by LH Nicole
She chanced a glance up. A large rock sailed over the ledge like it had been tossed. She took two leaping steps forward before the boulder landed where she had been standing. Another crashed sounded to the side of her. Stifling a cry, she covered her face. More shards of rocks scratched her arms, some cutting deep enough to draw blood.
Looking up again, Aliana realized why that last boulder had missed—she was under a slab of stone protruding from the cliff wall.
“Lady Aliana, you must make your way to me! Something is blocking me from getting back to you!” Galahad shouted, his voice hard and biting.
“We have bigger problems than that. Something is throwing those rocks from above!” she shouted.
He and Dagg both looked up. The Dragon shot up like a bullet toward the canyon top, but before he was more than halfway up, he was smacked down into Galahad, knocking them both farther away.
“Galahad! Dagg!” Aliana ran out from beneath her hiding spot as three more rocks came crashing down.
“Worry about yourself, not us!” Dagg ordered.
Heart pounding, she peered upward and saw a very large boulder heading straight for her. Acting on instinct, Aliana leaped forward, landing on her knees and barely getting out of the stone’s path before it hit the canyon floor. She pushed herself up, running to get under another jutting piece of slate.
“Aliana, be careful!” Galahad growled.
“Stop barking orders at me! I can’t think with you distracting me!”
She heard Galahad yell and watched him slam against the invisible barrier. A stream of purple Dragon fire arched into the air, directed at a boulder falling straight toward Aliana, but even Dagg’s magic couldn’t penetrate magical wall. She was on her own.
Safely hidden, Aliana took several deep breaths. She poked her head out from under her protective cover, and studied the cliff walls. She noted more pieces of rock sticking out along the cliff wall, and an idea struck her. If she could make it to the other coverings, she could get out in one piece, but she would need to move fast and not take another wrong step. Her heart pounded in her ears, adrenaline shooting through her limbs like wild fire.
Aliana looked at the guys again, frightened that the falling rocks would hurt them, but they both just watched her, seemingly in no danger at all. The boulders were only falling around her. How had they gotten separated in the first place? Galahad was much too careful to have allowed that to happen. Could something else be influencing us? One minute she’d been within arm’s reach of him, and the next he’d been yards away from her. Something about this wasn’t right.
Taking another breath, she listened, tuning out the commands that Galahad continued to shout. Two rocks hit the ground. Twenty seconds later, another three dropped. Next, a single, large boulder came down, followed closely by another. She waited, listening and counting. The rocks were falling in a consistent pattern, almost like the beat of a dance.
She waited for the next two to fall before taking off for the next cover. She chanced another peek up, angling closer to the wall and throwing her arms over her head as the next three rocks hit the ground. Using the time gap that followed, she made it under the next protective covering just as another rock struck behind her. She was close to the canyon mouth and to Galahad, who watched her very carefully.
Keeping her mind on the task in front of her, she waited for the next time gap. She stuck to her pattern, making it to the next slate covering without a problem. All she had to do was make it to one more ledge, and then sprint the rest of the way to safety.
Choking on rock dust, she ran forward, arriving unharmed at the last stone cover. That had been the easy part. She peeked up at the cliff’s edge before looking back to Galahad and Dagg. The open span to them was longer than the distance between the outcrops had been, but if the falling rocks kept to their pattern, she could make it—and then hope that she’d be able to penetrate the barrier that her protectors couldn’t.
Waiting for the right gap, she ran as hard as she could, dodging the tumbling rocks and their shrapnel as she went. Almost there! Her foot slid out from under her, and she fell hard onto her knees.
“Aliana!” Galahad cried as rocks crashed around her. Furiously, he pounded at the invisible wall.
Pulling herself to her feet, she made another dash toward him, chancing a glance up, and abruptly pulled back, swerving close to the wall and narrowly missing another falling rock. What would happen if she couldn’t get through the invisible wall? What could she do then? Besides get squashed like a bug in this disaster zone canyon, she thought. But she had to chance it.
