Sword of Light (10 page)

“Rhianna Pendragon!” snapped Nimue. “Have you forgotten your friends already?”

The light around her died, and she came back to herself with a start. She thought of
Elphin waiting on the riverbank, alone and unarmed, keeping watch on the Saxon boats.

A little out of breath, she smiled. “Thank you for the sword, Lady Nimue. I won’t forget about the blood. I don’t want to fight anyone with it, anyway. I just want it to give my father the strength to fight Mordred when he is reborn.”

Nimue sighed again. “I wish you luck, child. But take care. Mordred will not like you beating him to the Sword. Remind Merlin to make you a scabbard for it when you next see him. You can’t carry Excalibur around in the world of men spilling its magic everywhere. Now, go! The sword will light your way out.”

It was easier going out than in. Rhianna had more air in her lungs and the Sword of Light to guide her. She swam carefully, so she would not chip the blade on the rocky walls of the
tunnel, thinking of Nimue’s warning. But she couldn’t help a grin of triumph. She’d finally done something an Avalonian couldn’t do, not with all their magic. It felt good.

The sky above the lake seemed very bright after the tunnel. When her head broke the surface, she had to squint until her eyes adjusted. While she’d been in Nimue’s grotto, the sun had risen. She heard men’s shouts down by the river. At first she couldn’t see Alba, and her stomach twisted with anxiety. Then there was a familiar whinny, and the mare trotted from the trees to meet her.

You have been ages! Bad men catch Evenstar again
.

Rhianna’s heart sank. She had taken too long. The Saxons had found her friend.

M
ordred woke with a jolt. Something was wrong. Sweat bathed his whole body, and his stump throbbed.

He’d been having the old nightmare, where he was back on the battlefield duelling with King Arthur. Excalibur flashed down, slicing off his arm at the elbow. The bandages showed fresh blood where he must have knocked the wound in his sleep. But he’d become used to the pain, which usually
faded when he woke up. This was different. Something had touched his spirit, exactly like when his Uncle Arthur had knighted him back in Camelot.

“No,” he whispered. “No, it’s not possible…” Fighting off the terror, he groped for his black mirror. “
Mother!
”

She appeared immediately, as if she’d been waiting for his call.

“I know, I felt it too. It seems Excalibur has been found.”

“But the spirit magic! I thought you said it wouldn’t work any more, now Arthur’s dead—”

“Pull yourself together, boy!” his mother snapped. “It’s your own fault for employing fools stupid enough to let a girl and a fairy with a harp get the better of them. So your cousin has got the sword out of the lake,
has she? That’s good. Saves me the bother of dealing with Nimue. Don’t worry. The girl hasn’t a clue how to use the spirit magic, and without Merlin to instruct her she won’t find out. Or are you so feeble as to let a
damsel
command your knightly soul?”

Mordred’s breath steadied. Now he thought about it, the touch on his spirit felt light and inexperienced, not firm and strong like his Uncle Arthur’s. “Of course not,” he said. “It was just a bad dream, that’s all.”

His mother sighed. “How many times do I have to tell you not to underestimate dreams? But there’s no need to panic. There are a hundred Saxons between your cousin and Camelot. For now, let her think she has won. We’ll let her and her friends tire themselves out fighting before we make our move.”

Mordred prodded his tender stump and winced. “And what if the stupid fishmaid’s enchanted the sword so it’s no use to us any more?”

The witch gave an impatient hiss. “The Sword is one of the four Lights. No one can enchant it, not even me.”

“But I thought you put a spell on it so I could kill Arthur?”

His mother laughed bitterly. “And a fine mess you made of that! You’ve been listening to too much squires’ gossip. Do you think if I’d been able to spell the Sword of Light, you’d be a cripple with only one hand and I’d be stuck here in Annwn while your cousin wields Excalibur? Give me some credit. Be patient and it will help us too. Excalibur makes its own rules, and our brave Rhianna does not
know them. I, however, have studied magic with the best. Remember what I taught you? Those who know the rules can always bend them.”

