Richie rounded the last curve in the tunnel before the mouth of the cave and could see Morganna and Jon looking at a man who stood with his back to Richie. To any one else, Jon looked calm and in control, but Richie knew him better than that. Jon’s eyes flashed with an icy blue glare that would’ve had anyone that knew him running for cover. Richie took a closer look at the man with his back to him, and could see another pair of feet between his.

Small feet.

He quickened his pace moving closer to the mouth of the cave. Closer to the opening, he could hear their voices, although they sounded muffled as if coming across a phone line that someone had covered the mouth piece with his hand.

Without thinking much past saving Jon from impending doom, Richie stepped through the mouth of the cave and rushed the remaining two steps it took to bring him within sword’s reach of Lucifer.

Richie moved faster than he’d thought possible, so fast that he didn’t realize there was a very sharp dagger point against Fiona’s chest until he had his sword point at Lucifer’s back. “Let her go,” he ordered softly.

“Ah,” Lucifer replied, as if commenting on the weather, “the other siren joins the discussion.”

Richie’s hand on the sword hilt tightened slightly. “I said, let her go,” he punctuated the sentence with a turn of the sword against Lucifer’s back.

“Rich,” Jon said softly.

Having known Jon for more years than he hadn’t, Richie recognized the note of warning and even panic in Jon’s voice that none of the other participants in this tableau would, but he wasn’t willing to take his eyes off Lucifer long enough to meet Jon’s eyes and reassure his brother that he knew what he was doing.

Lucifer sighed dramatically. “Poor Siren. You know the paradox of my existence. You can’t kill me.”

The grin that shaped Richie’s full lips was downright diabolical. “No, but I can make it hurt like a motherfucker.”

With elegant grace, Lucifer shrugged one shoulder. “Ah, but a little pain never hurt anyone.”

A deep and echoing voice filled the small clearing. “I can make it hurt more than just ‘a little’.” The echo of the last word had barely faded away when Merlin’s corporeal form materialized only a few feet from Jon.

“Destroying me would be destroying yourself, wizard,” Lucifer reminded, “and that would most certainly constitute ‘interfering with the balance of power’.”

A smirk as great as one of Jon’s own curved one corner of Merlin’s mouth. “‘Destroying’ is such a strong word -- that leaves way too much to the imagination.”

With an arrogant tilt of his head, Lucifer replied, “If you were trying to inspire fear, you’ve failed miserably. I know you would never break ‘The Rules’.”

A very unladylike snort came from Fiona, before she could stop herself. Her brother had seemed to almost forget that there was even anyone else present besides himself and Merlin. She certainly didn’t want to draw his attention back to her.

Merlin’s eyes met Fiona’s for only a nanosecond, before jerking back to meet Lucifer’s. “Of course you are correct,” he said with a Cheshire grin. “But, I have been known to bend them a time or two.”

Lucifer’s voice was thick with sarcasm. “You, Merlin? Really?”

Richie pushed the point of Dorado harder into Lucifer’s back. “This is all very amusing,” the King of Swing’s voice held a healthy dose of sarcasm as well, “but, I’m still waiting.”

During the conversation with Merlin, Fiona had felt her brother’s grip on her loosen. As his distraction grew, his grip on her slipped even more. With her arm still at her side, she tightened her hold on her sword. She took a deep breath and tucked her chin under Lucie’s arm, then bit down as hard as she could, at the same time she swung her arm backward as hard as she could, slamming the pommel of her sword into his groin.

Every male in the clearing groaned, one in pain, the rest in sympathy, as Fiona stumbled forward after gaining her freedom.

Black blood stained the tip of Dorado as Lucifer reared back from the attack on his nether bits. He roared in agony and anger as the purity of the gold in the blade invaded his less-than-pure body.

Jerking away from the sword’s intrusion, Lucifer’s grip on his sister loosened, and as she slipped away, he cupped his hands around himself to fend off further attacks on the family jewels.

Fiona took the opportunity to grab Jon’s hand and took off running, dragging him behind her. Morganna followed suit, pulling Richie along, leaving Merlin alone in the clearing with her brother. She was sure the wizard could take care of himself.

Standing a few feet away from Lucifer, Merlin raised one eyebrow as a smirk stretched his full lips. “Imagine that, not a single rule broken.” Then the wizard disappeared before Lucifer had a chance to comment.

As she ran toward Stonehenge, with Jon keeping pace by her side, Fiona couldn’t help but berate him. “Ho’ coo’d ya?” She shook her head as she ran. “Ho’ coo’d ya ‘ave even thaw’ a goin’ wi’, Lucie?”