Rushing forward, she reached out her hand, amazed when Galahad grabbed it as if there was no barrier at all. He yanked her into his arms, launching them both away from the crashing rocks and toward the canyon opening. She held onto him as tightly as she could, and they flew through the air. He landed hard on his back, grunting. Aliana sprawled on top of him. When her heart stopped racing, she lifted her head from his chest, meeting his shocking blue eyes.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Galahad ran his fingers through her hair, pushing the dark curtain away from her face as his eyes flicked over her, checking to make sure she was okay. She erupted in panicky giggles. She’d actually done it! She’d survived the rockslide of doom all on her own! Pride filled her. Take that!
Galahad frowned. “I do not think this is a laughing matter. You could have been killed before we even got to the king!” His eyes blazed, and Aliana felt herself getting lost in him again as sparks shot through her body. There was something exhilarating but also strangely calming about her body’s automatic reaction to him.
“This magic was not here before. I am sorry you were put in such danger,” he said.
Aliana smiled gently at him. “I’m just glad we made it through there in one piece.” Galahad frowned but the intensity in his burning gaze died down. “It’s not your fault, Galahad. You’ve been gone from here for centuries, so it actually makes sense that someone added extra protection.”
Galahad opened his mouth to say something but Dagg spoke first.
“We are now one step closer to the king,” the Dragon said, bringing their attention away from one another, “and we need to move quickly. Who knows what else stands between us and our goal.”
Galahad and Aliana got to their feet, and Dagg settled on her shoulder. She gazed back at the canyon pass, which was now completely still. “I’m not sure why, but for some reason, I get the feeling I’m being tested.”
Galahad nodded somberly, watching Aliana rub her hand over her chest as she tried to banish the persistent tightness she felt there. “Are you injured, my lady?”
“I’m still out of breath,” she lied, not wanting to alarm him. They needed to move on, and having Galahad worry about her health was only going to delay them further.
Galahad scowled but moved forward, leading them to the entrance of King Arthur’s hollow. As they walked, the adrenaline rush ebbed from Aliana’s system, but the tightness in her chest increased to a sharp pressure. She gripped her pack tightly to her chest to disguise the fact that she was trying to ease the irritation. The pressure wasn’t painful, but taking a deep breath was becoming difficult.
Thinking back, she realized that the pressure had never really gone away since she’d first entered this strange land. She had just chalked it up to nerves before, but now she wasn’t so sure and debated whether she should say something to Dagg and Galahad. Her Dragon guardian might know what was causing it and how to fix it. But what if they thought her weak for it? Or worse, what if they focused more on her than getting to King Arthur? No, it was better to keep it to herself for now.
“Around this next turn lies the hidden entrance to King Arthur’s hollow,” Galahad said.
Aliana quickened her pace, eager to see what she imagined would be an amazing sight. Rounding the corner, she stood dumbfounded. In her imagination, she’d envisioned a grand, tiered entrance lined with intricate engravi
ngs and beautiful designs, something regal and magnificent befitting for a king. But what was before her was nothing like she had expected. A steep dirt trail with steps formed by protruding roots led upward to a simple but perfect circle carved into the mountainside. Plants and moss grew wild on the curved cliff that surrounded the opening, covering everything so thoroughly that there was more green than gray. Aliana looked to Galahad with confusion, surprise, and delight.
“Quite a sight,” Dagg said.
Galahad held his hand out to Aliana, and she didn’t hesitate to take it, letting him lead her up the steps. Dagg flew ahead, circling the entrance. As she drew closer, Aliana saw that the opening was lined with smooth, gray stones covered in strange, flowing, druid-like markings.
“This is unbelievably cool!” She ran her fingers across the smooth symbols, taking in as much detail as she could. Her father would have loved deciphering these mystery drawings. Reaching into her pack, she grabbed her camera and took dozens of pictures of the entrance and the surrounding area.
“Those markings were put here by Merlin as protection against all but those of us who swore to protect our king.” The sadness crept back into Galahad’s face.
