z.A Story in 26 parts – U – Z
U
Until that moment Janitor was sitting at the back, listening to the conversation between Troy and Merlin – remembering the same conversation that Merlin had already had with Troy’s father. Janitor was just starting to think that last time a Spartanite appeared when suddenly there was that crash…
The Spartanite got off the back of the dragon.
“Thank you Ernisto – your village is once again yours as agreed”
“Much obliged” replied Ernisto “but try and cross me and the might of Merlin, the Aquanauts and any other friends you may call upon will not protect you”
And with that Ernisto unfurled his wings and flew away.
The Spartanite strode towards Troy. “You – Elf king. You have something that was taken from our lands many, many years ago. You don’t now how to control it, or what it can really do. I note that Merlin has once again visited to try and remove it – I suspect for his own ends. Now give me back my Optavo”
Troy laughed hard and loud “Who are you – what are you doing in MY kingdom and making demands.of MY time and MY devices?”
The Spartanite replied “My name is Sparta. I spoke to the previous Elf king, and to your father before that, and to his father about the Optavo… yes Troy, I know who you are and your blood line, even if you don’t. I see the confusion in your eyes…”
Troy stood. “I’ve told Merlin and I’ve told you. You cannot have the Optavo. It is mine, and I will die before anyone takes it from me”
Sparta looked at Merlin. “He’s looked at the Optavo. It now controls him – like it controlled the last one. This is why we had to kill the last one”
“… but I thought I’d killed the Elf King?!” cried Albert as he walked through the doors of the Great Hall.
“Troy? Is that you?” Said Arthur.
“STAND BACK ARTHUR. YOU STOLE ALBION FROM ME – YOU ARE JUST A THIEF. YOU HAVE COME FOR THE OPTAVO AS WELL – LIKE THIS THING HERE”
Troy drew his sword. Sparta drew his sword – and on instinct Arthur drew his. Albert just stood there. He looked at Janitor (who looked back) and they drew their swords also.
Merlin stood in the centre between them all.
“Gentlemen – please put down your swords. I don’t like sword fighting unless necessary – and right now it isn’t. Troy – show willing, put yours down first.” Slowly, the swords were lowered and sheathed again. Merlin turned to Troy.
“There is a test I need to subject you to. Answer me this riddle…. The sun should stand over the left, right or Third Stone for the Solar Equinox?”
Troy stood still. Albert, Arthur, Janitor all looked at each other – what stone?
Troy’s eyes glassed over. He spoke – but in a more whispy voice…. “the sun will not stand over the stone. The sun will shine though the eye stone and cast it’s beam onto the Heel sto…”
Quick as a flash Merlin drew his golden sickle – and with a slice made a cut motion above Troy’s head. Troy fell to the ground. Janitor rushed to Troy’s side “Merlin – what have you done?”
Merlin replied “I have cut the link between Troy and the Optavo. He is now able to rationally give it up to whomever. Sparta – why do you need it – what will you do with it?”
Sparta replied “My people have looked after the Optavo for centuries until a dragon stole it from our kingdom. Adventurers stole it from him, and in turn it was passed from person to person – typically through the death of the owner. We would want to secure it again to protect the kingdoms from this device. It would be stored in the Pandora Box.”
Merlin stroked his beard. “Janitor – whilst Troy rests, get the Optavo. Put it in your helmet and bring it to Sparta. Do not, whatever you do, look directly into the centre eye of the Optavo. Whilst I could protect Troy I doubt I could protect you.” Janitor nodded. Merlin continued “Sparta, go with Janitor. I trust that you will only take your Optavo – nothing else. Once you have that, take one of the horses and return to your lands.”
Sparta turned to ensure that all could hear. “Merlin and everyone in this Great Hall. When you first met us we had the Elf Kingdom in our control. This was because of the Optavo – it had taken control of the kingdom and we needed to get it back. Because of the control that it had taken we had needed to bring the Aquanauts with us. That pact has now completed and the Aquanauts have returned to their kingdoms. Once the Optavo is in my hands you have my word – as ruler of the Spartanites – that we will not attack again over this matter. I recognise the sovreignity of the Elf Kingdom as not being under Spartanite control. I wish you all gods speed.”
And with that Janitor and Sparta left the hall.
Arthur looked at his brother. Troy looked so calm, so peaceful. Would he remember the past – would he remember Albion?
Sparta. Image by Joshua
” Uuughhh! ” exclaimed a voice ” why do things have to get umm? uhhh? well you know what I mean! ” Everyone looked around, a small but large black figure was standing on the chandelier on the ceiling and not only that , but he was holding a bow and a quiver of arrows and he had a grey hood on so no one could see his face. As Merlin looked around he noticed that
there were more hooded figures in the hall , each with a bow and full quiver of arrows , they were every where, on either side of the door, arond the edges of the hall, on the window ledge , on the ceiling abseiling by ropes tied with clove hitches
to pillars and bars.
It took a while for Merlin to realise that he was surrounded and when he did he noticed that most of the hooded figures were
closing in on them and that they were being gathered up like sheep. Just then a boom echoed from Merlins Wand (I thought it might of been a good idea of him to have one) and sparks flew everywhere ” fire!!!! all!!!!! Arrows!!!!!!!!! ” and Merlin fell to the floor…………….
V
Very slowly Albert looked towards the hooded creature
“Who ARE you? Where did you come from? Why do I .. ow! That hurts!”