The Irish in her voice told Jon how agitated she was. “I had to,” was all he said.

“Tell me tha’ ya knew Rich was there,” she almost pleaded, as they entered the ring of stones.

“I won’t lie to you. Even if it’s what you want to hear.”

“Ya canna risk the res’ o’ thuh world fo’ me, Jon.”

He grabbed her upper arms and shook her gently. “Yes, I can. And, I did. Let it go.” Although he didn’t say it out loud, he was beginning to realize she was right. He’d acted rashly, letting emotion dictate his actions. There was way too much on the line to sacrifice it all for one woman. The whole world was at stake here, and he needed to remember that. A whole world that included his kids.

* * *

When Lucifer was quite alone in the clearing, his rage grew. His anger was mostly self-directed, for how could he allow his sister to get the better of him? He swore as he took a gentle step; the bruising of tender his male parts making motion uncomfortable. He didn’t have adequate time to prepare. Had he but a scant few more minutes, he would have had no trouble in getting control of Excalibur.

That was the fault of someone else entirely.

“Damn you Centurion,” he shouted, making the trees shake.

When Lucie’s rage had subsided to a dull roar, he called forth the Centurion for an accounting. He narrowed his gaze at a spot ten feet in front of him and growled, “Show yourself, Centurion.”

With a barely audible pop, Alec appeared in the clearing, startled to no longer be in his home. “What the – hell?” he said, puzzled at his location.

“Precisely,” Lucie answered, causing Alec to whirl around.

“Yes, my Lord?” Alec asked, looking around with scared, ping-ponging eyes.

“Do you know where you are?” Lucie demanded.

Alec slowly turned around, hesitant to turn his back on his master, and tried to swallow the heart that had taken residence in his throat. “This is not far from Stonehenge.”

“Yes. And what do I have in my hands?” Lucifer demanded, showing Alec his empty palms.

Alec frowned. “Nothing m’lord.” His frown turned to fear when he realized what this meant. Lucifer was unable to retrieve Excalibur from Jon, and was looking for a scapegoat.

“You failed me, Centurion,” Lucie intoned. “Why did you not slow their departure? I did not have adequate time to prepare.”

“I could not,” Alec answered, his trepidation growing. “They moved too quickly. I was there, at his house, and I rang the bell, but they had already gone.”

“There must be a ring on the premises,” Lucie muttered to himself. “It is a lucky thing for you, Centurion, that I yet have need of you. Many more competent than you have perished for less. You will learn of their plans. You will inform me of same.” He snapped his fingers, and the Spear appeared in his hand. “If you are not successful, you will not like the consequences.”

* * *

Fiona blinked and they were standing in the Ring in Jon’s backyard. She smiled her thanks to her sister; at least one of them still had their head in the game. Morganna smiled back, nodding her head once in silent acknowledgment of her sister’s thanks. Fiona smiled up at Jon. It had been reckless of him to have even considered going with her brother and risking Excalibur for her, but she was touched that he had; her anger dissolved at the thought. “You have to think of your destiny, Jon,” she gently reminded him.

“Let’s go inside and see to these wounds,” Morganna suggested.

“Oh yes!” Fiona sniffed the sleeve of her shirt. “I smell like Lucie and need a shower.”

“Will she be alright,” Jon asked Morganna, concern etched in his features.

“Yes,” she answered, a reassuring smile on her face. She turned to Richie. “I am glad you did not tarry long in the tomb,” she said softly.

Richie’s eyes immediately darkened as all the memories of Morganna, Accolon’s memories, came to the forefront of his mind. “I learned a lot in that chamber,” he said, running his eyes roughly over Morganna’s form. He said nothing more as he stood aside to let the sisters proceed to the house.

“Are you fucking insane?” each man demanded of the other, once the girls were out of ear shot. They glared at each other, saw the expressions on each others' faces, then burst out laughing.

“Dammit, Jon, you nearly fucked up royally there,” Richie said, shaking his head.

“Me?!?” Jon said, incredulously. “What about you and the ‘let the girl go’ routine? Did you think that shit would work?”

“It might have,” Richie said. “But if it didn’t, I knew you’d have my back. Once you did your ‘no, don’t take her, take me’ shit, it would have been all over but the cryin’ man.” He shook his head, remembering the outcome of the afternoon. He chuckled.

“What is so damned funny, Rich?”

