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Down through history there has been many stories of heroes and the weapons of power. Thor with his Warhammer Mjölnir, the sword of Aries and Mars, Attila the Hun’s sword, and King Author’s Excalibur. These are but a few legends. Yet for every one of these legends there are two legendary weapons lost to time. Among those lost weapons are the few whose power comes with a cost. They are the cursed weapons of power. Each curse is unique to the weapon. The Black sword is but one such weapon of great power. This is the story of the weapon and its newest welder.

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Chapter 8
Nameless beach, north end of Avalon Island.

Morgan pulled her horse to a stop just feet from the water’s edge. The last few days had been hard on their small search party. Without a reliable map or compass to guide themselves they had to rely on dead reckoning for most of their journey. That was just the first of their hardships. Yet they had planned for that hardship. It was the daily attacks from mythical creatures that had stretched their endurance.

“We made it guys.” Morgan told her friends as they exited the woods behind her. “Now which way do we go?”

“I hate to say this but without an accurate map. We might as well flip a coin.” Mike told her honestly. Then he pointed out towards the open sea. “It may look calm out there, but I got a gold piece that there’s a breakwater at least fifty to seventy yards out there that we can’t see.”

“I’ll take your word for it Mike. Me and the sea have never been on what you would call friendly relations.” Lee snarked from his place to Morgan’s right.

“Didn’t that hamadryad say something about fallowing the shoreline to the Dark Ones’ city?” Tony asked Morgan with a frown.

“She did but she didn’t say in which direction we should go.” Morgan grumbled as she looked in both directions. Then with a frown she pointed towards the west. “Though for some reason I feel a pulling from that direction.”

“Okay Morgan we’ll head in that direction.” Tony said as he turned his horse west. “Though can you explain this pulling sensation?”

“I wish that I could Tony. I only know that I feel pulled to something in that direction.” Morgan sighed. “Something not of this world. It has to be Linette.”

“Hold on Morgan. Before we go rushing off chasing down this feeling of yours. Think about what else might be pulling you in that direction.” Mike said stopping them.

“What are you talking about Mike?” Lee asked him.

“Remember that there is more than one city of power on this end of the island.” Mike warned the others. “Don’t forget we’re working off bullshit intel Tony.”

“I haven’t forgotten Mike.” Tony sighed. “This is one time I would give my left nut for a Blackbird or Predator flyover.”

“Hell, I would give both nuts for an out of date RemBass report.” Mike grumbled.

“They won’t do us any good guys. This island is protected from all types of mapping. This place is so inundated with magic. That I doubt even the most advanced scanning systems of our world would work here.” Morgan grumbled as she dropped off her horse. “But you’re right. We need current intel to make a rational decision. Mike hold my horse for me please?”

“What are you going to do Morgan?” Lee asked her as he back his horse away from where she not stood on the beach.

“I figured I would call on a local spirit for some accurate intel.” Morgan told him as she used a piece of driftwood to draw a summoning circle in the sand.

“Hold on here Morgan. I thought that we all agreed that you using magic was a last resort?” Lee barked at her as he started to dismount his horse.

“Will you relax already. I’m not calling down a magical attack Lee. I’m only calling on the local spirits for a little guidance.” Morgan told him honestly as she never took her eyes of the circle she was drawing in the sand. “Hopefully one of them will answer my request and appear.”

“Morgan stop!” Mike called out hoping to stop the young woman.

“Leave her be Mike!” Tony ordered him. “She’s not working Great or Grand magic. This is a simple spell of summoning. Think about it like this. She is sending in a request for Intelligence from the CIA.”

“Then I doubt it’ll get answered.” Mike chuckled.

“Thanks for the moral support there, guys.” Morgan snarked as she finished the circle. Stepping away from the circle Morgan held out her hands. “Here goes nothing.”

Taking a deep breath and centering herself Morgan focused on the spell and the circle before her in the sand. With a clear voice that held an angelic quality Morgan began to sing. Though the words she sang were in the High Speech of the ancient Melnibonéan Kings her companions recognized the song.

“Where have all the good men gone and where are all the Gods? Where’s the street wise Hercules to fight the rising odds? Isn’t there a white knight upon a fiery steed? Late at night I toss, and I turn and I dream of what I need. I need a hero. I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night. He’s gotta be strong and he’s gotta be fast. And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight.”

“You have got to be shitting me?!” Lee groaned. “Is she really using Bonnie Taylor’s Holding out for a Hero? How stupid can things get?”

“We got a saying in the Military Lee. If it’s stupid and works. It ain’t stupid.” Tony chuckled as Lee facepalmed. “Besides at least she has a decent singing voice.”

“You can say that again.” Mike snarked as he held up his right hand stopping Tony from going for the obvious punchline. “Don’t even do it.”

“Damn. Why do you have to spoil my fun?” Tony mumbled.

