the Castle; the garrison, the upper chambers, the kitchens. As soon as Sapphire and her team arrived with the Earth Cornerstone they joined with Shaun Robert’s to place the Cornerstone home. Red Mists group arrived back with the Water Cornerstone, Reaver right on his heels with the location for the Fire stone- his group went straight back out with Ugluk’s.

Two left.

William and the Incantors left performed a quick ritual to protect the Main Hall. With Walker here, and the now unflured Lions banners  acting as anchors this room would be sealed last.

  

Kill

*Now*

It appeared. Two small things looked at it.

*FOOD*

Friends?

*FOOD*

Hunger took control. Weapons were drawn.

  

The scent was stronger now.

They pushed their speed.

  

The Ogre.

Ten foot of solid muscle. Limbs like tree trunks. Massive fangs protruded from its mouth, a horn bigger than Rhinos arm jutted from its forehead, its skin the texture of leather hide. It wore a fur loincloth with a belt made up of Elf and Dwarf skulls, Its massive clawed hands held a hammer and a mace- each alone the size of Ellendain.

 It roared.

 *KILL IT*

They charged.

 

At some point Cheetah shifted to all fours and became fully animal. He sped off. Kain redoubled his efforts.

  

The Sleeping Chambers vanished. There was no longer a way to check on The Room.

Cedric’s team brought in the Water Cornerstone. Another two teams left.

Only Air remained.

  

It swung the mace at the Elf. The Elf dodged a blow that smashed a three foot deep hole in the ground. The Elf swung and connected with the monsters left leg, the Ogre roared but took no damage.

*KILL*

The Dwarf ducked under the Hammer and attempted to rip open the belly. He caught the belt and an Elf skull crumbled to dust, the Ogre swung his arm back and caught him, sending him sending him flying. He landed heavy and twisted his fighting arm as he skidded along the ground.

  

Ivan’s team arrived breathless. They had encountered heavy opposition and closed off routes. They had the final stone. The last teams left.

“Endgame” said Walker.

 Ugluk stood before the recessed symbol on the wall. He held the slightly glowing Fire stone. He took a pull on his tankard and slammed the stone into place.

A rumble shook the room.

Over the symbol appeared a Knight dressed in the ancient plate of Arthur’s Camelot. He nodded thanks at the party, closed his eyes and vanished. The symbol’s glow grew brighter than a touch.

Ugluk drained his tankard.

  

*What?*

 

 Rhino opened his eyes. Above him was a cheetah. He blinked, rolled out of the way, and got to his feet. Below him Ellendain was fighting Ormardu. He briefly saw a huge Monster and his hate bubbled, he moved towards it.

 A pain lanced though his leg. He whipped round axes ready. The cheetah spat a piece of his leggings from its mouth. Rhino stepped away. The cheetah opened its jaws and reared.

Changing.

Becoming Humanoid.

Cat-Man.

Rhino knew.

  

Cedric slammed the Water stone home.

 

 *No*

 The Elf slashed at the monsters belly. He cut him badly and hot blood spurted all over him. The Ogre recoiled.

*Kill it*

The Elf pressed the attack.

 Kain reached Cheetah- again a Cat-Man- Rhino stood with him, blooded and bruised.

“Kain” Rhino said.

“RRRRhinooo” Kain growled. He looked past Rhino at the battle behind him. Ellendain battled something. He moved slightly away from the others to see.

‘Cub play fight???’ Some thing  said. No- he fight for real, against....

*KILL IT* A Monster. A huge Monster. Something snapped. A pack mate was in danger.

The staff fell.

“Kain, no!” The wolf was gone. Kain was gone.

“Weee musstt stopp the fight” Cheetah growled baring his fangs.

  

*KILL*

The small thing was hit by the hammer. Its left arm stopped moving.

Pain. Left leg. Swing mace. A small furry red thing rolled to one side.

*KILL*

  

Marcus slammed the Air Stone Home.

  

*Kill the Shell. FREE ME*

The Elf moved in again, ignoring the furry thing. He connected with an arm. The Mace fell, just missing a Dwarf.

Dwarf?

*KILL THE OGRE. NOW*

He moved for the monster again.

  

The whole castle was shaking. William could hear breaking things. Only the Hall remained unsealed.

  

The Wolf recovered and again charged the Monster.

*KILL*

*KILL IT AND GET ME FREEDOM* The Wolf attacked.

Something jumped in the way. Gold and black it hissed at him.

Cat.

The Wolf went for it, it moved fast, but he just caught its tail, he twisted and jumped for its neck.

Cat and Wolf went rolling over, claws slashing.

 Rhino moved behind Ellendain, using the flat of his axe he hit the Elf.

Ellendain crumbled to the ground.

  

Sapphire slammed the Earth Stone home.

  

Outside Ormardu’s Den the air grew hot. Three Chop Nick and Wildcat were pushed back against the heat. The outer wall buckled.

 

The bubble burst.

 

Ormardu’s Den exploded. Camelot shook to its foundations. Every light source went out. William watched a singed cat fall past the Hall windows.