“Fiona. That girl’s got moxie. But who would have thought the devil could be taken down by a crotch shot like that.”

“Yeah,” Jon said, sharing his friend’s mirth. A completely Richie-like thought occurred to him as he stared at Excalibur in his hand. “Kinda gives new meaning to Sword in the Stones, eh Rich?”

“Aw man, that’s cold,” Richie said, laughing.

The two men, swords at their sides, strode for the house, to check on their fey.


Note from the Authors: with the Christmas holidays next weekend, we may not have a chapter for you next Friday.  We may, but we may not.  No promises, okay?  


~ T and Hath

Alec sat alone, under a large, dead tree. He closed his eyes and concentrated, and soon the smell of sulfur was strong on the air.

“You have something to report?” Lucie rumbled, his voice steely and cold.

“I do,” Alec answered. He proceeded to tell his Lord what he had overheard at Jon’s house, surprised at the slightest twinge of guilt he felt in the back of his mind.

Through the recitation, Lucifer paced back and forth, and the grass beneath his feet withered and died. When Alec finished telling his tale, Lucie smiled an awful, evil smile.

“You have done well, Centurian,” he intoned. “Now, you must away back to that dwelling and delay their departure. I must prepare for their arrival.”

“How should I do that, my Lord?” Alec asked, the twinge now becoming more of a throb.

“It makes no difference to me,” Lucie answered impatiently. “Just make it so.”

“Yes, my Lord,” Alec said, and scurried away.

Long after Alec had left the wood, Lucie still paced while he plotted in his head. Though he had had a lifetime to prepare for this day, he never truly believed it would come to pass. Now that it had, he had to make sure his plan was perfect.

* * * *

Fiona was sulking. Through no fault of his own Jon, wielding Excalibur, out-sparred her.

“At least you got in a good strike,” Richie said, eyeballing the rapidly healing scar on Jon’s arm. Fiona had slashed him during their duel.

“Aye, but he should not have bested me,” Fiona replied, nearly sticking out her bottom lip.

“’Twas not him that bested you, dear sister,” Morganna said, smiling. “’Twas Excalibur. Surely you didn’t believe you could out-fight such a warrior.”

“I thought I would do better than I had,” Fiona groused.

“There’s always next time,” Jon said cheerfully. “I will gladly give you a rematch.”

Before Fiona could start an argument with Jon, Morganna spoke up. “Now is the time to lay out our plans,” she said. “I must let you know what you will encounter, at least as much as I know, and we must decide our course of action.”

“Agreed,” Richie said. “I really want to know what to expect.” He led the foursome into the dining room, and they all took seats at the table; Jon and Fiona on one side, Richie and Morganna on the other.

Morganna looked at Richie. “Do you remember what I showed you in the water?” she asked softly. When Richie just nodded, she continued. “Accolon was a warrior; a knight in Arthur’s court. He was killed in a mighty battle with Mordred. We believe, nay, we know, that when spirits as strong and just as Accolon’s depart their human hosts, they do not fade away – they simply await the opportunity to be born again.”

Richie hadn’t taken his eyes off of Morganna as she spoke. Slowly, he started shaking his head. “You mean to tell me, that not only do I look like your dead boyfriend, that I am him? No. No way.”

“It is so,” Morganna said softly. “The more I see of you – your bravery, generosity, and humorous spirit – the more I am convinced. You are the only one who can go into the cave. Another human would not be able to see the cave opening, and if they try to follow you, they will be unable to pass.”

“’Unable’?” Jon asked. “Like a force field or something?”

Morganna frowned. “I do not know, but you would walk into the rock-face you see before you, even while Accolon – apologies, Richard – passes through it unharmed.”

Richie shook his head. “That sounds far-fetched.”

Jon just laughed. “What about this whole thing has been close-fetched? Man, we’ve seen shit that would straighten D’s hair. I hate to say it, and this does NOT mean I was wrong, but what’s the harm in going? If you don’t see the cave opening, we come home, and the fairies – SORRY!—fey go look for another jamoke.”

Fiona led them to the back garden, to the ring of stones hidden there. They joined hands, each fey with her charge, and stepped into the ring. Just before they disappeared, Jon heard the faint sound of his doorbell.

The pink of the sunset had barely started fading to mauve when the brothers and the fey appeared in the large circle of stones. The first stars of night hadn’t even started twinkling in the sky, but the hush of darkness had already settled on the area along with the light dew of evening.

Jon was the first to comment on where they were. “Stonehenge? You brought us to Stonehenge?”

