I usually post excerpts from my novel on Sunday, but I have been unable to do so lately, so I just decided to post it today.
Lancelot and the Tides of Time may be purchased at ...
Chapter 7
Merlin stood at the mouth of a cave and looked
across the water to the shore on the other side. He watched a
form lying still in the sand.
“That’s him?” The voice rumbled in his ears and his
head.
“That’s him.”
“He looks kind of puny. Not the sort who will write
pages in history.”
“You and I both know about looks.I look like a
foolish old man and you–“
“I know. Look like a murderous monster who
pillages villages and eats children.”
Merlin laughed. His companion chuckled as well as
it could.
“So what it is you want me to do exactly?”
“It’s simple, Rithrell. He’ll want to walk along the
shore. I don’t want him to go that way. See the path that
leads up into the hills and the forest. I want him to take
that.”
“Why don’t you just talk to him?”
“He’s not ready to see me yet.”
“I’m not sure what that means exactly, but I will trust
you, Merlin. He paused. “Your boy is moving.”
“Okay, my friend, do your stuff. But don’t get too
carried away.”
On the beach, Lancelot stirred. He shook his head
trying to pull his thoughts together. Finally, he remembered
what had happened to him, so he sat up. He looked around
and saw Ahna’s staff at his side. When he picked it up, new
grief swept through him.
He cried. He hid his head in his hands and wept like
a baby. All the grief and sorrow for Ahna, his father, his
kingdom, and especially his mother, flooded him at once.
Only after several minutes could he force himself to
stand. He looked around him. He stood on the shore of a
river that twisted and turned. On the far shore, rock bluffs
towered over the river. Off to his side, hills covered with
dense undergrowth rose up. He could barely discern a path
that led up and out of sight. The shoreline on his side of the
river was flat and smooth. Lancelot guessed that sooner or
later the river would lead to a city. Since he had absolutely
no idea where the Lady had deposited him, he elected to
take the shore.
He leaned on her staff for a second and took a deep
breath. Then, he walked forward.
A rumble filled the air. Lancelot looked left and
right, saw nothing, but then looked up. A huge, winged
beast screeched and dove toward him, its form slicing
through the air as easily as a sword slices through flesh.
He ducked as the beast swooped low over him; a ball
of flame came from its throat and exploded on the ground in
front of him. The creature pulled out of his dive and
swooped back into the air. Lancelot jumped up and started
forward. Sensing his movement, the beast circled and began
another dive. Within seconds, it was upon him. Lancelot
dove aside as another sulfurous blast shot from the monster.
It sailed just over him and exploded on the ground. It
climbed again.
Lancelot looked at the ground in front of him and
gasped. The fire from the beast had melted the sand until it
was more liquid than solid and steam billowed from it.
At the same time the monster circled back, Lancelot
jumped up, but instead of going forward, he scrambled up
the hill toward the forest. The beast screeched, swooped
low, and breathed his fire once more. This time it hit right
behind Lancelot. The vegetation smoked and burned – he
could not go back. Lancelot ran as fast as he could in hopes
the beast would not fry him.
When he ran as far as he could, he dropped to the
ground and panted. With his eyes closed, he awaited his
fate.
***
“What is it about us dragons that terrify you men so
much?” Rithrell said.
“It could be your fire-breathing capabilities.” Merlin
patted the dragon’s wing.
“Maybe.”
“It could be that you’ve been known to swoop down
on unsuspecting farmers and snatch up two or three cows at
once.”
“A dragon’s got to eat, Wizard. We do make sure we
never pick on a poor farmer. We only snatch cows from
those who have a few to spare.”
“You are truly a noble beast.”
“Most of us anyway.”
“Could I possibly get a ride from you?”
“Sure, hop on.”
Merlin climbed on the dragon’s back.
“I’m not going to be around all the time, you know.”
“That’s a shame.”
“You know though, I think I can fix you up with
something just as good as I am.”
“I’m listening.”
“Let me take you somewhere.”
***
Lancelot regained enough courage to open his eyes
again. There was no sign of the beast anywhere. He
climbed to his feet so that he could try getting his bearings.
The path led straight on. Otherwise, woods
surrounded him. He could no longer see the river. As well
worn as the path was, Lancelot assumed it must lead
somewhere. With no other options, he decided to follow it.
***
The dragon soared in and out of clouds, high enough
that those below would not see him. When they did break
into clear skies, Merlin saw only green below him.
“We are going down now, Merlin. Hold on tight.”
The dragon swooped down and spiraled closer and
closer to the ground. “You understand; I can’t guarantee she
will come.”
Merlin barely heard him because he was terrified.
Deciding it would be best for him, he closed his eyes.
Finally, Rithrell landed gently on the ground. Merlin
opened his eyes.
“Every man should have to ride a dragon at least
once. He will appreciate the ground much more.”
Merlin climbed down.
“The only thing a man would get out of riding on a
dragon is some cruel scheme to make money off us.”
Rithrell placed his claws to his mouth and blew.
What came out was a weird, rattling whistle.
“It won’t take her long to decide whether to bless us
with her presence or not.”
Merlin heard a snap, and he whirled around. He saw
a flash of white, and then, he saw all of her.
“She is beautiful.”
“She has agreed to help you. You should be
honored.”
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