“How do we get in?” asked Poppy.
“No way in unless you have a Chief’s sabre!” The old man chuckled as he thought of three urchins entering the inner reaches of King Arthur’s stronghold.
“Anything like these?” Tom and Poppy drew their sabres.
“How did you get those? They’re only issued to Celtic Chiefs!” The old man stumbled backwards and quickly made his way towards the gate.
“Looks like we’re running again!” exclaimed Felix as the old man reappeared with two huge soldiers dressed in chain mail shirts and rounded helmets. He was shouting and pointing straight at them. Tom grabbed his companions and push started them into running. He found a small wooden door in the inner wall. Poppy pushed it and to their surprise it opened. They huddled together waiting for their trackers to find them but they just ran straight past.
“We can’t go back out there!” Felix knew they would be like rats in a trap if they opened the door. "We have to go in!” In the pitch black, Tom and Poppy followed Felix up the narrow winding stairs behind them. They rounded a couple of turns and the darkness was broken by the yellow flicker of candlelight. They had reached a passing place. Felix took out the Book. The map showed they were still in the wall heading towards an entrance to buildings lined along the inside of the fortification. Tom’s red sword marker indicated their location on the map.
“That’s strange!” he said.
“What?” Poppy whispered.
“There’s a green star not too far away from us.” Felix looked concerned. This was the first time this symbol had appeared. He knew it wasn’t a Keeper, Guardian or The Brethren but what was it?
“Friend or foe?” asked Tom.
“Let’s see!” Felix drew his sword and led the way up the stairs towards the star.
26
Felix stopped at every landing to check the map in the dim light. Goosebumps appeared on their skin as they continued to climb the dark, damp staircase. Poppy let out a sharp, shrill shriek. A shadowy figure blocked their way.
“This way,” whispered the cloaked man, as he led the way through a door and down a narrow corridor. Scared, but not knowing what else to do, they followed. He opened a creaky old door and they all entered a small well lit room. It took a while for their eyes to adjust to the bright sunlight pouring through the two large windows. Shading his eyes from the sun’s rays Felix tried to look at the man. He was tall, thin and dressed similarly to them. His long cloak and hood had hidden a mop of long curly black hair and a thin wispy beard.
“Who are you?” asked an agitated Poppy.
“I think he’s Merlin,” smiled Felix. The man nodded and laughed.
“It’s good to see you have done your research,” he acknowledged. “What are you doing here?”
“We’ve come to see King Arthur, the first Keeper of The Book of Words.” Tom said.
“You can’t!” snapped Merlin. “Come with me and I’ll explain.”
They reluctantly followed him back down the dark staircase and out of the little door back into the courtyard. People moved aside for the cloaked man as he strode purposely through the gate followed by three urchins. The mystical Merlin took them across the river and into a wood. All alone in the middle of the oak trees stood a ramshackle stone hut with a thatched roof. They were ushered in and made to sit on small three legged stools next to the fireplace. The hut was tiny. It was filled with stuffed animals and jars of strange looking potions and powders of all colours. It smelled of damp socks and Poppy nudged Tom and giggled. Merlin pulled up a throne like chair and joined them. Felix introduced his companions and waited for their host to speak.
“How did you know we were here?” Felix had been wondering about the answer to that question since he had intercepted them in the castle. Merlin reached inside his cloak and revealed a scroll of brown paper. He unrolled it on the floor. Tom looked at Poppy and shrugged at the blank sheet before them. Felix’s eyes lit up with excitement.
“It’s another Keeper thing isn’t it?” Tom was really frustrated that he couldn’t read any of the documents. He wanted to know as much as Felix so that he could help his friend.
“It’s a map of the area,” Felix informed his friends. “It shows all the Guardians and I assume the blue crown in the woods is me and the one in the castle is Arthur.”
“You are correct,” Merlin looked deep in thought. “This is the first time this has happened. I was expecting it one day but I don’t know what it will bring.”
“Expecting what?” asked a really confused Tom.
“Two Keepers in one place!” laughed Poppy.
“We’ve seen that loads,” snapped Tom. “Why is this so special?”
Felix explained to Merlin what happens when two Keepers end up in the same place.
“The Book has a strange power,” smirked Merlin “You are the first to come back this far. You must have your reasons but first I have much to show you.”
“We want to know more about the Book so we can end the future powers.” said Felix.
“You have to know more about The Book of Words before you decide to do that,” Merlin said defiantly. “There may be more to it than finding the first Keeper.”
“What do we do now?” Poppy was getting impatient with the cloaked man.
“We must travel the vortex together,” smiled Merlin. “We need to go back in time.”
“How can you use the vortex?” asked Felix.
“Who do you think put some of the magic into the Book?” Merlin could understand that they had many questions but he also knew they needed to have a fuller picture of the power of The Book of Words so they could complete their quest.
“You are really a magician?” asked Poppy.
“I prefer sorcerer!” laughed Merlin. He gave them some water and they tucked into some of the food they had packed for their journey. “It’ll be getting dark soon. You will rest tonight and we’ll go in the morning.”
“Go where?” asked Felix.
“To the beginning of The Keeper!” declared Merlin.