A scream echoed through Avalon. From north to south it echoed. The Sky turned blood red. Animals stopped moving, the rivers stopped moving, everything stopped Being. The Land simply froze. Avalon shuddered and snapped back, the scream died away. The last chaos creatures clapped their appendages to hearing orifices as their last hope died. In the Mines of Skree the Drow who killed Panther had reason to doubt their actions.

  

In the Great Hall of Camelot an armoured Knight appeared over the dais. His body was youthful and muscular, but his eyes were centuries old.

“Sir Kay” William breathed, The Knight seemed to see past the Hall. His voice carried to all in Camelot.

“He is defeated. The Sleepers Rest. Thank You.”

“Where is Rhino?” demanded Caradoc. Sir Kay pointed to the area between them and him.

“Deliver” he commanded.

Nothing happened. Sir Kay looked at Walker. Together they shouted,

“DELIVER”.

Nothing. Walker looked pale. Sir Kay closed his eyes.

  

The scream echoed through their minds. The plain shimmered.

*Noooooooooooooooooooo* Then it was gone.

Ormardu jerked like a puppet cut from its strings, he began to fall, Rhino grabbed him and lowered him. His black Ogre eye locked  with Rhinos. The Dwarf saw something, someone, else there.

“We must go” The Ogre said. Ormardu pulled himself to his feet with a strength he should not of had. Rhino watched him walk to the staff and pick it up. Closing his eyes he pointed it at the rolling fighting ball of fur.

“Enough”. They stopped rolling, Cheetah on top, he jumped away from Kain, who \also jumped to his haunches.

“We must go”. Ormardu said again. The Cat and the Wolf blurred slightly then were half people again.

 Rhino went to check on Ellendain. The Elf was in a bad way. A broken arm and many bleeding wounds. Rhino placed his hands on Ellendain’s chest and called on Malar to help. His hands became larger and grey, his forearms bulked. Ellendain’s wounds closed and his breathing became regular again. Rhino closed his eyes enjoying the feeling, he teetered on the point of letting Malar take him completely.

A hand touched his shoulder. Cheetah looked down at him

“Nottt furrr youuu, yett” he purred. Rhino reluctantly took his hands from Ellendain. The Elf stirred. Rhino watched his enlarged forearms return to normal.

A rumble echoed across the plain. Huge black walls appeared at the horizons and arched over the sky, it grew dark. The walls began to move inwards. The Wind became a gale.

“This bubble is collapsing.” Ormardu shouted.

“Then lets go” Ellendain was groggy but awake. Only minor bruising remained. Ormardu gave the staff to Kain

“Invoke it” he ordered. Kain took it and held it horizontally. The tip pulsed randomly.

“Weee must all grabbb holddd” he growled. One by one they grabbed the staff.

“We musttt invoke the nammeeee of Avalonnn”  Cheetah shouted over the wind. As one they shouted

“AVALON”

  

“We must be together in this “ Sir Kay informed the Lions “you need to call them back”.

“Together- Rhino, Cheetah, Kain, Ormardu, Ellendain, Lions” William punched the air with each name. All over Camelot Lions picked up the chant.

“Rhino, Cheetah, Kain, Ormardu, Ellendain, Lions”

“Rhino, Cheetah, Kain, Ormardu, Ellendain, Lions”

“Rhino, Cheetah, Kain, Ormardu, Ellendain, Lions”

“Rhino, Cheetah, Kain, Ormardu, Ellendain, Lions”

The chant went on

And on.

And on.

  

A small ball of light appeared in the air before the dais. The Lions shouted louder. The groups out at various locations magically appeared in the room, the chant grew louder. Walker joined in. The ball expanded.

And expanded.

And expanded to fill the entire speaking space. Sir Kay pointed at the ball.

“NOW” he said even above the chant.

“.......LIONS!!” the sphere burst, the blinding light flooded the room, the Lions averted their eyes. Walker smiled.

  

The Chant ended.

In the space stood Rhino, Cheetah, Kain, Ormardu and Ellendain. They faced Sir Kay.

The ancient Avalonian Knight nodded in salute at them.

“Thank You” he said, closed his eyes and faded. Kain leaned back his head and howled in victory. They turned round to face the Lions. Walker stepped forward and took her staff.

“Thank You” she said. Ellendain was staring at her.

“But your......” she smiled at him as the memories flooded into him.

“Yes. I am an Old One”

“But your Legend!” Ellendain cried.

“So is Camelot. And so are the Lions” she turned to the silent room.

“They are home. Your home is safe. Tell them who you are. Tell me who you are.” None needed prompting.

“LIONS!!!!”

 

The cry was power. All over Camelot broken things became fixed, shattered windows repaired. One very lucky cat jumped to her feet and scampered for the kitchens. Every door and window reopened. The sun shone in.

There was a pause.

 “I’m hungry” said Ormardu. Laughter echoed thought out Camelot.

 

END

Read the Epilogue

Back to Stories Page
Back to Home Page