Druid's Future

Chapter 11

Allysia was barely aware of someone catching her as she slipped from her
horse.  She could barely distinguish their faces in the light but she
felt she knew one of them. The one that looked familiar grabbed to
support her and felt the wetness at her side. He then looked at his hand
and understood. The other man was also aware of the situation.

"We've got to get her to a hospital," Jim said seeing the wound.

"No!" said the other holding Allysia. "No, hospital." 

"Why not? She needs help."

"I am aware of that." Nelson cradled her up in his arms and carried her
toward the castle. The look of determination was on his face. Jim
started to run after him, determination was also just as clear.

"No, I don't think you understand. She could die." Nelson did not listen
to Jim's pleading. Jim watched Nelson carry the unknown girl into the
castle then headed back to where the horse stood. He placed his hand on
the neck to give him a rub and pulled it back when he felt something
partially wet and sticky and he saw the reason. Quickly he took the
reigns and led the horse to the stable area now being used for his car.

Nelson carried the girl through the hall and up to the sleeping rooms
above. He placed her in one of the empty bedrooms. He did not wish to
leave the girl alone. Just then Scorpan appeared in the doorway. A look
of concern was on his face. Never before had Jim or Nelson see the Druid
look worried. He rushed to the girl's side.

"What has happened?" he asked. "I looked out my window and saw someone
ride up. And now I find that person in here."

"She's been hurt. I don't know who she is," Nelson said. "You've got to
help her, Scorpan. She'll die if you don't."

Scorpan examined the wound at the girl's side.  Never before had he seen
such a wound as that. What kind of arrow would enter it's victim's side
in one place and come out the other so cleanly.  A crossbow bolt had
been know to do that with great force behind it but it would rip a man
to shreds. This wound was cleaner. Scorpan touched her side to get a
better look and the girl flinched at the touch of his cold hand.

"Her skin is on fire," said Scorpan with concern in his voice. "I do not
know what made this wound. What kind of arrow would do this?"

"That was made by a different kind of weapon. One that would be hard to
describe right now. Can you help her?" Nelson pleaded.

Scorpan didn't say anything as he brushed the hair away from the girl's
face and nearly gasped out loud in surprise. He didn't want Nelson to
see his reaction and he quickly tried to recovered. He knew that he
would have to help her. She was one of the reasons why he was here.

"I'll do what I can," he said. "Go find Jim and bring me some clean
sheets and some hot water. Also go to my workshop. You will find on one
of the shelves a ceramic container. Bring that here as well."

Nelson left to do Scorpan's bidding, and Scorpan turned back to the
patient on the bed. Scorpan touched the girl lightly on the arm and she
turned toward him. He had sensed something the first time but he had
dared not hope. Now he was sure of what he felt was indeed the truth. As
he touched her, an awareness of who and what she was unfolded. He could
now let a little of that surprise show. 'I was the one that should have
sought her out,' he thought. 'Instead, she has found me.'

Nelson came back with the sheets, the container, and the water. He
couldn't find Jim and told Scorpan so. Scorpan didn't seem too surprised
but concern was there. Jim had been avoiding him this past week ever
since he saw him in the library and learned their language. Something
was troubling the man, and Scorpan seemed to be the source of that
trouble. He knew or could guess that it involved what Scorpan learned in
the Crystal over the last few days. If it was right and he knew that it
was, Scorpan would be forced to play his hand to aid Jim in dealing with
his conflicts and resolving Jim's understanding of his destiny.  Right
now, someone else needed him more.

As soon as Scorpan got to work, Jim appeared in the doorway watching
them. He didn't like the way Scorpan had taken charge. He still couldn't
make up his mind about the man. Learning to speak their language in less
than a week was rather suspicious in Jim's mind.  Now, this woman riding
in from nowhere. True, she looked wounded but no one could tell in that
light. She could have been acting. Jim could see the girl laying on the
bed. Scorpan had moved to the other side and now the wound was clearer.
It was plain that the wound was real. Jim was taken a little by surprise
at that. Why were they doing this?

"She should go to a hospital," Jim's voice was harsh and persistant.
Even he was a little surprised at it.

"You know the nearest hospital is 15 miles away," was all Nelson said.

Jim fell silent. Nothing he would say would change their minds. He stood
there and watched as they fussed over the stricken girl. Scorpan had
spotted him in the doorway. He could sense the inner conflict within
him. He knew he would have to deal with it soon. Scorpan placed two
dried leaves from the container into the steaming water. Quickly their
aroma was released and the sent of roses spread about the room. Scorpan
tore one of the sheets and dipped it into the water and started bathing
the wound. Then he dipped a cup into the water that he had hidden in his
robes and brought it up to the lips of the unconscious girl. Slowly he
made her swallow the mixture and then he laid her head back down on the
pilllow.