27
Felix woke the others early the next day. Excitedly, they went down to the river to wash in the icy cold water. A grinning Merlin approached them from Camelot.
“Just checking on King Arthur before we leave. Ready?” He looked as eager as his visitors to get going.
“One question,” said Tom handing out the boiled sweets. “How do we travel without a picture of where we are going?”
“Magic!” Merlin held his hands above his head and waved them in huge circles whilst chanting some unfathomable language. Felix felt light headed and in an instant he was in the multi-coloured vortex with Merlin, Tom and Poppy.
They landed on the edge of a small village. Villagers were making their way into the fields full of ripe wheat to bring in the harvest.
“Ah… right place for a change,” winked Merlin. “Into the woods for a story.”
They followed the wizard into the copse and sat on a mossy fallen tree trunk. “I have never told this tale before but I hope it will be useful.”
“Great!” Tom whispered to Poppy. “I can listen to old wives tales at my Nan’s house!”
Merlin held up his hand to quieten them and he began.
“A long time ago when I was a small boy my grandfather told me stories of a powerful book. The Book is as old as time itself. Its legend has been passed down through generations of Celtic druids and it lays with me now.”
“Why you?” asked Felix.
“I am the Chief Druid of Britain. With the title comes the knowledge of all that has gone before,” declared Merlin.
“Many moons ago The Book of Words was brought to these shores by a great beast from the East. The Book was left amongst the sacred stones for us to find. I was told the beast came in a bright light, its fingers placing the stones and the Book gently down on these lands. The stones still remain but the Book was taken by the leader of the Eastern tribes of Britain for safe keeping. Every year the tribes would unite a
t the stones and study The Book of Words. They would return to their lands and prosper using the knowledge gained from the Book. The Eastern leader learned that the Book would provide answers to his questions and began to expand their lands into that of other tribes using the knowledge. At the next meeting there was a great darkness, and evil prevailed in the great battle of the stones. The Druids tended to the wounded during and after battles, and managed to retrieve the Book and retreat to the Isle of Anglesey where the Book remained hidden under the guard of the Chief Druid. Wars between tribal factions raged for millennia in pursuit of the knowledge of the Book. It was believed that whoever had the Book would rule the known lands of the world.”
“Why didn’t the druids use the Book to gain a kingdom?” Felix wondered. The three friends sat hanging on every word from Merlin’s mouth.
“The Druids serve all of nature and mankind. They could not allow man to tear himself apart in the pursuit of power by force. They vowed to protect The Book of Words for as long as they could.”
“So when did you lot give up and give it to the Keeper?” quipped Tom.
“The Romans came and their armies were led by four fearsome creatures.”
“The Brethren!” shouted Poppy.
“I know not what they are called, but they were ruthless in their dealings with the tribes of our lands. The Romans pillaged every corner of our country except for the Celtic regions of what I believe you call Wales and Scotland. They came to Anglesey but the Druids used their sorcery to repel their advance. It was thought they were searching for The Book of Words. They had learned of it on their conquests in the East and came here in search of the power to reign for ever. During the battles with the Romans, the Book was sent across the water to Cornwall where a lone Druid kept it safe and passed it on down the generations. He was my ancestor. Although there was still conflict between the tribes, the Romans remained, bringing some learning and civilisation to our shores. When they left we were susceptible to invasion from other foreign hoards. The Saxons, Angles, Vikings and others came pitching their armies in attempts to expand their lands. Britain was a battlefield. The people needed peace. The Druid council met and decided to try and unite the tribes under one leader. The only way that would be possible would be to use The Book of Words to bring them together.”
“How would the Book do that?” asked Felix.
“We thought if we offered the Book to the one leader then it would be used for the purpose we wanted. The problem was that we had to have the right leader.” smiled Merlin. “It had to be a good person with no evil intention. The only way we could find such a person was to devise a test.”
“The sword in the stone!” Tom blurted out.
“The very same,” replied Merlin. “We are here in Old Sarum near the stones for the contest for the Book.”
“Old Sarum?” None of them had ever heard of it. Felix opened the Book and studied it carefully.
“‘Old Sarum is the old town on Salisbury Plain that was deserted in the 1200’s when Salisbury Cathedral was built. Old Sarum is near Stonehenge.’ The ancient stones! Of course!” cried Felix.
“Now you know the story so far let’s go and see what happens next.” Merlin led the way onto the plain and towards the village. As they drew near, the imposing fort of Old Sarum, on a bank beyond, came into sight.
28
A loud roar came up from the fort. Men were cheering and laughing. Felix, Poppy and Tom entered through the main gate into a scene of absolute bedlam. Hands were being waved above heads and plenty of ale was being drunk. In the centre of the crowd sat a dozen men and a few women on large wooden chairs.
“The tribal leaders,” Merlin pointed out.
“Who’s the dude in the dress?” laughed Tom.
“That’s me,” said a red faced Merlin. “The dress is my Druids robe!”
