Mordred 16.1

16.

The Previous Realm

Merlin sat among them who have attended the feast called for by Keb, It was the gathering of the Serpents in their Great Hall. The Hall was in a large deep cave which could house a thousand guests but that feast then there were several hundred for there was no need for seating nor were all of them standing on the cave floor. There were many clinging onto the side of the cave walls by the nocks and cracks.

“It was never said that the Serpents were only of the slithering ones, but we have allies among us with the blood suckers, and the night creatures.” Keb was seated on the throne at the end of the cave. His throne was carved into the cave walls appearing like the hood of the raised neck of the striking serpent with its double long fangs that protruded from the top. 

The seat which the King of the Serpent sat on was shaped like the double forked tongue that formed the throne side seating to hold the arms. The King was dressed in the loose tunic and hugging pants tucked into the knee high boots. His body had healed when his strength recovered earlier but his heart still ached for Neheb. To the right side of the throne, the ally of the Serpents stood tall towering over the King. It was the blood sucking monster named by its namesake the Blood Prince. The Prince was a tall figure towering at over twice the height of man was clothed in the red cloak over the dark suit complete with the red cravat at the neckline. The Prince had his hair free flowing to the waist but his hands were covered with the dark gloves. The Prince was holding a chalice of blood in his left hand.

To the left side of the throne stood a monstrous figure of furry covered skin with the snort of the wolf with the fang bared on the half opened jaws. The figure stood on its feet unlike its cousin the wolves, but its lower limbs were bended like that of the wolf. Its height was the height of man, but the claws on its upper limbs was exceptionally long at half the length of the limbs.

“You have assembled a great audience for me.” Merlin smiled at the Serpent King.  “All the better for me to know who I am to slay.”

“Slay? I doubt you could kill all of us here. Our actual numbers are larger than this whole Hall but I will admit these are the leaders. In the past years, we have been gathering more of our followers by choice or by force. We numbered now also among the people of the other realm. ”

“Fabulous speeches Keb but tell me the truth of my calling.” Merlin sounded irritated of his idling then. He had refused the drinks and food but his watchful eyes were storing the identities to his mind. “I am sure the Prince had more to do than stand there like your cur.”

That drew the wrath of the Prince who spread out his arms with the cape spread out behind him. From it, the flying cave flying reptiles flew out in the packs. The winged blood sucking dark creatures with their talons move on the sonar instinct flew towards Merlin. The later called up a magical shield but the creatures did not attack him.

“Call them back.” Keb calmly told the Prince. Without any sound, the Prince waved his arms and the dark creatures swept into his cape.

“Pardon the Prince, Merlin. Youth have their impatient manners unlike us older masters.” Keb assured Merlin. “He won’t act again without my command. After all, you are my guest.”

“Spare me your hospitality. Tell me of the Fallen, or fall before my sword.” Merlin warned the other.

“Merlin, we had one battle which neither of could win yet you wished to battle once more.” Keb reminded the other. “More to it, I have told you that you are my guest. On the Fallen, I will reveal all that you need to know.”

With a wave of his hand, a steel encased structure was brought in. The steel structure was designed like bird cage but the sides of the cage had the signs of the cross on it. Inside the steel structure was a Man. The figure stood up and then from its back the wings appeared. The wings spread out until it was twice the height of man with its top reaching the top of the structure. The figure was dressed in a white suit that was buttoned to the neckline with the sleeves all covered.

“Merlin, please meet the one of the Fallen. He is no ordinary follower but a leader among them. You may address him as Azrael, the Archangel of Death.”