As the three young men chuckled the circle in the sand and Morgan began to glow with an unearthly blue light. The more Morgan sang the brighter her and the circle glowed. Then in a blinding flash of near prefect blue/white light that cause the three men to close their eyes Morgan end the song. When they opened their eyes they had found a spirit flouting over the circle. Only Mike understood the danger that the spirit presented to the four earnest adventures.

“Oh shit. Morgan whatever you do next. Please do not break that fucking circle.” He told her softly. “That is no ordinary spirit.”

“Tell me something that I don’t know Mike.” Morgan whispered as she focused her attention on the magic controlling the circle. Turning her full attention on the spirit Morgan smiled as she bowed. “Thank you for heeding my call, Lady Nimue.”

“How could I not heed the call of my sister’s blood?” The female spirit laughed softly. “Fear not child of Morgana le Fay. I will not harm you.”

“Mike exactly who is this spirit?” Lee whispered in confusion.

“Lee that is the legendary Lady of the Lake. In some of the lesser known Arthurian and Medieval legends she is thought to be one of Morgana le Fay’s sisters.” Mike whispered back with more than a little fear in his voice.

“Oh shit. No wondered you’re on edge brother.” Tony crocked out.

“It appears that your companions fear me child. Why would they feel this way towards me?” The spirit asked of Morgan.

“Please forgive them my Lady. In the world we come from you are seen as both a benevolent and malicious spirit, Lady Nimue. In their eyes you like all spirits are not to be trusted by mankind.” Morgan answered quickly thinking fast on her feet.

“I see. Yes. I can see how my reputation can be seen in that light.” The spirit sighed then snorted. “Tell me child why have you called me to this most forgotten of all shorelines? Why not call to me in the land of your birth? Why have you travel so far from your homeland? Why not call to me in the comfort of your garden within the great Dreaming City of Imrryr young Dragon Empress?”

“That is a long story Lady Nimue.” Morgan told her. “There are a few problems with answering your questions. The first of which is I do not even know where Imrryr is on this island. The next of which is this is not even my world or homeland. Both I and my companions come from another world. As for calling you to this shore. I have great need of guidance. For we are lost and hoping to find directions.”

“Such a small task to ask one of my power, Dragonkin Empress.” Lady Nimue said with a chuckle as she looked down at the summoning circle. “Though I can see by the circle that I was not your intended spirit.”

“I wasn’t exactly expecting a personage of your stature to appear, my Lady.” Morgan blushed. “I think I put a little too much power into my spell. I was only hoping to find help in locating a friend of ours from our homeland.”

“Indeed, you did Dragonkin Empress. Though not surprising to one newly come to their power. For one of the Royal Dragonkin line even more so.” Nimue said with a small yet sly smile as she closed her eyes. “The human you seek is in the direction of the Dark Ones’ citadel. If you are to reach her before the Dark Ones. You must first pass through great Imrryr and her feared Sea Maze.”

“Um… which way is that?” Morgan asked in confusion.

“Let your heart lead you to where you need to go young Dragon Empress.” With that the Lady of the Lake disappeared. As the powerful spirit vanished Mike, Tony, and Lee all breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Morgan thou could only stand there in bewilderment. Is had hoped for a much small spirit that she could control. Instead, she ended up summoning one of the most powerful water spirits in the realm. One that left her with more questions than answers.

“Welp, that was absolutely craptastic. Could she have been anymore cryptic in her answers. I mean come on. How hard is it to hold out your arm, point, and say go that way?” Morgan huffed and then held out her arm pointing towards the west. “See. How hard is that? Why do spirits have to give answers in the form of brain teasers?”

All three of her companions had the good sense to not laugh at Morgan’s antics just then. They could tell that she was more than a little miffed at the answer she received from the Lady in the Lake. Then again they also didn’t feel like inviting that powerful spirit back into their vicinity. For once their need to understand and study the unknown was curbed by their need to survive. When none of her friends answered her, Morgan snarled at them.

“Well, just don’t sit there. I’m hoping for an answer here guys.”

“We’ll answer that one once you’ve calmed down.” Lee grunted.

“What the hell does that mean?” Morgan gasped in surprise.

“Um… Morgan not to be an asshole but you do know that you can be one scary bitch at times?” Mike asked with her a friendly smile.

“Okay, just what are you getting at?” Morgan snapped.

“Think about it Morgan. You summoned one of the most powerful water spirits in the realms to just to get directs. Do you realize just how much power that takes?” Tony asked her with a lopsided grin.

“A little more than I should have use?” Morgan asked with a blush.

“A LITTLE MORE?!” Mike yelled.

“Can you be any more oblivious?” Lee asked then groaned at her look of confusion.

“Talk about making an understatement!” Tony gasped then gave her a cross look. “Morgan that ‘little’ spell of yours only needed a hundredth of the power you put into it. You used a Bunker Buster when all you needed was a block of C-four.”