The robed Druid stood on a stage. He raised his hands and announced the rules of the tribal contest. Each tribal chief was to step up in turn and attempt to remove the gleaming silver sword from the large grey stone in the middle of the wooden platform. An argument broke out amongst the contenders as to who should go first. Without warning the tribes were fighting. Punches and kicks were flying everywhere. Luckily all swords had been left at the gate. The Druid attempted to gain control by shouting above the fracas. It looked like there would be no end to it.
“Stop acting like children!” the shrill voice pierced the air and brought the fight to a standstill. Poppy was stood on the stage with her sabre over her head. “Grow up and draw lots. None of you deserve to be King!”
Embarrassed by the young girl’s intervention, the red faced chiefs sat back in their chairs. The collection of battered warriors adjusted their clothes and compared their bruises. Felix, Tom and Merlin sat on a bench laughing at the scene in front of them. Poppy turned to the Druid and suggested they draw lots, shortest straw goes next. The chiefs agreed and the quest to become King of Britain began. A huge man won the first draw and strode onto the stage, he flexed his muscles and brushed his bushy red hair from his eyes. He placed both hands firmly on the sword handle and began to pull. His muscles bulged with effort as his attempt to draw the sword failed. The same thing happened to the next five chiefs.
“This can’t be!” shouted the seventh. “The strongest chiefs have been and failed. What hope have we?”
“Chickens!” bellowed the smallest chief as he adjusted his belt, grabbed the sword and tugged with all his might. He, along with the remaining leaders, could not remove the sword.
“What now?” The chiefs were visibly angry that none of them would be King; although they fought, they respected each other as warriors.
“We fight for it!” shouted the smallest chief as he threw a punch at the red head.
Chaos once again unravelled in the fort. Bodies flew everywhere and nobody really knew who they were fighting. A blonde boy of a similar age to Tom and Felix joined them on the bench.
“Idiots!” he said. “Nothing will ever change if they carry on disagreeing about their leader.”
“True, and out of the mouth of one so young and innocent.” Merlin smiled knowingly.
“Who are you?” asked Tom.
“Arthur Pendragon, sir,” came the reply. “That’s my father in the middle of that lot!”
“Why don’t you have a go?” Tom winked at Felix and pushed Arthur through the crowd towards Poppy who was punching whoever tried to get near the sword.
“This is Arthur,” said Tom. “I think he should try!”
“I can’t, I’m not a chief,” declared Arthur.
“You’ve got to be better than this bunch of self-centred brats,” said Poppy, smiling.
“Well nobody is watching.” Arthur looked sheepish as he approached the stone.
As he was about to pull on the sword an angry looking man ran across the stage. He swooped Arthur up with one arm and bellowed, “You’re not ready for that son!”
The melee was breaking up and the chiefs were making their way to their camps for the night. They had agreed to meet again the following morning to decide who would rule the whole of Britain.
“Well that was interesting!” laughed Felix. The travellers had made a camp fire and sat in the twinkling light of the embers telling Merlin of their adventures so far. He relished every word and nodded with understanding when Felix talked about some of the problems he had encountered.
“It’s good to hear that The Book of Words is still good,” said Merlin. “The Brethren must be something from the future.”
“No they’re from the past,” declared Felix. “Do you know what the creatures who led the Romans looked like?”
Merlin thought for a moment. “A distant memory tells me there was a tale from a group who helped the Romans. They told of monsters in the form of man. They were half man and half ghost. I believe they wore long brown cloaks and growled at anyone who approached them.”
“That sounds like them.” Poppy shivered at the very thought of f
acing their foe again.
“If not here then where did they come from?” asked Tom.
“Let’s sort that another time,” replied Felix. “We need to learn more from Merlin before we tackle them. We may still be able to destroy the Book here!” Felix knew it was a long shot but he wanted to keep the others believing this would all end soon.
Merlin had found some woollen blankets which they wrapped themselves up in before drifting off to sleep next to the fire.
29
The water dripped of the leaf tips straight onto Felix’s head. He wiped his hair dry and woke his friends. Merlin was sitting next to the fire boiling water and roasting a small bird.
“Nettle tea and pigeon for breakfast” he announced.
“Lovely!” Tom had only ever been stung by nettles - he wasn’t looking forward to putting them in his mouth.
They all ate Merlin’s offering politely and returned to the fort. The sword still stood firmly in the stone and the chiefs, once again, were arguing about who should rule. Young Merlin was in his white robes but had given up trying to keep the peace and was sitting on the stone using the sword as a chair back.
Arthur was sat on the arm of his father’s chair watching them all shaking fists at each other and putting forward their claims to the British throne. He smiled at Felix and walked slowly up on to the stage. Merlin stepped aside. Arthur placed both hands on the sword handle and slowly but surely drew the weapon from the stone. He held the sword above his head. Merlin’s jaw dropped open before he smiled and announced to the arguing crowd that a new King had been found. Silence fell across the courtyard. Half of them knelt in honour and the remainder fell about laughing.
“How can he lead us?” said Arthur’s father. “He is just a boy!”
“He has been chosen,” declared Merlin. “He is true, honest and loyal. That is why he has been selected before any of you. He is young so has not been tainted by life.” Young Merlin handed Arthur the Book of Words.
Felix Jones and The Honour of The Keeper (Felix Jones Adventures Book 2) Page 8