Mordred felt a bit better. “Let me bend them for you, Mother,” he said, clenching his good fist. “I’ll teach my cousin to play with magic she doesn’t understand.”

“That’s my boy,” the witch said. “Now listen, this is what we’re going to do…”

9

Warrior Damsel

A
t first, remembering the hut back in the Saxon camp and its smell of burned flesh, Rhianna didn’t want to leave the warmth and safety of the enchanted lake. Then Alba sniffed at the sword, making it flare silver, and she heard a voice in her ear: “
Courage, daughter
.”

She looked round in sudden hope but saw only sunlight slanting through the trees. This must be a test, she decided, to see if she was worthy of carrying the Sword of Light. Perhaps her father’s ghost was watching to see what she would do next? She smiled grimly. Things had changed since last time the Saxons had captured them. Pushing the mare’s nose away, she quickly used her cloak to rub herself dry, then dragged on her armour over her wet
sackdress
and vaulted into the saddle. She headed out of the trees gripping Excalibur tightly.

The Saxon boats seemed to be dredging the river, but their nets had become hopelessly tangled in the reeds. While their grumbling crews tried to sort out the mess, Rhianna cantered Alba down to the water’s edge and galloped past them across the surface of the
river in a silver spray. The men looked up when they heard the mare’s splashing hooves and their mouths dropped open in disbelief. They were too surprised even to snatch up their weapons until she was safely past. Their oars tangled their nets still further as they tried to turn their boats to follow her.

“Did you just see a warrior maid riding over the water on a white horse…?” one said. “Nah, she’s one of them water sprites,” said another. “Leave her be, or she’ll drown us all.”

Rhianna was too worried about her friend to laugh. Where she’d left Elphin, only churned-up prints showed in the mud. The tracks led along the riverbank then turned into the wood. One of the horses had left small, unshod hoof prints in a broken trail – Evenstar, obviously misting. There were four larger
horses and maybe two or three men on foot, she couldn’t be sure. She urged Alba off the water and followed the prints, swinging Excalibur to clear the path.

She caught up with them sooner than she expected, rounding a bend in the track to see Evenstar being dragged along by his cursing captors. The little horse was not making it easy for the men, misting around tree trunks and tangling his reins. Elphin walked in the middle of the group with his hands bound and leashed to the leading rider’s saddle. Rhianna’s heart quickened as she saw the winged standard and recognised the bloodbeard captain who had tortured Sir Bors. Her friend’s head was bowed and his dark curls tangled. She could see a bruise on his cheek and mud all down the front of his tunic where he must
have been dragged along the ground.

Fury filled her. Digging her heels into Alba’s sides, she raised Excalibur over her head and charged the men. “Duck, Elphin!” she yelled, slicing at the standard as she galloped past. Her blade cut the pole in half, and the eagle fell in the mud.

I fight too!

With an angry snort, the mare kicked out at Evenstar’s captors, making them let go of the mist horse’s reins. The men on foot flung themselves into the undergrowth to avoid being trampled. The horses threw up their heads, saw Rhianna galloping down upon them, with her copper hair frizzy from her swim and Excalibur flashing in the sunlight, and plunged off the path in alarm. Elphin eyed the swinging sword with disapproval. But he ducked as she’d
warned him to, and her blade sliced through his leash, trailing silver light.

The bloodbeard captain dragged his horse round, his own sword scraping from his scabbard. But the blow that might have taken off her arm turned aside in midair, as if sliding off an invisible shield.

“
Excalibur!
” he said, his eyes widening.

It was enough for Rhianna to cut her friend’s bonds. Elphin raced for his horse and vaulted into the saddle.

“Go, Rhia!” he yelled. “I’ll follow and mist our trail.”

But she was having too much fun. The sword gleamed around her and Alba, encasing them in a web of power that made her Avalonian armour shine and the air hum. Her whole body fizzed, bright and strong. She felt afraid of nothing,
as if she led an army of her father’s knights. The mare pranced, also unafraid, recognising the magic as something of Avalon. Within its protective light, Rhianna had time to see the bloodbeard’s dismay as he recognised her. His men had regained control of their horses but seemed afraid to approach the glittering sword.