“Um… can you give me a better example than that?” Morgan asked in confusion.

“It is like this Morgan. The amount of power you used for that spell was equal to an eighteen-wheeler. When all you needed was a Chevet.” Tony explained hoping to ease the young girl’s feelings.

“Still not getting the reference there guys.” Morgan moaned.

“You used a seventh level Fireball when a Light cantrip would have done the job.” Lee broke in using a D&D reference.

“Oh shit! I really did overdo things.” Morgan blushed even harder at the looks of exasperation from her friends. “Okay I get already. I got a slight power control issue. There I admitted it! You three happy now?”

“Slight power control issue she says?” Mike chuckled.

“I knew that being your friend was going to be interesting.” Lee laughed.

“You just didn’t know how interesting!” Tony snarked before busting out laughing.

“You certainly give new meaning to that old saying.” Mike laughed.

“What old saying?” Morgan asked after of what his answer would be.

“May you live in interesting times.” Lee snarked then smiled. “Though in my case that saying needs to be changed slightly. May your friends be as interesting as the times you live in. Because you’re the most interesting friend I have.”

“Oh, bite me you overgrown yard gnome!” Morgan snapped as she understood Lee’s comment better than she want to. Then she started to laugh herself. “But you do have a point Lee. Life around me has been very interesting.”

“You could say that again girlfriend.” Lee snarked. Then turned serious. “Though I can understand your comment about spirits not giving you a straight answer. What did the Lady Nimue mean by letting your heart guide you?”

“You got me. Is she telling me to fallow my instincts and feelings?” Morgan grunted.

“I think I know, but you’re not going to like the answer Morgan.” Tony told her.

“Just tell me already.” Morgan sighed. “Besides there hasn’t been a lot about this whole situation that I’ve liked so far.”

“Okay you asked for it. It involves your new race. To be precise the affinity that all Melnibonéans have with magic. To be precise it is your races natural affinity with certain magics and their homeland.” Tony told her with a straight face. When Morgan didn’t blow her top he continued. “I know what I’m about say is going to sound corny as hell and straight out of Star Wars but do it any way. Close your eyes and reach out with your feelings.”

“If I turn into a Sith Lord. You’re the first one I’m cutting in half.” Morgan snarked but did as Tony asked. As Morgan closed her eyes she fell back on her early training in swordplay and her very first instructor’s words. ‘Through peace of mind comes the clean blade of Justice and Truth.’

“If she becomes a Sith Lord the only thing she’ll need a lightsaber. Then again she doesn’t need one. She has Stormbringer on her hip. I think that counts for double.” Lee whispered to Mike. Then nudged him in the ribs. “Mike is it me or has Morgan become more even sexually appealing as a female?”

“I hate to say this about the Profs’ only daughter, but you’re right. Those skintight wyvern hide leathers of hers aren’t helping matters.” Mike grunted as he shift his own leather pants that had suddenly become very tight. “In the right light I would swear that I was seeing one of Jack Lee’s Drow elf characters come to life.”

“Who?” Lee asked him.

“Jack Lee is a freelance artist. He mostly does the concept art for Female Drow Elf Assassins and Warriors.” Mike explained for him the younger man. “You’ve seen a lot of his work on display at Com-con booths. Last year at the Ren-Fest they even had two of their booth girls done up like a couple of his Assassin characters.”

“Oh man. Now that you mention it. She does look like one of the Drow Elf Assassins from D-n-D. Though she is missing the pointy ears to really pull off the look.” Lee said as he nodded his head.

“I can hear you.” Morgan sang out in a huff.

“Chill out Morgan. They’re just commenting on how good you look. Just take it as a compliment Any idea of which direction we should go?” Tony said before he chuckled.

“If my feelings are correct. We need to go that way.” Morgan said as she pointed first to the East. Then she slowly turned and point to the west. “Though for some reason I’m also being pulled in the other way.”

“Can you tell which one is Lisa?” Tony asked her kindly.

“I wish that I could, but I really can’t. Both feelings are pulling me equally.” Morgan explained as she frowned.

“Can you describe the feelings for us Morgan.” Mike told her.

“Well, the one to the west feels like this great big, massive powerplant. Something like Chernobyl on Red Bull. The one to the east has this very feminine feel to it.” Morgan told them honestly. “If I were guess I would say that our best bet for finding Lisa is to the east.”

“Then that is the way we go. We need to find Lisa first.” Lee told them.

“Say Morgan by any chance could that feeling to the west be a city?” Tony asked.

“Oh yeah. I know that to the west is a major city.” She told him as she closed her eyes once more. “An ancient city of great power.”

“Morgan can you stretch out your feelings just a little more.” Tony suggested. “Push them out into the direction of that city if you can.”

“Who do you think you are? Yoda?” Morgan snarked.

