The druid saw by himself at the banks of the pond, with his sight on the water surface. He held a long stick which he swirled on the water, making ripples on it. He drew lines and then rudimentary designs before he pushed the stick further deeper. It was then the rippling on the water surface took its own course and formed a mini whirlpool. The whirlpool then rose up from the surface to a height of three feet before it revealed the impression of a face.
It was not any face but the face of a nymph.
One named Ninniane.
The nymph is one of the several guardians of the Lake. They are also known as the Lady of the Lakes.
“Merlin, you do know that your presence is not welcome in our realm. I would like…”
“Ninniane, I would like to seek your advice.” Merlin voiced out while he removed the stick from the pond waters. “I meant no harm but the new events may harm us all.”
“Merlin, we are the Ladies of the Lake and there are not many who can harm us.” Ninniane replied. “Unless we them to.”
“Morgause is back.” Merlin uttered in desperation. “She sought our death.”
“Morgause…..Sister….” Ninniane whispered the name. Morgause was one of them; the adorable youngest among the seven sisters. It was Morgause who brought them despair when she brought in Merlin then. She invited the druid into the circle and caused a rift between them. Morgause was banished and was never heard of until then.
“Morgause have invoked some ancient spells. I sensed it…” Merlin sighed. “If only I had stopped her then. We won’t have this issue now.”
“No, Merlin. You could not have stop her. She had learned new ones which are not of our family. We had to banish her.” Ninniane comforted the druid. “You were also misled by her.”
“No, Ninniane. I was ….” Merlin defended himself but the other motioned to him to silence.
“Don’t speak, Merlin. It was difficult times then, and we were all … caught in the web of deceit. You, me, and Morgause. A price we pay till today.” Ninniane turned away and then spoke. “You are not welcome, Merlin. Be gone.”
With that the Nymph dispersed into the standing whirlpool and then with it, the water receded to the calm water surface on the pond. Merlin looked at it and sighed. He knew that his past will not be that easily forgotten or forgiven. He had crossed the boundary then and will need to pay the price imposed.
“Druid, we have incidents on the wall.” Merlin turned to look at the one who called on him. It was Lancelot. “The dead are rising.”
It was after the druid have left, the warrior rode back to his hidden hideout. He had stayed hidden in one of the abandoned church by a small stream. It was near a village but that was also abandoned like the church. He could view the wall from the upper level of the church structure. It was his lookout to the land before the wall. He had arrived there expecting his squire; a younger lad of twelve to attend him but the later was at the lookout on the roof opening.
“Master Lancelot, there is trouble at the wall. I can see fighting.” Lancelot’s squire named Henri called out. It was that call which prompted Lancelot to ride towards the wall. He saw the four figures retreating with their weapons lined at two others. It was unusual for such as the retreating men were armed and outnumbered the other two. He figured the other two were of better skills but it was then he saw their movements. Those movements of the two were unlike a real man.
“Immortuos…” Lancelot muttered in the other language which he was proficient at; Latin taught to him by the monks. He had seen such figures in Normandy; the undead raised by the witches to haunt the villagers. He drew out his sword, Arondight will cut those undead and send them back to underworld.
“Die, you spawn of the devil!” Lancelot charged into the two undead warriors who have terrified the others. The sword held by Lancelot slashed downwards and cleaved off the head from the shoulders. It was the only way to kill these undead. He then kicked at the headless figure before he turned his mount to charge at the other. He did the same and then rode to meet the retreating warriors. He saw before him, were a group of men holding their prayers beads or anything spiritual to ward off any evil.
“Ghost, I have seen those …. Undead before. They are …can’t be killed.” One of the warriors uttered his defence for retreating.
“Take their heads and they will remain dead. Hurry up and leave. Your battle had gotten into their need for your coins.” Lancelot looked to the wall. He saw there the Equities were riding out towards them.
“You must leave now. I will try to distract them.” Lancelot told the others. He spurred his mount to meet the Equities. He counted five of them and there was no retreat. He has to fight them off.
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