“Stonehenge is a fairy ring? Cool,” Richie grinned as he looked around.

Morganna was the one to explain. “Stonehenge is the most powerful ring ever. It is so much more than a ‘fairy ring’. It’s also the gateway to Avalon.”

“Sister,” Fiona cautioned Anna about saying too much.

Morganna shrugged her off. “Fee, I’m to the point of breaking. I care not about them ‘knowing too much’.”

Jon grinned. “I think she means the breaking point.”

Fiona spoke over him. “I care. They need to keep their minds on one task at a time. I will not have them preoccupied during a battle.”

“So you think we will be attacked here?” Jon asked, looking around.

Fiona also looked around, scanning the horizon for signs of trouble. “I am not sure,” she admitted. “It would do for us to be cautious, however, and on our guard.” She nailed her sister with a stern look. “And having a myriad of new questions in your mind to be answered will not help you be wary.”

Morganna’s shoulders slumped. “You have made your point, sister.”

“Alright,” Richie said, clapping his hands together once and smiling widely. “What do we do now?”

“Now,” Morganna said, “we visit Accolon’s tomb.” Her plain language shocked the men, and truth be told, she shocked herself a bit.

“Alright then,” Richie said, a little less enthusiastic now. “Lead the way.”

Morganna led them away from the circle of stones and toward a grouping of trees . The trees seemed to be clustered around a boulder that sat near the precipice of a cliff. “Here,” she said, indicating the stone.

“’Here’ what?” Jon asked, looking around. “There’s nothing here but a stone and,” he took a step near the edge and peered over, “shit, a really steep cliff.”

“Are you kiddin’ man?” Richie said, walking straight over to the rock. “There’s a cave right here.”

“Right where?” Jon came to stand by Richie. “There’s nothing here.”

“It is enchanted,” Fiona reminded them, “to keep it protected. Only the fey, and the one meant to enter the cave, can see it.”

“And Richie is the one meant to enter?” Jon looked at the rock dubiously.

Morganna lightly rested her hand on Jon’s forearm. “If he can see the opening, then that removes any doubt. He is the one. He is Accolon.”

“And what do I have to do exactly?”Richie asked. “Remind me one more time. I just go in, get the sword, and come out, yes?”

Fiona nodded at Richie, though her head swiveled around on her neck. Something wasn’t right. She cold feel it. “Aye, tis correct. Don’na ye be lingerin',” she said, her brogue getting thicker in her agitation. “Else twill be bad fah ya.”

“Got it,” Richie said, swallowing hard.

“Be careful man,” Jon said. “This is serious shit. Do your thing and get your ass back here. I’d miss it if it were gone.”

Richie nodded. “You got it, man. You watch your back here.” He turned back to the black opening and took a step toward it.

Just before Richie stepped into the cave, Morganna added, “No matter what you may see or hear in that tomb, please, come back quickly.”

Richie smiled, dimples flashing. “Don’t you worry, darlin’,” he said. “I’ve got somethin’ to come back for.” He pressed a hurried kiss on her lips, and stepped through the mouth of the cave.

“If I didn’t see it with my own eyes,” Jon said, agog, “I wouldn’t have believed it. He’s gone.”

“Not gone,” Fiona said. “Not yet.” She looked at her sister, who was standing shell-shocked, staring into the depths of the cave. “So and are ya all here, sis?” she said. “Ya canna be flittin’ off now. D’ya feel wha’ ahm feelin’?”

Morganna brought her attention back to the present. She could feel something on the air. Something electric. Unpleasantly so. “Gird yourself, mortal,” Morganna said, blinking into warrior garb.

“Aye,” Fiona said, her own clothing changed. “Ready yerself.”

* * * *

A quarter mile away, a low, black cloud formed on the horizon. A hissing and snarling grew louder as the cloud descended toward the earth. As it touched down, the cloud dissolved into a trio of humanoid beasts and one very beautiful looking man.

“I know they are near,” Lucifer growled. “I can practically smell my sisters.” He scanned the distance with eyes sharper than those of an eagle. He cocked his head, listening for the faintest sound on the breeze. As he listened, a smile broke across his handsome features. “Ah, they are near,” he said. “Go,” he ordered his minions. “Go and fetch the chosen one. Do not disappoint me again. You will not be happy with the consequences.”

* * * *

Richie looked behind him, and saw Jon and the girls looking around like they expected to be attacked at any minute. “Get your ass movin’ then, asshole,” he muttered to himself. He peered ahead into the darkness. “How the fuck am I supposed to find anything in this place,” he muttered. “Oh well, in and out, right? It can’t be that hard.”