“Nope. I’m no Jedi Knight, but for some reason I think that George Lucas with his Jedi Knights might have been on to something. Especially when it comes to their training with the Force. Which if you look at it logically is nothing more than a type of magic.” Tony explained for her.

“Wait a second. Are you honestly trying to say that Lucas might have written about something that would work in real life?” Morgan asked bluntly.

“It’s no crazier than your theory that the islands of Melniboné and Avalon are one in the same.” Mike told her with a friendly smile.

“Mike’s got a point Morgan.” Lee told her with his own smile. “I mean according to the films and books. What the Jedi and Sith do with the Force is similar to magic.”

“Are you saying that whole Light side, Dark side, might have something similar in magic?” Morgan asked with real worry in her voice.

“I don’t know. It just feels that way to me.” Tony told her. “I know that it sounds crazy. Just reaching out with your feelings as best you can.”

“Okay, I’ll give it a try.” Morgan told him as she took a deep breath centering herself. As she let the breath out. Morgan reached out with her feelings the way that Tony suggested. As she let her mind and feelings go Morgan was hit by a very powerful surge of energy from the West. There was a city to the west just not the one she was expecting to find. This city pulsated with raw almost uncontained power. The power had a very masculine feel to it. It was cold, calculating, almost machine like in its pull. Morgan’s eyes snapped open as she staggered. “Oh, shit what a rush. Don’t ask me to do that again.”

“I take it that you got hit by something major?” Tony asked kindly.

“You could fucking say that.” Morgan snapped. “No offence guys but we’re going east. I don’t care what is in the west. That city holds no love for my race.”

“What do you mean by your race?” Lee asked suddenly looking towards the west.

“I mean those people will take one look at me. Then do their damnedest to kill me. I don’t have to go near the place to know that they hate Melnibonéans.” Morgan snapped as she glared in the direction of the offending city. “I have the feeling that this city is not going to be welcoming to any outsiders. They may feel all spiritual and shit guys. But they don’t take kindly to those not of their race.”

“What race is that outlander?” A voice snarled from the tree line. As the four friends turned toward where they heard the voice. A tall pale elf dressed in gleaming silver armor stepped from the woods. He was not alone. He was accompanied by twenty-four men-at-arms. When he got a good look at Morgan he gasped in surprise. “Your race is supposed to be dead witch!”

“Call me a witch again, fuck face. I’ll end what sad little existence you currently have.” Morgan snarled as she gripped the pommel of Stormbringer.

“Beware sire, the dragon whore carries the black sword.” One of the men-at-arms warned the loudmouth. Not realizing that he was pissing off Morgan.

“Be chill Morgan. No need for the fireworks.” Mike whispered from behind her.

“That remains to be seen, Michael.” The voice might have been Morgan’s, but the attitude and inflection wasn’t hers. It was a long dead Melnibonéan Queen from forgotten history that spoke to the young man. “These fools have dare to threaten the rightful Empress of Melniboné.”

“Oh, shit guys! That’s not Morgan. I don’t know who it is, but that sure isn’t her.” Lee said as he pulled his rapier and gauche. “I got a feeling that shit is going to go sideways in about three seconds.”

“I don’t understand what is going on Tony but get ready to back her play.” Mike told his fellow soldier slowly drawing his saber. “No matter what happens.”

“Hear ya brother. Like the old saying goes. The only easy day is yesterday.” Tony snarled as he pulled his saber.

“You fools would dare draw your weapons on a Holy Knight?” The loudmouth snarled as he reached for his own sword. “You shall pay for such insolence. Secure them.”

As the men-at-arms moved towards the foursome. Morgan drew a suddenly glowing and howling Stormbringer. She moved faster than Tony, Mike, and Lee could have dreamed. She was among the elven soldiers before they had a chance howling for their blood.

“BLOOD AND SOULS! HEAR ME ARIOCH! I HAVE BLOOD AND SOULS FOR YOU!” As Morgan yelled her battle cry the elven knight and men-at-arms stumbled back in fear. “COME ON YOU WORTHLESS COCKCUCKERS! YOU WANTED A PIECE OF ME! NOW’S YOUR CHANCE TO BE FAMOUS!”

As the fourth man-at-arms fell to her sword. Mike, Tony, and Lee were dropping their first. Not that it mattered. After that point the elven men-at-arms broke before Morgan’s bloody and unholy onslaught. Only the loudmouth remained behind.

“MAGES to the fore! Bind these dark mages!” Loudmouth shouted just before bolts of blue, white energy lashed out at the foursome from deep in the wood line. Morgan snarled as she met the mystical energy with the flat of Stormbringer. As the blots of energy were swallowed up by the mystical sword Morgan felt a massive rush of life giving energy. Morgan snarled and held out her hand towards the wood line.

