A Story in 26 parts – Y
“Yes, yes, I’m ready!” shouted Albert, as he drew his felt cloak around his shoulders. He walked out from his room and into the main hall. All around, Elves and woodland folk crowded around – except for a clear path to the raised dias, where the large throne and a small bronze shape sat.
Albert walked slowly and carefully towards the dias. Left and right people were smiling, pleased to see him. He stepped up onto the dias, stood behind the bronze object and stopped. The silence hung in the hall.
“Friends!” Albert began “Yes friends – not subjects or people, but friends. Over the last few years you have seen much that I have not; you have experienced much that I can only dream and reflect upon. I have seen the waters that have covered this kingdom, I have seen the destruction that the Aquanauts and Spartanites have brought upon you… and I am aware of my own actions upon you.
“But now I stand before you – and stand behind this, the foot imprint of the first Elf King. Like my predecessors before me, I too stand in this shape to recognise that I am continuing a line of sovreignity that has lasted many, many years – and that I should not do anything to anger the ancestors that have gone before us.
“Between us all we have much to rebuild, much to learn. We need to re-educate our young to our Elfin history – and leave nothing out and distort that history so that people will see the actions, good and bad, understand why those actions were taken – and learn from them. We need to train our men – and women – in the arts of gardening, herblore and warfare – so that we can provide for our people now and prepare for possible threats later – but hope that the years to come will be both peaceful and fruitfall.
“But there is also one last thing that I must do before I properly become your King – I must complete my journey. When I first came back to these shores, I was told that the Elfin Princess was still alive and in my heart I know that to be true. She is still somewhere – and I think that the Spartanites took her from the kingdom to hold her hostage. So with your permission – I must rescue your princess. I leave you with Rashmir – the Kalphite Queen – with whom I place my trust.”
“But what about Merlin?” someone called out from the hall. “Where has he gone?”
“Merlin has paused on his way” replied Albert “He is not dead, but is resting until we have a dire need for him again. Tory and Arthur have returned Merlin to his Cave of Dreams and left clear instruction on how to call him again.
“So now, as your King I thank you for the honour that you have bestowed upon me. I intend to return as soon as I can, but know that my trust in Rashmir will not be misguided. I wish you all peace and happiness”.
With that, Albert stepped down from the dias and walked out of the hall.
“To business then” said Rashmir “What I need is…”
A Story in 26 Parts – X
Xoanon* were carved to represent Merlin’s sleeping body and placed at his feet.
Albert stood over Arthur’s body and raised Albion high above him. He closed his eyes and started to speak – but no intelligable words could be heard. Sparks started to come from the end of the sword.
“What are you doing?!” cried Rashmir and started to run forward.
“STAND BACK” came a very un-Albert voice; much deeper, darker and more powerful than any had heard before. The sword was now visibly glowing, the blade going through all the colours of the rainbow. The blade then turned black – and Albert turned the blade so the point rested a few centimetres above Arthurs’s body. Arthur’s lifeless body jerked up onto the blade like it has received a huge jolt of electricity; as it flopped back Arthur gasped for air.
“He’s alive!” cried Rashmir “You must do the same to Merlin!”
“NO” came the un-Albert voice. “MERLIN MUST REST UNTIL HE IS NEEDED AGAIN. TROY AND ARTHUR WILL CARRY MERLIN HOME”
“What!? With him?! No way!” and Troy started to turn.
“TROY. YOU AND ARTHUR NEED TO DO THIS WORK. THE GREAT BOOK FORETOLD IT. YOU WILL FIND PEACE AND BROTHERHOOD AT THE END OF YOUR JOURNEY”
“And how will we find ‘home’ then – is there a map?”
“ALBION IS THE COMPASS. IT IS NOW CHARGED WITH ITS PURPOSE AND WILL GUIDE YOU” Albert handed the sword to Troy – who felt that the sword was now pulling him – like a dog on a lease.
“YOU AND ARTHUR ARE MERLINS GUARDS AND GUARDS OF ALBION. YOU MUST TAKE YOUR LEADER HOME NOW”
“urgh…” said Arthur “wha… who… tired…now…”
“NO TIME FOR TIRED. GO NOW” and Albert pointed at Arthur, who now felt more awake. As Arhur stood, so Albert fell to the ground. Rashmir ran to his side “Are you okay”
“I think so… but we’ve got stacks to do. Troy, Arthur – I heard something speak through me; I also heard Merlin who said the same thing. Merlin said that when you get to your destination you will find the very things to help you become brothers once more”
They all said their goodbyes to each other – and left.
“So,” said Rashmir “it’s just down to us. What should I do then, Albert?”
*Xoanon – an archaic wooden cult image from Ancient Greece; not the Doctor Who villain.