Aliana took his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze in hopes of returning some of the comfort he had given to her earlier. His eyes met hers and Aliana felt herself blush. She pulled her hand from his, and her curiosity was piqued when she saw disappointment in the set of his mouth.
“What about me?” she asked. “Will Dagg and I be able to get in?”
Galahad smiled at her. “You are the Destined One. I do not believe any magic could keep you out.”
Biting her cheek, Aliana nodded. “Well, let’s do this before I lose my nerve or come to my senses.”
Galahad studied her. “Odd. I did not think you one to back away from as easy a task as entering a cave, my lady.”
How dare he? Her offended eyes met his, and she saw mirth dancing in his blue depths. One corner of his mouth turned up.
“That was not nice, Sir Galahad.” Shaking her head, she marched past him and walked through the cave entrance.
If she had been on the outside, she would have seen the markings around the entrance flare to life, shining so brightly that Galahad and Dagg were momentarily blinded.
“Lady Aliana,” Dagg called. “We cannot get through.”
Aliana twisted around to face them. “What do you mean you can’t get through?”
“Come see for yourself, my lady.” Galahad’s voice was calm, but his face set in anger.
Unbelieving, Aliana strode back to the entrance and reached her hand toward Dagg, planning to drag the silver devil into the cave by his tail—there was no way she could do this alone—but her hand hit a cold wall. “What in the name of all that’s holy?” She placed both hands against the barrier, looking up and down, side to side, trying to find some kind of lever or something that would rid them of this nuisance.
“Your friends will not find a way in, young one,” a woman’s raspy voice said from behind her.
Aliana snapped around toward the voice. Standing in the shadows was a small figure wrapped in a dusty, brown cloak. The garment swung in tattered pieces around the woman’s feet as she walked toward Aliana, but the woman’s head remained hidden beneath a deep hood.
“Who are you?” Aliana and Galahad demanded at the same time.
The lady cackled. “My dear, you did not think that you would simply walk in and awaken him, did you?” She stepped closer. “You have done well with the first two tests, but there is one more you must pass to prove yourself worthy of claiming the title of the Destined One.” Her aged smoky, sultry voice scraped over Aliana’s skin.
“What do you mean test? Are you responsible for that disaster zone back there?” Aliana could almost feel the old woman’s cold smile.
“That disaster zone as you call it was to test your wit and ability to think under dire circumstances. There are still tasks ahead that require both. Your first test was to find the courage to face the unknown and free the lord knight and your guardian. King Arthur’s champion cannot lack the traits he had in abundance.”
Aliana wanted to roll her eyes, but she wouldn’t put it past this lady to do something terrible to her for it. Again, she studied the old woman. There was something terrible about her but also something…familiar.
“Why can’t Galahad and Daggerhorne be with me? They don’t need to stay locked outside!”
The shrouded woman cackled again. “Only the Destined One can awaken the king. She alone must prove herself worthy.”
Aliana glared at the woman for a moment, and then sighed, turning back toward her two companions. With a sad smile, she placed her palm on the cold barrier opposite Galahad’s palm, wishing she could touch him again. She knew she shouldn’t want that, because once she awakened Arthur, there would be no need for her knight to stay with her.
“Well, look at it this way,” she said, “once I do this, at least you won’t have to worry about saving me from any more death traps or magical creatures.” She laughed weakly. “And you’ll have your king back.”
“You are more than just a means to awaken my king,” he said with absolute confidence. “Do you think that I could let you walk away from us?”
Aliana’s heart jumped, and she hoped she wasn’t imagining the emotions in his words and in his eyes.
“Do not be so worried, Lady Aliana,” Daggerhorne said, breaking their moment. “You were born for this. You are more than capable of passing the final test.”
She nodded with a tight smile, appreciating the Dragon’s confidence in her, but disappointed to be reminded that she was only needed for this purpose. Then she turned and joined the old woman.
“My lady,” Galahad called out as she moved away from him. Aliana hesitated but then looked back, meeting his eyes. He didn’t say anything, but his eyes and the hand he still had resting against the barrier said plenty.