She laughed at their leader’s expression. “Give my friend back his harp!” she ordered. “And while you’re at it, you can give me back my father’s shield, too. It belongs in Pendragon hands like this sword.”

A sudden wariness appeared in the eyes of his men.

The bloodbeard captain had recovered from his surprise. His expression turned sly. “You’re in no position to give orders, Pendragon maid. Or have you an army hiding in these woods,
perhaps?” He glanced at the trees and chuckled. “Thought not. Prince Mordred’s going to be very pleased with me. Not only have you saved us the bother of dredging all the lakes between here and the Summer Sea, but you’ve delivered yourself and Arthur’s sword into our hands. I thought it strange when we captured you at Camelot, a damsel riding with knights all dressed up in your fancy armour. I’d never have left you with that fool Cynric if I’d known who you were. You won’t escape again.” His tone hardened. “Hand over Excalibur, and I’ll tell my men to be gentle with you – or as gentle as they know how to be.” He bared his teeth at her.

“Just you try to take it,” Rhianna challenged him, remembering how Nimue had said the Sword of Light turned on its enemies and curious to see what would happen.

“Rhia!” Elphin choked, holding Evenstar back to wait for her. The men had regained their feet and drawn their swords, while the mounted bloodbeards went for their bows, their faces ugly. She had made them look stupid twice now, and they didn’t like it.

Then their captain reached into his saddlebag and pulled out the grisly black hand he’d been using to torture Sir Bors back at the Saxon camp. Now Rhianna understood how he meant to take Excalibur to his master. The air around them darkened, and her wrist tingled in memory. The sword suddenly became heavier, dragging at her arm, and she heard the ominous flap of large wings approaching from the river. Coming to her senses at last, she wheeled Alba to join her friend. Together, they barged their way through all the bloodbeards and galloped into the trees.

She took the most difficult route she could, guiding Alba through the narrowest gaps between the trunks and under the lowest branches, seeking cover from the dragon as well as escape from Mordred’s band. Behind her, she heard Elphin desperately humming under his breath as Evenstar misted. His yelps, as twigs whipped him, told her the magic did not work quite as well here in the land of men as it had back in Avalon. She smiled grimly, glad of all the practice she’d had. Even so, she caught several slaps in the eyes and lay flat over her mare’s neck, swinging Excalibur blindly to cut a path. Her arm ached, and she was terrified one of the arrows hissing through the trees after them would hit her friend. But it worked. The men on foot couldn’t catch them, the dragon couldn’t see them through the dense leaves,
and the bigger horses soon got left behind.

When the sounds of pursuit had faded, they drew rein, gasping for breath, and checked the sky.

Dark thing gone
. Alba said in satisfaction.
I think we won
.

“Sorry,” Elphin said. “I know I should have hidden when it got light, but then the bloodbeards turned up and I was afraid they might catch you at the lake. I managed to tangle the Saxons’ nets with my harp, but my fingers…” He winced in memory. “The only thing I could think of was to let them capture me. But you were ages! What happened down there? I thought you’d drowned.”

Rhianna hung over Alba’s neck, too exhausted to answer. She thought of the nets and Saxons she had seen. “They’ll be untangling that lot
till next winter!” she said with a weak grin. “They wouldn’t have found Excalibur, though. The lake spirit had taken it. I had a hard job persuading her to let me have it back. She said I mustn’t blood the blade, or we can’t take it back to Avalon. Is that true?”

Elphin eyed the glimmering sword in her hand. “Father did say something about keeping it clean… it makes sense. Blood interferes with our magic. Only those who work dark magic use blood in their spells. So you’d better remember not to kill anyone with it.” He looked a bit relieved.

“She also said something about the hilt…” Rhianna shook her head. Nimue’s words had unsettled her. She needed to ask Merlin about the spirit magic and find out why he’d really brought her here to find the sword. “Never
mind. I got to Excalibur before Mordred, that’s the main thing. Did you see those bloodbeards’ faces? Even funnier than those Saxons’, when Alba galloped past their boats on the river!”