He placed his right hand on the cave’s walls and started forward. He hadn’t gone five steps before a torch above his head lit of its own accord. Richie smiled. “That’s fucking cool,” he said. He stepped back and saw the torch extinguish. Stepping forward once more, it once again lit, and Richie shook his head. “Damn.” He made his way forward, checking behind him every few steps. As he passed through to the edge of the cone of light each torch provided, it went out, leaving darkness in its wake. He could no longer see the mouth of the cave, and hoped that Jon and the girls were okay.

* * * *

“How long do we leave him down there,” Jon asked, the girls’ anxiety making him edgy. “Can we go in after him if he doesn’t come out?”

“No,” Morganna said quietly. “And lower your voice. We do not know who is watching us.”

“What do you mean ‘no’!” Jon yelled, heedless of Morganna’s warning. In the distance, the ears of Lucifer’s beasts pricked up, and they shifted direction, heading toward the copse of trees.

“It is just as the riddle said,” Morganna answered. “He must go alone and not linger . He must come out on his own, with the sword.”

“Sister,” Fiona warned, staring at the dark shadows on the horizon.

“Aye, I see,” Morganna answered. “Concentrate now on staying alive,” she said to Jon. “Accolon – Richard – will have to take care of himself.”

* * * *

Richie found himself in a large hollowed out room, ringed with lit torches. In the center was what looked like a stone sarcophagus, on a raised platform. Ornate mirrors and tapestries adorned the walls. He could not see the ceiling of the room, but guessed that the torches had to be at least fifty feet up.

“No fucking way,” Richie said. “I am not robbing a fucking grave.”

“It is not stealing if you take that which is yours,” a strong voice said from behind him.

“Who the fuck is that?” he said, spinning around.

Richie caught his reflection in the mirror directly behind him. Only it wasn’t his reflection – not exactly. The face was right, but the hair and clothing was all wrong. Richie approached the mirror. “Holy shit,” he whispered. “This isn’t happening.”

“Ah, but ‘tis happening,” Accolon answered. “There is no way around it. And you will be fighting soon.”

“But I have so many questions,” Richie said. “How is all this happening? What happened with you and Morganna? Am I really you reincarnated, so I’m talking to myself?” He shook his head. “That’s fucked up.”

“I can answer all your questions,” Accolon said. “Come, sit.”

Richie looked around and found a wooden stool. He pulled it over to the mirror and sat in front of it. “Tell me about this place. Is this really your tomb? How is it that you’re in the mirror? Is it your spirit?”

Accolon laughed. “Yes to all of it. My remains are in that tomb behind you, and Merlin put me here to guard it.”

“I thought that it’d be safe, seeing as how only the fey know of this place.”

“Yes,” Accolon said, “it is true that her brother and others of his ilk lack the ‘pure magick’ necessary to enter this place, but if they have control over the one, the, well, me, then they can gain the Sword of Dorado. Though its power does not match that of Excalibur, it is very strong. Its power could easily be abused.”

“Where is the sword? Is it in, you know, the crypt?” Richie grimaced involuntarily.

“No,” Accolon laughed. “Heavens, man, it has been hundreds of years since I have laughed so. No, Dorado is under the crypt.”

“How do I move it?” Already Richie was circling the heavy sarcophagus, looking for rails or wheels or something.

“You don’t.” Accolon disappeared from the mirror and the crypt started to slide slowly off its pedestal. Richie saw the glint of something in the torchlight. Gold. Dorado. He slid his hand in quickly and noted the sword was cool to his touch. He levered the sword from its resting place. Almost immediately, the sword warmed in his hand, and started to pulse. Slowly, like Richie’s own heart. As he hefted the weapon, he caught his reflection in the mirrors. For a moment, he saw an armored knight shadowing his motions. When he caught the eye of his reflection, a flood of memories, Accolon’s memories, invaded his brain.

Crying out in surprise, Richie dropped to one knee, never letting go of the sword. “Sweet mother of God,” he whispered, as visions of Morganna, conversations with Merlin, and fights with baddies of all shapes and sizes all found homes in his memory. Richie felt weak and so tired. If he could just rest for a little while, he would be better able to help Jon and the girls when he got out of this godforsaken hole.

“You must hurry,” Accolon said. “I can see you weakening.”

“Nah, nah, I’m just, this is overwhelming. All my questions are answered. All of them. Including how the hell we can beat Lucifer. We can’t.”