“Lagorgio Viralucio!” Even as she screamed the ancient spell eight bolts of black lightning lashed the area where the elf mages stood. Their dying screams filled the seaside air. The loudmouth elven knight staggered back in true fear for the first time. For the first time in his long life. He was facing his nation’s greatest nightmare returned from the long dead past.

“DIE! YOU HELL SPAWNED HARLOT!” He screamed as he charged her with his sword held high. “YOU SHALL DIE BY MY HAND!”

The second their swords crossed Morgan knew that the man was welding a Holy Sword. Not just any Holy Sword, but Destiny's Song. The Holy Sword for the Elf Goddess Culuna. Their patron goddess of the military. Her first clue was the purple/black flames racing up the length of Stormbringer mixing with the other sword’s blue/white flames. The second clue was the howls of rage radiating from the two swords. Stormbringer’s howl was matched by her own snarl.

As the two Champions pushed off each other a glaring deference could be seen them. One was filled with the Wrath of Righteousness. The other only wanted to serve the Eternal Order of Balance. The was no way that the two combatants were going to let the other just walk away from this fight. Morgan may have given her word to her mother to not kill any of the Avalon Knights. That promise didn’t apply to the elf in front. She had no qualms about killing the arrogant asshole. This time when their blades crossed Stormbringer crashed through Destiny’s Song as if it was made from paper. As she brought the bastard sword down through the elf’s armor a look of true terror filled his face. He looked into Morgan’s face with lifeless eyes.

“I shall see you in hell White Wolf of Melniboné. We shall never let your race return to our island.” The knight gasped out.

“Don’t think so fuck face.” Morgan snarled as she pulled the black demonic sword from his chest. “As for my race’s return. That is up to the Gods.”

Morgan turned away from the dead elf knight to look at her friends. To her surprise each of them was dealing with one of the escorting men-at-arms. Not even giving it a second though Morgan summon her magic and held out her right hand. Taking a deep breath Morgan called out in the ancient tongue.

“Stupenum Intimictum!” She didn’t know where her spell knowledge came from exactly, but she had a good idea that it was a racial memory. One tied to her Melnibonéan heritage. She smiled as each man-at-arms was confronted by a gentle, blue orb. Right before their heads were pierced by a stream of high pressure water. The sight of the dying knights brought a cruel smile to her face.

“HOLY FUCK!” Lee yelled out as he jumped back from his suddenly dead opponent. He spun around and faced Morgan. “What did you do to them?!”

“Split their brains with a fifty-thousand psi waterjet. All I know is that those fuck faces weren’t Aos Sídhe.” Morgan snarled before spitting on the dead knight in front of her. “Don’t let the armor fool you guys. These sorry excuses for a knight and men-at-arms are nothing more than Dark Fey Winter Elves.”

“Okay now I’m lost. I thought that Elves were the Aos Sídhe.” Mike told her.

“The Aos Sídhe Courts both, Light and Dark, are made of many races.” Morgan began then stopped to think about how to explain the hierarchy of those races. “The top three rungs of the food chain for the Aos Sídhe are the Aingil Anúabhair or ‘Proud angels’. Next are the Daoine Uaisle' or ‘Noble folk’. With the Daoine maithe or the ‘Good people’. The Aingil Anúabhair are the actual Aos Sídhe race. The Daoine Uaisle' are all of your elven races. By that I mean the High, Wood, Winter, Sylvain, Drow, and all the other elf races. As for the Daoine Uaisle' they are the Fairies, Brownies, and all the other magical races. Their whole society is based on magical power and beauty. The more powerful and beautiful a race. The higher up on their social ladder their race sits.”

“Where do dragons and monsters come into the mix?” Lee asked her.

“Monsters are not part of the Aos Sídhe Courts. Never have been, never will be. The same can be said for dragons. Only dragons stand above both the monster and Aos Sídhe power structures.” Morgan chuckled. “It is one of the reasons the Aos Sídhe hate Melnibonéans so much. Especially the Aingil Anúabhair.”

“Okay Morgan you want to explain that?” Tony asked her.

“Guys you got to remember that Melnibonéans are the humanoid descendants of dragons. The Aos Sídhe’s whole society is based on magical power. The Aingil Anúabhair are at the top of the food chain for the Aos Sídhe power wise. Yet as powerful as the Aingil Anúabhair are they pale in comparison to Melnibonéans. My new race has always been more beautiful and powerful than any of the Aos Sídhe. In ancient times before the last great reset of balance they were the playthings of the Melnibonéans.” Morgan explained before sighing. “Before you ask guys. I don’t know where all this knowledge is coming from. I can only put it down to racial memory.”

“Morgan how much of your racial memory has come back?” Tony asked with concern.

“I really can’t say. It was coming back in bits and pieces at first. Then the other day I was hit with a massive rush of memories. The more I use my magic the more the memories I have access to for some reason.” Morgan told him honestly.

“Those spells you just used. Were those also some kind of racial memory?” Tony asked politely not really liking where this conversation was headed.