The old woman cleared her throat.
“Be safe,” Galahad finally said. Aliana smiled, then turned again, nodding for the woman to lead the way.
Aliana followed the old woman for several steps before finally asking the question burning in her mind. “Who are you? And why are you here to give me this test?”
The woman cackled. “I have been destined to give your final test since the covenant was first struck.”
“I don’t understand. What covenant? And what does this prophecy I keep hearing about actually say?”
“Knowledge is learned when it needs to be, not when we wish for it to be given. People of your world have forgotten that and grow arrogant in their quest to know everything.”
Aliana opened her mouth to reply, but her voice failed. The cave was getting darker with every step. She forced herself to take calming breaths, made more difficult by the intense pressure in her chest. Trying for nonchalant, she patted the pockets of her jeans, looking for her cell phone, but she didn’t feel it. Her heart leaped; where had she left it? Her breath came quicker, and her hands curled into fists, her nails biting harshly at her skin. “Breathe,” she hissed, trying to fight back the traumatic childhood memory that threatened to drown her.
“Are you all right, child?”
Aliana’s head snapped up, staring at the woman who now stood only a foot from her. The fading light from the entrance shined into the hood and onto the woman’s face. For the first time, Aliana got a clear look at her mystery guide. The woman’s heart-shaped face had been wizened by long years of life. Wispy, golden orange ringlets framed her high cheekbones, plump lips, and emerald eyes sprinkled with silver.
“Where are we going?” Aliana’s voice cracked.
The woman’s eyes bored into hers. Under the soul-penetrating gaze, the memory Aliana had been trying to block surfaced. She’d been a frightened child, trapped in an ancient chamber, her foot pinned under a large piece of rock that had fallen when she’d tumbled through the sinkhole above. Dust and cobwebs had choked her as s
he’d cried out for her daddy. She’d screamed when something unseen skittered across her arm. For almost an hour, she had remained trapped in the dark room with only a small ray of light to give her any hope. Her teary eyes had frantically shot back and forth, trying to see into the darkness. But there had been nothing but a cold emptiness, a room forgotten in time, a hidden monster that wanted to consume her.
Gasping, Aliana stumbled back. Her hands shook and her knees threatened to give out. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the horrible memory. Her father had eventually come to save her. He hadn’t left her trapped in the darkness.
Aliana had become stronger over the years, and she refused to let fear rule her life! Sucking in air, she found her strength again and stood straight. She couldn’t let this woman see her as weak and unable to face her demons.
The woman’s eyes lit with approval, and a small smile graced her lips. She stepped back into the darkness. For a heartbeat, Aliana thought she was alone again. But before the panic could resurface, torches sprang to life with a whooshing sound, lighting their path.
Aliana followed the woman down the corridor, taking in every detail she could. The cave walls had been covered with elegant, beautiful drawings. Standing side-to-side, eight valiant knights formed a line facing a small army of thirty or more black-armored knights. “What are these drawings?” Aliana asked, fascinated by the ancient art.
“You have searched a long time to know the truth of Camelot and its king, but the truth may not be what you wish it to be,” the woman answered cryptically.
“No disrespect,” Aliana said, glancing back at the woman, “but I have just found out that Dragons, Elves, Nymphs, and Goblins are real. I had to save a legendary knight, escape those crazy Sidhe, and I’ve been told I have to awaken one of the most famous men in history. I’ve kinda accepted that everything I thought I knew about Camelot and King Arthur is nothing close to the truth.”
“You have spirit, girl. That is good. You will need every ounce of it and all the courage you can muster to do what is needed of you.” The woman looked past Aliana to the drawing on the walls. “This shows the Fae’s account of Arthur and his men during their last battle with the evil Mordrid.” The woman held out her aged hand. Colored sparks of magic burned under her skin before they jumped to life, circling tightly in her palm. The old woman blew a gentle breath. Aliana watched, transfixed as the magic sailed from her fingers to the drawings, giving them life before her eyes.