"Keep the wound bathed. Watch to make sure that her fever doesn't go too
high. Don't be alarmed at what you see." Scorpan approached Jim. His
face was stern and he motioned for jim to follow him. Scorpan walked
down the hall and entered a passageway with a winding stairs. This lead
up to his workshop. Within was the alcove that the black crystaline box
was kept. Scorpan with his powers was able to place it back in it's
resting place. Scorpan walked over to the box and rubbed his hands along
the side. A hidden panel came open revealing yet another secret. Scorpan
reached in and pulled something out that was wrapped within a rich black
cloth. Scorpan unwrapped the cloth and revealed a second object also
wrapped in the same type cloth. The other that had been exposed was a
great sword. This Scorpan strapped to his side and left the tower still
carrying the other object. Jim followed him without a sound. They both
made their way through the castle and minutes later they were
approaching the stable area. Scorpan examined the horse that carried the
girl into their midst. The wound that was on his neck had closed enough
that treatment wasn't necessary. Without a word Scorpan mounted up
without putting on the saddle that had been removed earlier. Scorpan
reached down and pulled Jim after him.

"Where are we going?" demanded Jim.

Scorpan didn't say a word. They rode in silence and Jim was aware of the
noises around him. He wished Scorpan would explain his actions but at
the same time he feared the Druid for reasons he did not know. At first
it had been exciting finding the Druid in that black box but then when
he learned how to speak modern english in less than a week, Jim started
to suspect that someone was playing a trick on him. When Jim confronted
Nelson about it, he knew nothing of it. Jim talked to other friends and
found out the same thing. As the week wore on, he found the bag of gold
that Scorpan brought with him. The coins that were in the bag were just
like some of those found in some of the chests in one of the rooms. What
was most disturbing was the ring that the Druid wore. Within the
documents that the lawyer gave him was a ring exactly like the one
Scorpan wore. Both rings were in the shape of a dragon holding a
precious stone. The Druid was somehow mixed up with his heritage and
yet, Jim had a hard time believing in that which was linked with magic.
His belief in his ancestry was from a different point of view. He
believed that Arthur had been a great warrior much like his uncle. He
had dismissed any notion that magic was involved. But now, other doubts
were beginning to creep in. Doubts that were even beginning to question
whether his uncle created the whole business just to become rich. After
all, the "documents" that Jim had were translated copies. He never did
see the originals. The lawyer claimed they were too fragil to move. Jim
tried to find the lawyer that had given him all his uncle's things but
he didn't find him. It was as if he never existed.

Jim wanted to believe that Arthur did exist but the idea that he had
been involved with magic struck a cord of uncomfortability that Jim
could not explain or understand why. Plus the more he thought the Druid
was some how involved, the more doubt came into existance. What was it
that caused Jim to fear and to be so suspicious of the Druid? Why did he
feel that this was some kind of elaborate hoax? Even something in the
Druid's appearance nagged at Jim ever since they found him. The Druid
always wore that robe with that hood that covered a great deal of his
features. He had only gotten one close look at him, and that was enough
to unnerve Jim. Still, he couldn't except what he saw. There was still
more that wasn't being seen or explained. What was he hiding?  Plus,
where did he get a ring that could also be a symbol of his ancestry?
Something else was happening during that week that didn't help matters
either. A fever or sickness was coming over Jim that would leave him
weak and confused.  Images strange and unknown would pass through his
mind like long forgotten dreams. During these times, Jim kept to himself
afraid to say anything, even to his friend Nelson. After they had
passed, he'd brood over them not sure if it had been real.

Suddenly the horse jumped down to a lower cliff that nearly caused Jim
to lose his seat. He paid strict attention to where they were going
after that. Jim didn't have that much of an opportunity to explore the
area surrounding the castle. He had spent too much time brooding over
much of his own problems that he didn't bother to take the time out to
learn about the area. Not far ahead in the moonlight, Jim could see they
were approaching a lake. He forgot that the lake was even there when he
chose the area to build his castle. In the moonlight, the lake looked
like a silver mirror. The moon could be seen reflected in it's calm
surface. It appeared more as if it was out of a tale long forgotten.
Scorpan stopped the horse not far from the shore and jumped down. Jim
followed after and stood by the horse watching Scorpan walk to the
shore. Scorpan stared out at the surface. A decision had to be reached.
Slowly he unwrapped the objected that he held. It was a worn scabbard,
studded with precious stones and ancient runic symbols. Jim had to be
told but at what price? Scorpan sensed the conflict and the suspicion
that was within Jim. But without Jim, there would be no way they could
stop the Dark One from achieving his purpose. He could be bannished,
again, but that would not end it. The Dark One would only break free,
again. He had to be destroyed. It was the only way. Scorpan also knew
that he would have to reveal more than just the Sword to Jim. Scorpan
looked out across the lake and made his decision.  Slowly he turned and
lowered his hood

End of Chapter 11