“They were. The first spell I used was Lagorgio Viralucio. It means Lightning of the Storm Lords. It calls down a black lightning of unbelievable power. It specifically targets wielders of magic. The more powerful the magic user the greater the lightning bolt that strikes them.” Morgan told him honestly then chuckled. “It’s a nasty anti-magic user spell.”

“I’ll fucking say!” Lee snarked. “I think I damned near shit my pants when all that lightning hit those wizards. What was that other spell you used?”

“Stupenum Intimictum or Spear of Water is a water elemental spell first used in the time of the first Vikings. The human Enchantress Skora wove the spell in a moment of desperation. She did it during the battle of Hvammsfjörður Fjord. It cost her, her life.” Morgan told them with a sad smile. “She was a powerful human mage with no equal. She paid the price of defying the Aos Sídhe Winter Court. She did save her village and the kingdom from a Wild Hunt.”

“Fuck me in a back alley with a ten-inch steel dildo.” Tony groaned as he and Mike facepalmed. “Morgan I thought we agreed that you would hold back on the magic?”

“I did hold back. I swear.” Morgan whined. “It’s not like I called down a major Demon King, or Chaos Lord. I stayed away from any spirits this time.”

“That’s true. You just called on two of the four major elements.” Tony sarcastically snorted as he glared at her.

“Let’s not forget her little talk with the Lady of the Lake.” Mike grunted as he looked Morgan up and down. “Just how damned powerful is she going to get?”

“I’m right here you know.” Morgan huffed as she crossed her arms then frowned as a racial memory came to her. “Um… Guys I think I know why two of the Royal Seals were forged in the first place.”

“Did you just have a flash of racial memory Morgan?” Lee as her.

“You could say that Lee. Though I think we need to get a move on. My little fireworks display is going to draw attention.” Morgan told them as she looked over at the wood line. “I figure we got three to four hours before the next patrol shows up.”

“If they were following modern military practices that would be about right Morgan.” Mike told her as he thought about how medieval militaries actually operated. “These assholes are horse mounted cavalry with foot infantry for support. They might have one or two patrols through this area a day at the most.”

“I thought they would use an all horse mounted patrol?” Lee asked him.

“Horses are a valuable resource Lee. Especially warhorses. Most kingdoms won’t put more than one or two heavy warhorses on a regular patrol route. Too great a risk of injury to the horses. Don’t use those shitheads in the Gray Wolf Order as an example for how a standard medieval military operates. Normally there are fifteen to twenty men-at-arms, and at least eighty to ninety infantrymen for each knight. In some places the number is closer to thirty or forty men-at-arms with another one to one-hundred-and-fifty infantrymen for a knight.” Tony explained kindly.

“What about light calvary Tony? You know like Custard and Sheridan.” Morgan asked.

“While some nations did have a light calvary for their men-at-arms. They weren’t all that common. In truth maybe one in every nine Kings could afford such light calvary forces.” Tony answered as he mounted his horse.

“Which way do we go?” Mike asked as he dropped into his saddle. “While we ride you can tell us your theory on the Royal Seals.

“We head east for now. The Lady of the Lake hinted at Lisa being in that direction.” Morgan told them all as she spurred her horse forward. As they rode down the beach Morgan thought about how she was going to explain her reasons for going after one of the three great Melnibonéan Royal Seals. As they rode along the beach the three men left Morgan to her thoughts. They could tell that she was gathering her thoughts to best explain her newest racial memory.

“Hey Lee. You remember that question you asked me earlier?” Mike asked the younger man as they rode next to each other. It took Lee a few seconds to recall the question but finally nodded his head. “Well, I think I know why she is becoming more sexy with every passing second. The more magical power she soaks in, the stronger her natural glamor becomes.”

“I got a feeling guys that the stronger her glamor becomes the more powerful she will become.” Tony told them as he pulled up next to Mike and Lee. “And guys that is not SWAG. That is theory based on facts.”

“Yeah well, I want to know why she is growing more powerful with every day that we’re on this side of the mist.” Lee grunted as he glared at his to companions.

“We’re closer to Imrryr and the Ruby Thorn. This end of the island is the home of my race.” Morgan told them as she pointed towards the east with her eyes closed. Morgan’s voice took on an unearthly quality with that her next words truly unsettled all three men. “The problem with modern society is that nobody drinks from the skulls of their enemies.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Lee whispered.

“I think that the longer we’re on this end of the island the more Morgan’s racial memories are going to fuck with her.” Tony told him as he watched the young woman.

“Damn it!” Morgan snarled as she shook her head. “I will not become your plaything. I am not the next Empress of Melniboné. I am Morgan Pendragon. Only daughter and Champion of Lady Katherine, and Sir David Pendragon. I am my own person. I will not surrender to the whims of Fate, or Chance’s dice. I shall not let the ghosts of the past rule my life. I shall make my own way in the universe.”

