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AUTHOR'S NOTES: Just a few things to keep in mind while you're reading . . . . This storyline takes place approximately one year after the "Family Ties" storyline. Sarah is back in possession of the Witchblade and Ian has mysteriously disappeared (again). Jackie has destroyed the last incarnation of the Angelus (Appolonia's mother), and has taken a leave of absence from the mob to do a little 'soul' searching.
Thanks to all the wonderful people on the
DOTB mailing list who helped me collect some background information for
this story. I did take a few liberties with the info and tried to
be creative, but I hope this story meets your expectations!
okay . . . here we go . . .
PAST IMPERFECT, FUTURE TENSE
Prologue One - "Past Imperfect, Part 1"
by Stacy Burger
April, 569 A.D.
Today is the day.
The day Camelot will stand with the light or fall against the darkness.
Tensions have been mounting for some time. Several years to be exact. Rumors are spreading around Camelot about Queen Guinevere, my namesake. They say she has betrayed Arthur and has lain with Lancelot. They say she is causing the darkness to settle over this great kingdom.
Oh , if they only knew.
Merlin has been keeping a very detailed record of happenings leading up to this moment. He has dared not to say anything to Arthur, for fear of speeding up the process.
"Destiny must run its proper course," Merlin tells me.
Only I, his admirer and pupil, know of the impending strife and great bloodshed that is to come.
Sonatas, the ruler of a neighboring kingdom, and his queen, Angelique, have been up to some evil for quite awhile, often caught conspiring with the witch, Morgana, against Arthur himself. It started when Sonatas' armies randomly began to attack villages under the protection of Camelot. There had been little damage at first, just ordinary pillage and robbery. Then a young girl's blood was shed with no explanation, and the villagers began fighting back.
What followed was a slaughter so great, it would be centuries before it could be out done.
Arthur sent several of his trusted knights to protect the people, but they have not reported back to the king. The worst is being feared, and Arthur is weary to send any more of his knights beyond the wall of Camelot.
Now Camelot is under siege. Sonatas himself is leading the charge. His armor is like nothing I have seen...a metal darker than obsidian with the glisten of blood upon it. Merlin tells me it is a gift from Morgana, a power of Darkness which can only be matched by two things - the power of light, and something equally dark.
"But even the power of light is against us," Merlin warns, "for Angelique rides by Sonatas' side, wielding her own armor and magic."
I watch in fascination as Merlin uses a spell to open a secret passage. He beckons me to follow and I feel as if I can not disagree. We walk into a room, filled with tapestries and paintings - pictures of things gone by and things to come. In the center is a stone pallet holding a very precious object. Merlin carefully lifts the glass surrounding the object, then takes the object from its sacred spot. He holds it out to me, but says nothing.
I am at a loss to explain how I feel, just looking at it. The object is both beautiful and terrifying - a glove of some sort, made of a metal not of this earth. It could easily pass as a portion of the king's own armor, yet it is unique in all aspects.
I step forward slowly, my own hand quivering as I reach out to touch it. There was this incredible feeling as the glove began to change forms -- a rush that washes past the senses, like it was trying to connect with me. Surprised and frightened, I try to withdraw my hand, only to find it reaching out for me. It encompasses first my fingers, then my arm, then my body, as it slowly merges with my very soul.
I see Merlin smile as he watches. He knew this would happen. He had foreseen it in his visions. I wish I could be angry with him, but the feeling of this glove is so incredible. And he had entrusted it to me.
When next I see myself, I am engulfed by the strange metal in an armor of sorts. I can feel its power surging through my blood.
"Take care, Gin," Merlin says. "The metal has a mind of its own. It will care for you only if you care for it."
I close my eyes, and I feel the metal changing shape around me. I look at myself again, and I am wearing my normal garb, and the metal has taken rest upon my wrist. I can feel it's peace as it rests.
"Fascinating," I whisper, still staring at my wrist. Then I look at Merlin and ask, "Why? What purpose does this serve?"
Merlin takes my wrist and says, "This is what Sonatas and Angelique seek. It is the final piece of power they need. Now that it has a wearer, it will not be so easy to take."
He releases my hand and turns toward a painting on the wall. On it is a woman, several years older than myself, with my same features. She, too, holds the object in her hand, but something looks out of place. Her clothes and hair are different and there is a touch of uncertainty in her brown eyes.
"You are to go to her," Merlin tells me. "Help her come to terms with her new-found power. The fate of the future depends upon your success. The object can tell you all you need to know." I begin to plead, but Merlin is firm. "Camelot is lost, child. Step into a new world, and do not look back."
I did not notice the portal of light behind
me until it is too late. I try to fight it, but I can feel myself
being drawn into it. The object is also pushing me on. I can
feel it's anxiety and hopefulness. Remembering Merlin's words, I
stop fighting. I feel the objects happiness at my response and smile
before the world around me turns black.
END PROLOGUE ONE
