Fire and Fantasy: A Limited Edition Collection of Urban and Epic Fantasy

by CK Dawn

  She left the dreary, dark hallways behind and headed towards a hearth’s glow. Its roaring fire promised to keep even the most persistent nightmares at bay. Through the grand archway the great hall welcomed her in with the scents of apple wood bacon and freshly made scones. The warmth began to return to her body as she took in her lovely surroundings. The expansive walls were covered by countless tapestries, each telling a story of a great battle or triumph throughout history. Some were ancient and threadbare while others looked new and vibrant. It was apparent the tradition of making tapestries was still alive here. The heat from the three giant fireplaces was like a healing salve on her skin. Each hearth’s opening was large enough to hold four men abreast. They were built to a simple yet ingenious design. Their concave shape radiated most of their heat back into the vast room. Leather sofas the color of dark chocolate and red wine colored wingback chairs were arranged in front of each fireplace anchored in place by beautiful oriental rugs. A few guardians were reading newspapers and sipping from tea cups as they took turns tending the fires and enjoying each other’s company. Down the spine of the hall ceiling were six heavy iron and wood beam chandeliers. They hung from the rafters, draping the hall in a toasty glow. At the far end of the hall was a wall of stained glass windows two stories tall. The sun wouldn’t rise for another hour so she was denied its beauty. Knowing the glass was hidden by an interior courtyard from any docile eyes, the groggy hunter wondered what magical scene it would reveal.

  Near the entrance several thirty foot tables were packed with a bountiful feast. Mounds of bacon, eggs and herb bread welcomed her. The tables were also packed with hunters from around the world. Countless new faces were mingled with ones she had briefly met the night before. Lourdie sighed, then took a seat across from Abbey who was in an intense video game discussion with a young fair haired boy. The teens were discussing something about armor stats and who had more vanity pets. Lourdie chuckled as she searched through the mountains of scones and fruits for some coffee. It seemed Abbey had found herself a kindred World of Warcraft player. Lourdie started to feel human again as she nestled into the castle’s womb.

  “Oh sorry, Lourdie, they’re all out of coffee this morning,” Abbey said passing Lourdie a pot of tea. “This is Louie Templeton, he and I were just talking shop.”

  The young apprentice was sporting Lourdie’s favorite t-shirt from her retro Nether collection. The shirt was light pink, matching the streak in her hair, and read, ‘Save a horde ride an apparition.’ It seemed very fitting armor for today’s task of trying to train hunters in what she was certain to be an impossible task. Lourdie then grumbled at the prospect of going another day without coffee. Hell. If I’m supposed to train these hunters how to conjure two orbs at once, we might as well learn how to ride the damn netherwalkers too!

  “Pleasure to finally meet you, Guardian Reese,” Louie said as his cheeks flushed.

  “Nice to meet you too, Louie. Please call me Lourdie.”

  “Truly?” Louie was in awe, as if in the presence of a celebrity. “It would be my honor.”

  Lourdie smiled, “Are you looking forward to your gloaming bond, Louie?” She took a sip of tea and immediately disliked the taste. She recalled Louie being Trista’s thirteen year old brother.

  “Oh, yes, I want to be a hunter just like my brother and cousin. And, well you, of course,” he blushed again. “Temple lets me sit in on some of their tactical meetings. Your skills and missions come up quite frequently. You’re a legend around here.” Louie looked to Abbey for help. He was turning redder by the minute.

  “Louie and I were going to go play some WoW until lunch. Is that okay, Sensei?” Abbey asked with her best puppy dog face.

  “I don’t see why not. I’m just going to go hunt down some coffee after breakfast. You kids have fun.”

  “Thanks, Lourdie!” Abbey replied quickly jumping up from the table. “Louie, come on!” The two bolted from the great hall like the roadrunner and coyote.

  Lourdie made herself a hearty plate of herb potatoes, bacon, and scrambled eggs and introduced herself to the surrounding guardians. Most were hunters here for her training but many others were archivists, scrapers, and shepherds that lived and worked here at the castle. Some of the visiting hunters took turns sharing war stories about their krim battles. One of the Japanese hunters had everyone roaring with laughter when he joked about having to banish Godzilla for the chance to be trained by the famous Lourdes Reese.