“Woah there girlfriend. You need to calm down.” Mike told her as he reigned in his horse. When Morgan turned to glare at him Mike smiled. “Remember who you are Morgan. Don’t let that bloody sword rule your life.”

“It’s a little more than the sword fucking with me, Mike. It’s these racial memories. I keep getting these massive flashbacks from the Melnibonéan kings and queens. That last one was from Queen Irce the Blood Thirsty.” Morgan shivered as she thought about that last memory. “The bitch actually had a goblet made from the skull of her dead brother. By the way Tony. Moorcock was wrong about the rulers of Melniboné. It didn’t matter if it was a man or a woman who parked their ass on the Ruby Throne. It didn’t matter if it was a king or queen. Just so long as on their wedding night they sacrificed the traditional twelve brides with their grooms to the Chaos Lords in order to ensure a good marriage for newlywed rulers of Melniboné.”

“Damn talk about your fucked up and twisted marriage customs. Any other dangerous personalities we should be looking out for Morgan?” Lee snarked.

“There are a few Melnibonéan customs that are just as fucked up Lee.” Morgan chuckled then sighed. “As for the personalities your guess is as good as mine.”

“What the hell does that mean Morgan?” Tony demanded.

“Back during the fight with that knight and men-at-arms. That wasn’t me. I wasn’t the one in control at first. That was Queen Icre. I didn’t regain control until after I plunged Stormbringer into the heart of that knight.” Morgan sighed.

“Fuck me. I knew something was up with you Morgan. How many times has this happened?” Lee demanded of his friend. “Don’t bullshit us please.”

“Four times so far.” Morgan answered honestly before sighing. “Those are just the ones that I’m aware of. Honestly there might have been more. I couldn’t really tell you. I have a few gaps in my memory.”

“Morgan by chance do these gaps coincide with your racial memory flashbacks?” Mike asked her quickly. At the look of surprise Mike sighed. “I think I know what is going on here Morgan. Don’t worry you’re not going crazy.”

“Then what is happening?” Morgan snarled.

“Your racial memories are filled with mystical power. When they are unlocked, accessed, or whatever you want to call it. Your brain is overloaded by that mystical power. Forcing you to relive that time in seconds or minutes. It all depends on the length and power of the memory as it returns.” Mike surmised. “Do you think you got your thoughts together enough to explain your theory on the Royal Seals.”

“It actually has to do with those racial theories I’ve been having the last few days.” Morgan began only to see the looks of worry crossing her friends’ faces. “I’m not going nuts guys. At least I don’t think so.”

“Mike, Tony, chill out guys. You’re both freaking Morgan out.” Lee snapped as he gave her an apologetic look. “Sorry about that Morgan.”

“Don’t worry about guys. I know that what I’m saying is a little out there. Even for me, but I got this gut feeling that there is more to these racial memories than Mike and Tony first suggested.” Morgan told them as she scratched her chin. “It’s like I’m getting this massive download over a piss poor network connection.”

“How massive of a download are we talking about Morgan?” Tony asked quickly.

“If I had to guess I would say something the size of the Library of Congress.” Morgan blushed as all three young men fought to stay in the saddle.

“You have got to be shitting us!” Lee gasped as Morgan just shrugged here shoulders blushing. “Holy Hell. I downloaded the Library once for a gage in my freshman year. It took the school’s internet six hours to complete the download.”

“Not bad considering Avalon high has one of the oldest connections on the campus.” Mike grunted then got a look at Lee’s face. “What am I missing?”

“Mike the high school and grade schools’ internet connections were upgraded four years ago. They actually have some of the fast connections out of all the campus buildings. Only the computer science department has anything faster.” Tony snorted.

“Wow. Talk about an eye opener.” Lee sighed. “Now the we know about the racial memories and flashbacks Morgan. What do they have to do with the Seals?”

“It all goes back to the Royal Families of the Melnibonéans. Like most ancient royalty they were a bunch of inbreed Freds and Jeds. I’m talking about brothers, sisters, first cousins, mothers, sons, fathers, daughters. You name the combination guys they were bumping uglies to come up with the next generation.” At the look of disgust on Lee’s face Morgan sighed. “Hey, it wasn’t considered a taboo by the royalty in ancient times Lee. They believed that was the only way to insure the succession of the throne by someone of absolute royal blood.”

“It is also one of the reasons behind royal consorts and harems. To insure that there was at least one viable heir for the throne.” Tony told Lee bluntly. “Though that doesn’t exactly explain the reason for the Royal Seals Morgan.”

“They’re not magical amplifiers Tony. They never were. They’re filters. Designed to filter out the personalities that come with the racial memories. I know that I read about something like this in my fantasy novels. What, where, when, and which book that was exactly I can’t remember.” Morgan grumbled. “All I know it was a ring and not one of the Tolkien rings.”