Brands Hatch
(more pictures can be found on the Magpieschest website – follow the link on the right)
We met on Saturday and drove to Hopehill campsite, near Meopham. The weather the preceeding week had been hot and warm – so it was disappointing that the weather on Saturday was anything but.
Arriving at the site, we pitched the tents and then went to the Supermarket to get the buffet foods for evening. When we returned, we all headed off for a 6-mile walk. the weather didn’t really let up.
Back on site, we had our supper and then the Scouts pretty much disappeared into the tents (unfortunately we were nowhere near a fire pit, so we couldn’t have an open fire) – the weather had managed to get everything really damp and unpleasant.
Sunday was much better – and we headed to Brands Hatch to watch some club racing. Being a club race, rather than Superbike, we could get access to a whole host of locations including inside Druids Bend (which makes for excellent photo opportunities).
During the lunchbreak a couple of the Scouts even managed to gain access to the track – and were able to take pictures of themselves with the approach to Druids in the background!
After lunch, we invested another Scout into the Troop – welcome! It’s always pleasing to invest new Scouts into the worldwide family – and there’s something memorable about being invested somewhere unusual too.
Compass Hike
We all headed up to the local woods and broke the Scouts into patrols. Each patrol was then issued with a GPS, a compass and a route plan.
The route plan followed the footpaths and bridleways going through and around the woods, with compass directions and grid references supplied to assist. (The leaders had also been issued with maps… just in case)
In my group, we did end up coughing at appropriate turn points (after calling the patrol back as they walked past the turn 
). At the end of the hike though I think the Scouts had a good idea about how to use the compass and establish directions and bearings.
A Story in 26 parts – W
“What in this green earth was that about?” Rashmir’s voice carried clearly across the room.
“Dunno” replied Albert “but I hope that it doesn’t do that next time I take a bath…”
Rashmir walked to Bernice and kneeled down, turned her head to listen to her breath. She did the same with Merlin.
“Merlin’s still breathing, but Bernice seems to be dead”
As they stood, a ghostly white apparition stood up from Bernice’s body. Silently they watched as the white figure turned to a dark grey, stooped over – and the dark, hooded robe covered her face. She turned and walked away with the same speed that the other Guardians had left.
“She’s become a Guardian – we were too late! Arthur’s killed her!”
Troy walked forwards to his brother. “That’s mine” he said quickly and quietly picked up Albion. In the corner of his eye he saw one of the two Spartanites slowly drawing his sword. With the speed of a panther Troy turned to look at the Spartanite – who was now standing peculiarly still, the hilt of a dagger sticking from his chest. The other Spartanite turned – and Rashmir threw her dagger also.
“What is it about adventures that always require great swathes of people to die? Why can’t I just have a quiet life?” Albert thought.
Troy laughed “You, Albert, you have no idea who you are – do you? You are the Elf King!”
“But hang on” replied Albert “how is that so? When did we vote? Did I get a vote?”
Troy turned to his companion “You revealed yourself when you stood up to Arthur – and use the elfin magic in your breath to finally separate Arthur from the wicked Optavo curse that was contained within Albion. When you used the words the beam of light came from you and broke the links that were contained within that sword. In the same way that I would have protected the Optavo, so the Optavo protected Albion – making Arthur dangerous. If Arthur – or anyone in fact – had Albion AND the Optavo, it would have proved disastrous for everyone.”
“But what about Merlin? Is he dead?”
Troy looked down, then back at Albert. “That my friend is for you to decide. The words are within you, as indeed they are for…“ he turned to look at his brother “..him.”
Albert stroked his beard and considered. Arthur had been a loyal friend to him, but within the Hall something had changed – could he trust him. He started to look within himself – and he heard Merlin’s voice…
“Albert – listen. I know you have the power to bring me back to life; that is not my purpose now. You need to bring back Arthur. Between him and Troy you will have two brave warriors that will fight for your kingdom – and for good, even though it would seem against it. You also have Rashmir – a wise and respected Queen of her own lands and between you there is wisdom, knowledge and compassion to make all the land a peaceful and well-ruled nation. I need to be taken to my home – the caves by Llyn Dinasa – and the stone tablet rolled to cover the entrance. The caves – as you know – are also home to the Red and White Dragons; I will stay with them until they are needed once more. Send Arthur and Troy to do this – they will find rewards that will allow them to settle all their differences once and for all. Do this for our Elf Kingdom”
Albert blinked whilst he thought about what he had heard.
“What’s wrong?” said Rashmir, as Albert slowly walked towards the resting body of Arthur, laying next to Merlin.
“Troy” said Albert “Give me your sword. Give me Albion”….