  “Well, I don’t know about famous.” Lourdie said still laughing.

  A hunter from the Bellows scoffed, “Och. Don’t be so modest, lass. Your skills are legendary.”

  Lourdie smiled then quickly busied herself with her breakfast, hoping to avoid further discussion of her upcoming training.

  A friendly debate of sorts ensued between twin hunters from the Bellows and a hunter visiting from Russia. They were arguing which combat style was more effective against krims, Lourdie's hybrid maneuvers or the Court's old standby. Lourdie's newer hybrid technique combined Capoeira and Kendo with free running, but she also borrowed mixtures of Taekwondo and Krav Maga that had been the Court's standard for years.

  With great bravado, the Russian was arguing that free running was an invaluable asset to any hunter, “Vether large or small, quick and cunning or hard as steel, like me.” He smashed his fist into his palm, “It iz good, no? Her technique vould own you if the battle went vertical, my friend.”

  Lourdie couldn’t help but smile at the Russian. He was a mountain of a man. That and his accent made her think of Bane back home. But this hulk does speak, she chuckled to herself. Sitting down, sharing a meal with fellow guardians from around the world felt amazing. Lourdie wondered if she could bring the concept back to New York with her. Make a dining area for all guardians to gather in at the Vaughan instead of retreating to private apartments all the time. She would make capturing some of Castle Clogyn’s charm her top priority when she got home.

  Lourdie got up and waved goodbye to her new friends. “I’ll see you all after lunch for free running 101.”

  Her fellow hunters all stopped their conversations suddenly.

  “What?” Lourdie furrowed her brow.

  One of the hunters from the Bellows cleared his throat, “Lass. I guess we were under the impression that we would be strictly focusing on dual orb creations, considering some hunters can only stay a short while.” He held up his hands, “Tis your class, but Temple tends to make one’s life,” he cleared his throat again, “Uncomfortable, if his requests aren’t delivered swiftly.”

  “I see,” Lourdie said under her breath as she clenched her teeth together. She hadn’t even met the knight yet, but a distasteful opinion was rearing its ugly head. “I’d hate to disappoint the man.” She took on her mentor tone, “I guess I was under the mistaken impression this would only be a minor adjustment to my normal training.” Someone questioning her combat techniques wasn’t anything new. Up until now she wasn’t even aware that this court had an aversion to her fighting style, but it was becoming glaringly obvious that it wasn’t going to be welcomed warmly. Stuffy Brit much, Temple? No problem. You want nothing but orbs? I’ll give you orbs! “Well, I guess I’ll be teaching an accelerated delvir class then. Rest up, gentlemen,” she said coolly, giving them an evil smirk. “You’re going to need it.”

  The kitchen’s medieval stone walls were lined with sleek stainless steel shelves housing hundreds of crisp white porcelain plates, lined up according to use and size. An enormous antique soapstone sink and counter seemed right at home next to a modern industrial size island consisting of granite countertops and stainless steel rinse sinks. Dozens of pies were cooling in the three open windows above the ancient sink. The windows overlooked the great hall’s open air interior garden, barely visible this time of morning. The smells of lavender and roses mingled with the aromas of blueberries and pears. The kitchen had a large arched fireplace with cast iron pots and kettles for boiling water and making stews. Nestl
ed next to it was a sixty inch commercial gas stove with double ovens. The guardians all seemed at home dancing around each other in what seemed to Lourdie like controlled chaos. Lourdie popped into the castle’s immense kitchen and thanked the guardians for the wonderful breakfast. She knew they had made the addition of some American style items for their visiting trainer and apprentice. Lourdie let them know she appreciated them making her feel at home. A retired hunter in her early seventies introduced herself as Beatrice and told Lourdie if she ever needed anything to just come see Mum B directly.

  The woman ran a clean and orderly kitchen, but there was love in every nook and cranny. Lourdie must have had a confused look on her face because Mum B explained to the American, in a rich Irish accent, that all guardians in the castle shared the workload and chores in one way or another.