“Could it have been the Majestic Leaf Ring?” Mike asked quickly.

“It might have been. I’m not sure. Why?” Morgan asked him.

“Arthurian Professor TC Engelhardt wrote a set of five books called the Memories Of The Shadows. His books were never accepted among the academic world as being even remotely valid. The reason was simple as each book dealt with a separate symbol of power. They did however receive worldwide acceptance among the wicken, science fiction, and fantasy book crowd. He called all these symbols of power Neuraris Elemarbus. He got the name from a spell that he found in his research into Merlin.” Mike explained for Morgan and Lee as Tony just nodded his head in recognition.

“Shit now I know where I remember that book from. All five books are in my parents’ home library. Dad was never a real fan of Engelhardt, but mom felt that he was onto something with his theories. I wish she was here now. Because she could provide case studies for my own theory into the Queen’s tiara and Ring of Kings.” Morgan sighed as she fought off another flashback with a snarl. “Damned flashbacks.”

“How bad are they getting Morgan?” Tony asked with real concern for the young woman.

“Each time I use magic they get stronger and stronger. Not to mention more frequent. It’s like the download is becoming faster the closer it gets to the end.” Morgan snarled as she glared towards the east. “We got to find Lisa fast guys. I need to get away from this end of the island.”

“Morgan I don’t think returning to Avalon City will ease the flashbacks.” Tony told her kindly. When she glared at him Tony sighed. “I got a feeling that now that the racial memories are flooding your brain. They’re not going to stop. You said that the Royal Seals were not amplifiers by filters. What makes you believe this?”

“During one of my flashbacks or visions whatever you want to call them. I saw this person or living statue, I don’t know what to call it really. Well, they working in this massive forge. They were casting a ring and tiara from some freaky metal. Anyway, the person saw me. They turned and said. ‘Your Seals of Self shall be ready in four moons my Queen. The Sloathil must cool before the final workings.” Morgan shivered at the memory of that person’s dead eyes. “That person wasn’t a person. They had no soul. Their eyes were dead.”

“Bloody hell. A mystical artificer working their forge.” Lee gasped.

“What the hell is an artificer Lee?” Morgan demanded.

“Let’s just say that I hope we never find one. Because if this world ever finds out that there is a living artificer. We’ll be in the fight of our lives just trying to survive.” At the look of frustration crossing Morgan’s face Lee sighed. “They’re this great mystical craftsmen that can produce items of great magical power. I’m talking about Soul keeper Staffs, Thunder guard hammers, Title wave Shields, Dragon Lances, Heart bows, just to name a few.”

“What about holy, spirit, and demon swords?” Tony asked him quickly.

“They’re the only ones that can forge those swords with reliable success.” Lee answered without thinking. “As far as I know there have only ever been four. They never all showed up all at once, but once the first one appears. The other three are not far behind. Professor Mark Yeats of Yale once proposed that the return of the artificers was a sign for the end of times.”

“Isn’t Yeats that guy who got sacked because he popped hot on a piss test for meth?” Mike asked with a frown.

“Not exactly. He was canned over sexual assault charges. Nobody knows the full details. He was killed during a prison riot before his trial.” Tony answered. “The one thing we do know is that all of his theories and articles have since been stripped from every University in the world. The man is totally discredited.”

“Seals of Self. For some reason that sounds more like a protection against mind control than a mystical filter Morgan.” Lee told her.

“Normally I would agree with you Lee. If it wasn’t for the fact that the Seals allow in racial memories without all the extra baggage. You know things like pesky ghosts, or anti-social personalities. You know ones like bloodthirsty kings and queens bent on world conquest or ethnic cleaning.” Morgan snarked.

“How can you be so sure of your theory Morgan?” Lee asked her then quickly pointed out the obvious. “Without one of the seals as proof it’s only a theory Morgan.”

“He has a point Morgan. Without one of the Royal Seals as proof. All you have is conjecture, gut feelings, racial memory, and unsubstantiated facts. No matter how we boil it down Morgan. We are still academics at the end of the day. We need verifiable proof.” Tony told her kindly as he pulled along side the young woman. “We all know that these flashbacks and race memories are screwing with you.”

“I agree with Tony on this Morgan. Those Royal Seals are just too big of a gamble. Even if they’re a filter as you suggest. You having access to more powerful magic is just too damn dangerous.” Mike told her kindly.

“Guys I have to disagree. The way things are going. Morgan is already gaining more magical power with every passing day. She is also gaining more and more spells thanks to those racial memories. I hate to say this, but she needs at least one of the Royal Seals. If only to control her power.” Lee told them in honest disagreement. Then looked over at his friend giving her a sad smile. “Morgan you’re on your way to becoming a walking talking tactical nuclear weapon with a hair trigger.”

"Oh shit!" Morgan sighed heavily as she facepalmed.

----- TBC -----

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