“Careful – those darts are dangerous” replied the hooded man
“But why are they hovering like that – why haven’t they embedded into us” said Albert
“CONTROLLUS DESCENDUM” Merlin’s voice commanded the Hall – and then quickly added “everyone, cover yourselves!” The arrows then fell slowly to the floor like wooden snowflakes.
Merlin stood up. “Albert – meet the Optavo guardians. When I released Troy from the control of the Optavo, the Optavo automatically called for the souls of the bodies that it has claimed in the past. The guardian with whom you are talking to … is Arthur and Troy’s father!”
Troy snuffled on the ground, then rolled to a sitting position. “Father? Where?”
Merlin responded slowly “Troy – this is your father, Uther. Like you he too fell under the spell of the Optavo – when you descended to that dark place the Optavo found you and made its soul connection to you. I broke that link so you are no longer in its powers. I believe that Sparta still holds the Pandora Box, which will contain the evil within the Optavo. But Sparta must move quickly – with the guardians here now I know that the Optavo will call to them.”
“But can’t we stop them?” asked Troy
“Yes” said Arthur – and he turned towards the guardian “Father – who is the leader of this group?”
The Guardian drew back his hood. The black shapes swirled into a vague, whispy head – but this was no solid thing “My son – you have grown; you and Troy. I remember when I had to leave you in foster care with Merlin – who has taught you well in so many things; Merlin – you have my thanks. You ask me who the leader is; I kneel before you as that soul”
Arthur stroked his blue face. “I thought that would be the case, Guardian…” quickly and without warning Arthur swung the sword – not downwards but up, raising Albion above his head, but slicing through the Guardian as he did so. The Guardian’s mists swirled before dispersing to the air. The whispered cries could be heard as the other guardians also misted and disappeared
“Arthur – that was father – what have you done?!” cried Troy He stood with his hand on his sword again. Merlin stepped between them.
“Stop Troy – Arthur just did as he was asked. When you were boys I knew of the Optavo and knew that you – Troy – would become enchanted by the Optavo. I also knew that your sword, Albion, would be your soul protector. But if you were to fall to the Optavo you would not be able to protect your soul – so you needed a guardian… and the best person would be Arthur. So we arranged the competition – and arranged that you would lose your sword to Arthur. If Arthur had not had the sword at that point and taken your fathers soul you would have become a Guardian yourself – and would have become the leader; your knowledge would be far greater than that of your father. It was only by chance that I managed to stop the arrow heads from hitting anyone – or they too would have become soul guardians…”
“… in that case, we may have a problem Merlin” Everyone turned to see Bernice, stood there. “I seem to have not ducked in time – and look… “ she looked down as everyone else did, to see a single arrow embedded in her leg.
“Merlin, do I have much time left?”
“Viciously! ” bellowed a dark voice and everything went black.
Albert woke up feeling lots of pain in his head as if someone had thrown a metal block at him. He looked round and saw a body on the floor ” Bernice! ” he cried ” Bernice! are you Ok! ”
He could not take it in , ” this is not happening!!!! ” he shouted and then noticed that another body was on the floor just a few feet from Bernice ” Merlin!!!!!! , NNNNNNNNOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ” now this was it , he could not loose two of the people closest to him this easily without knowing how they had died.
Just then a dark voice came from somewhere ” They will not wake, ” Albert turned around and noticed that he was in a cathedral with a humungous glass roof inside it. Then he realised who the dark voice had been. He noticed Arthur
standing there holding a sword covered in blood and a pair of spartinite standing beside him. ” They put up quite a fight but they finally let their guard down ” Arthur no! ” began Albert
but Arthur cut across him ” And now you shall fall with them.
Arthur raised his sword. Albert then felt a power inside him as if it had been waiting there for ages and now it was ready to be free. Then without knowing it he said the most powerful magic
in existence. ” BOOLOO!!!!! SAKKKA!!! ” A beam of light flew from Alberts hand and Arthur sprang backwards , hit a wall and
passed out………
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”….
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.
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…”
Z
Zebras ran fast along the plain, chased by their eager carnivorous attackers. Albert slumbered in front of the TV, the cup of tea slowly pouring its contents onto the floor.
Rashmir walked past and kicked his feet. “Hey sleepy-head” she said “weren’t you going to design something or other?”
“Huh wha?” replied a very sleepy Albert. he drew himself up in the chair, wiping the puddle of tea with his bare sock – the big toe sticking out getting slightly burnt on the hot tea.
But something wasn’t right, there was a nagging feeling that he had been doing something, or going somewhere, or finding someone… He shook his head and stood up. As he walked across the living room to the kitchen, Rashmir popped her head round the door frame.
“Albert – did you find her?”
“Who”
“Your Elfin princess. You talk in your sleep you know! Oh… and I am definitely taking up the course in advance swordsmanship – Troy sounds like a real hunk!”
Albert grabbed a cushion nearby and threw it at Rashmir – who ducked behind the door, laughing as she went. Albert laughed too. It had all been a dream then, whatever it was – and it had sounded like fun too. It was such a shame he’d missed it, being asleep and all.
As he crossed into the kitchen, something caused him to turn and look up.
The roof was being lifted off….
“Albert, I need your help – the Elfin Kingdom is under attack…”
THE END.
Authors note: As this is the 26th and final part to the story, I’d like to take the opportunity to thank Joel, Nandesh and especially Joshua for providing me with additional story line material – and the fun curveballs which made writing this so much fun.