  “Och. I have half a mind to keep you all to myself here in me kitchen though, child, I can see in your eyes you wouldn’t know a shepherd’s pie from a sheep herder. But don’t let that stop you from visiting me from time to time. This ol’ girl would love to share a cup o’ tea with a fine young hunter such as yourself and hear ‘bout your adventures and reminisce ‘bout mine own.” Mum B went on to state that many sleepers and guardians, and even retired hunters like herself, had come to the castle years ago and stayed ever since, “There’s a place for everyone here at the Cloak whether it be for a week or a lifetime. Mayhaps your talents would be better suited in our greenhouse. Tis a good place to unwind after a long day of training. Aye, our very own Garden of Eden it is. But, you ever want to try your hand in the kitchen you know where to find me. Now child, are you sure I can’t get you anything special?”

  Coffee! Lourdie thought tugging at her bottom lip. Not wanting to sound ungrateful she replied, “No thank you, Mum B.” She smiled warmly and watched in amazement as little worker bees buzzed around the old woman.

  “All right, child.” Mum B rubbed her hands down the front of her white apron and resumed her work, “You there, Samuel. Start a pot of vegetable stock and place it next to the fire on the hook, thank you love. And, Scarlett, lass? Watch those precious fingers of yours while you’re cuttin’ them blasted potatoes, love. They won’t hesitate to slide out from under you while you’re not a lookin’. I don’t wanna be telling no Doc his lil’ girl lost a finger or two.”

  “Yes, Mum B,” Scarlett said sweetly waving to Lourdie.

  Mum B touched Scarlett gently on the top of her head as she corrected the girl’s technique, “That’s it. Good girl, lass.”

  Young apprentices and pre-gloamers bustled around cutting and chopping meats, fruits, and vegetables, before their court classes began. Others came in with empty plates, put the remnants into compost bins, and began washing the dishes with care. Maybe someday, Lourdie thought bravely, Mum B can teach me how not to burn boiling water.

  The castle’s heart ran like a well-oiled machine, and Mum B was its captain. Mum B was right, the New York hunter didn’t know her way around a kitchen to save her life, so Lourdie made a mental note to find a section of the castle where she could volunteer her time and actually be useful. The greenhouse sounded promising. She wanted to earn her keep and not be given any special treatment. But first, jogging and coffee.

  As she ventured out of the kitchen and into the rest of the castle, Lourdie was in awe. There was no other way for her to describe it. The castle felt alive. Not alive in that it was a breathing sentient being, but alive in that there was movement wherever she went. The castle was buzzing with activity. She saw pre-gloamers, sleepers, apprentices, and active guardians alike bustling about doing the daily chores that kept the storybook fortress running. A young girl sang to herself as she carried fresh linens to the west wing. An older gentleman bid Lourdie good morning as he repaired a door’s rusted hinge while his son handed him tools. Two teenage boys playfully argued about whose turn it was to muck out the horse stalls and who was going to milk the cows. A pregnant woman carrying a basket of fresh eggs smiled brightly at Lourdie. The young boy hot on her heels carried his own small basket of eggs and waved at Lourdie as they passed by. The stone walls hummed with laughter and love from guardians one week old to one hundred years young. Camelot was alive and well in the hearts of its people.

  Weaving her way through dozens of gorgeous streamlined cars, including several of her favorite Aston Martins, Lourdie admired the new arrivals in the exterior courtyard, as she exited the outer wall of the castle. A black and silver Bowler Nemesis looked perfect for off-road fun, but the one that had her drooling and tripping over her own feet was the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport parked next to it. Its upper body was the color of heavily creamed coffee and the lower part, the color of the grey morning mist. Street legal, its top speed was a meager 258 mph. As far as Lourdie could remember it still held the record. Thinking back to Abbey’s infatuation with knights in shining armor, Lourdie giggled to herself, so this is the steed of a twenty first century knight. She touched the lovely car lightly as she passed it and walked out of the castle grounds.