Elphin eyed her bare feet and her wild cloud of tangled hair. “You were terrifying back there,” he said in admiration. “For a moment I thought you did have an army hiding in the woods! You’re—”

“Crazy. I know.” Rhianna grinned at him again as she thought of how the bloodbeards had scattered. Then she remembered they still had her shield and Elphin’s harp, and sobered. “We have to get our things back,” she said.

“Not on our own,” Elphin said. “There’s dark magic in that arm. The bloodbeards can use it to contact Mordred somehow. If they’ve found out about you being Arthur’s daughter
that means Mordred knows as well. They’ll be ready for you next time.”

Rhianna knew he was right – surprise only worked once. “We’d better find Cai and the knights, I suppose,” she said in a resigned tone. “Can you remember the way back?”

Elphin studied the trees and nodded. “I think so. But Rhia… there’s something else you should know.”

His tone worried her. She finished wiping Excalibur’s blade on Alba’s mane and looked up. “What?”

“Merlin. The bloodbeards told me Mordred’s mother took his soul – they call her Morgan Le Fay because she’s a witch. She’s dead now, but apparently she made some kind of pact with the Lord of Annwn for her son’s life, and she still advises Mordred from beyond the mists. Once
you get close enough to the land of men, the mists can lead both ways, to Avalon or to Annwn. She must have ambushed Merlin while he was bringing us across. I should have realised when we saw that shadrake… I’m sorry. I know he was your father’s friend.”

“Merlin’s gone to Annwn? Are you sure?” Rhianna gripped Excalibur tighter, thinking of the dream she’d had at the stone circle. The old druid might have tricked her about the sword bringing her father back to life, but he didn’t deserve that.

“I don’t know. Nobody with Avalonian blood can go to Annwn, but Merlin’s half human, so his human soul would be vulnerable.”

Rhianna stared at her friend in despair. “Then what about my dream? He told me to take Excalibur to Camelot and wait for him
there. How are we supposed to get back to Avalon without him?” For a moment she couldn’t think what to do next. Then she shook her head. “Those bloodbeards must have been lying. Merlin wouldn’t let a witch overpower him. He was my father’s druid, the most powerful magician in the land!”

Elphin sighed. “They might have been trying to scare me, I suppose. Or maybe Merlin found a way to escape. But if he’s not at Camelot, we must find another way to get the sword back to Avalon as soon as we can. Only without Evenstar’s shoes and something to open the mists, I’m not sure how.” He bowed his head again so his curls shadowed his bruise. “I’m sorry, Rhia. I’m not much use to you, am I?”

“Don’t be silly.” She sat up straighter,
gathered up Alba’s reins and took a deep breath. “I’d never even have got to the lake before Mordred’s men without you. We’re a team, just like King Arthur and Merlin… why are you looking at me like that? I won’t make the same mistakes my father did.” She hoped not, anyway. “Look, I’ve got Excalibur! We’re both still free. And so are Cai and my father’s knights, hopefully. If we can persuade them to chase that fat old Cynric and his Saxon bullies away from Camelot, we might be able to contact Merlin using the Round Table, like Sir Bors said. I just hope the knights aren’t too angry with us—”

“They’re furious!” said a voice from the undergrowth, making them both jump.

A plump figure, bristling with twigs and leaves, fought its way out of the bushes
complaining loudly. Rhianna raised Excalibur. Elphin’s hand went for his missing harp. But Alba pricked up her ears and snorted.
It is the human boy
.

“Did you have to ride into the thickest thicket this side of the river?” grumbled the green boy, picking leaves and twigs out of his hair. “We been looking for you ever since we woke up! Sir Bors says you’re both foolish young hotheads who deserve to be whipped like errant squires, royalty or not… sorry, Damsel Rhianna. And by the way, we’ve got your shield back. Sir Agravaine says you’d best carry it next time you decide to take on a troop of Mordred’s bloodbeards single-handedly.”