  The coffee seeker followed the sound of the waves and the smell of salt spray, until she reached Loe Bar. The wide sand bridge that divided Loe Pool from the Atlantic Ocean was soft under her running shoes. Strands of hair came loose from her ponytail and tickled her face as the wind kissed her skin. The waves were crashing fiercely as she jogged towards Porthleven. The cool crisp air was refreshing and helped wash away the dregs of the nightmare, but she still hoped the quiet fishing village had something, anything, resembling a decent coffee shop.

  The morning was hers alone to enjoy. A faint rainbow arched across the sky, peeking through the dark clouds over the ocean as its light travelled down towards the distant town. The air was thick with the statically charged moisture from an approaching storm. She stopped and inhaled deeply remembering what her father always told her. ‘Lourdiebug, don’t ever forget to pause once in a while and stand in awe of a rainbow’s splendor. A guardian’s life is too fast paced. Sometimes we forget to stop and see the magic right in front of us.’ She turned in a circle taking in every sight and smell, and listening to every sound. The landscape was eerily beautiful as the fog rolled in. She tugged at her bottom lip and could taste the sea. Ocean waves crashed, wind rustled through the trees, and birds chirped happily. Mother Nature’s raw, unbridled power smashed against the shore and held the castle in her safe embrace. Lourdie thought if serenity were a visual thing, she had found it. The ancient castle seemed frozen in time, nestled in the trees at the edge of the lake. The Cloak’s location was perfect, hiding in plain sight among all the other ancient ruins, surrounded by their own myths and legends. She was falling in love with this beautiful magical place.

  The waves seemed to get rougher by the minute, but the quest for coffee drove her on. Another jogger came into focus in the distance. He appeared to be about six foot two and had the frame of Chris Hemsworth from Thor, totally her favorite action hero. She didn’t take him for a morning fisherman, however. He moved like a hunter. The distance between them shortened and Lourdie instantly sensed her fellow jogger through the bond. He was a guardian.

  “Good morning.” He slowed to a walk before reaching Lourdie. The masculine scent of leather rose above the salt and sand. “There’s a storm blowing in. It’s not safe to go much farther Miss...” Lourdie noted the elegant British accent hidden beneath a five o’clock shadow as he gestured behind him toward the fishing village.

  Lourdie stopped, “Damn, I was hoping to reach Porthleven.”

  “Running away from the castle so soon?” he chuckled through panting. His face was as chiseled as his physique. Late twenties, he had high cheekbones with a strong jaw line. Well-groomed yet slightly scruffy and rugged. Just her type.

  She looked back at how far she’d gone and laughed. The castle’s rooftops that were not hidden by the trees were silhouetted by the soft colors of the rising sun. “Oh no, I was just hoping to find a coffee shop in town. Tea just doesn’t do it for me,” Lourdie smile
d up at her newfound friend.

  “Ah, well the waves are crashing over the sea wall so the shops will be closed until the storm passes,” he said brushing his dark sandy brown hair from his forehead. “Perhaps you can try again tomorrow?” He had the most devilish grin Lourdie had ever seen, “Or learn to enjoy tea.”

  Lourdie’s smile faded as she furrowed her brow in response to his snarky remark, “Mm, sorry that’s not going to happen. A girl would never cheat on her coffee.”

  “Right then.” He resumed jogging towards the castle, “Enjoy your run. Good morning, Miss.”

  “Good morning, uh-- and thank you!” she said admiring the view. Damn I hope he’s a hunter.

  “We’ll meet again,” he said, momentarily jogging backwards, still grinning as his voice faded with the waves.

  Cocky much? Lourdie continued jogging towards Porthleven to spite him. The rebellious hunter thought she heard an approving guffaw dancing on the wind.

  An hour later, Lourdie sat down across from Abbey with a pout on her full lips. Begrudgingly, she had to admit that her morning jogging companion had been right about the storm swells crashing over the sea wall. She had to turn back not ten minutes after his warning. She sighed, hoping she could make it another day without her delicious caffeinated elixir of goodness.

  Abbey raised a carafe, opened the lid, and the aroma instantly lifted Lourdie’s spirits, “Look Lourdie, coffee.” The young girl cooed, “I think somebody likes you.”