“You can,” Accolon said, “but you cannot destroy him. There is a difference. Search your memories, and you will see.”

Richie did just that, flashing to a conversation Accolon had with Merlin about good and evil. He heard the wizard speak of the necessity of both good and evil in the world. How they balanced each other out, and though the powers of good were far stronger than those of evil, they could not be brought to bear fully, or the balance of the universe would be torn asunder. For without evil, how would one recognize that which was good?

“I see you remember,” Accolon said, fading in the mirror. “You have the knowledge you need. Go now, you must go.”

Richie nodded. “Okay, okay, I’m going.” He left the room, stopping to look over his shoulder. “Fucked up,” he said again. Hefting the sword in his hand, running his palm over its length he took a deep breath. “Let’s get this done.”

*****

“What the fuck is taking him so long,” Jon grumbled. “I’m getting tired of this surrounded by demons shit.”

“Steady,” Fiona said, steel creeping into her voice.

The trio of beasts had them cornered. They could not move back any further, or they would go off the cliff. The beasts did not allow for a sidelong escape back to Stonehenge, and of course they could not enter the cave. As Jon watched the beasts grew larger, until they were mountainous creatures.

“Fuck me,” Jon whispered, just under his breath. “Rich, man, hurry up.”

When the first beast leapt, Morganna stepped forward, slashing at it with her sword. The blow glanced off the hide of the creature.

“They are armored!” Morganna cried. “You are going to have to aim for their unprotected areas!”

“Like what?” Jon yelled, swinging Excalibur toward another of the beasts with both hands. Sparks flew as the blade hit the muscled thigh of the creature in front of him.

“The head,” Fiona called back, as she swung for the closest beast. “Be aimin’ for the head!”

“They’re too fucking tall!” Jon screamed as he was knocked down. “And they’re coming too damned fast!”

“Then go for their bellies, where the armor doesn’t quite reach!” Fiona yelled, lunging at the creature in front of her. Her eyes widened as a thought came to her. “Sing! You can slow them down if you sing, remember?” She struck at the closest beast and hideous green blood seeped from a cut on its forehead. The demon roared with rage, shaking the very trees around them.

“What the hell am I supposed to sing?” Jon rolled away from the massive boot that was speeding toward his head.

“It does not matter!” Morganna yelled. “Just sing!”

Jon took a breath as he sprang to his feet, and sang the first thing that popped into his head. “A, B, C, D, E, F, G...”

“Alphabet?” Morganna shouted. “You’re singing the human English alphabet?”

“You said ‘just sing’ so that’s what I’m doing,” Jon sang. It appeared to be working. Maybe. “H, I, J, K, ellamennapee...”

“There is a letter called ‘ellamennapee’?” Fiona asked. The next blow she struck hit the beast in the stomach, and it staggered a bit before falling to one knee. The demon shook its head, trying to clear what had to be muddle-headedness from it.

“Sister, never mind,” Morganna yelled. “It is working. Keep going, Jon.”

“Q, R, S, T, U V,” Jon sang on as he lowered his sights, and swung with all his might at the demon he was fighting. The blade caught the soft flesh below the chest armor, and got stuck for a moment before pulling free with an audible POP!

“More!” Fiona called. “Sing more!”

Jon continued, “W, X, Y and Z.” He spun around, holding the sword at shoulder height, and struck his demon, knocking it off balance. “Hurry up, get out here, Rich, help me fight this demon bitch.”


A steely arm around her neck made Fiona gasp in surprise even as she was pulled back against an iron hard body. The smell of sulfur told her who had dared to put their hands on her. Her brother’s voice was loud in her ear when he yelled the order to “Hold” to his demons.

Suddenly, all the eyes in the clearing were turned on Fiona and her captor. Fiona couldn’t quite keep the sarcasm out of her voice when she growled, “It’s good to see you, brother dear.” The last word came out with a strangled gasp as he tightened his arm around her neck.

With a slight motion of his head, Lucifer’s demons disappeared leaving behind nothing but little puffs of smoke. “I’m sure you’re as happy to see me as I am to see you two,” Lucifer replied with saccharin sweetness.

Jon’s face was carefully blank, but the fire in his blue eyes wasn’t as easy to hide. “Let her go,” his voice actually sounded calm, like he was placing an order at a fine upscale New York restaurant.

Fiona opened her mouth to reassure Jon, but was cut off when Lucifer put the point of a sharp dagger against her chest. “One word, sister dear, and I’ll be happy to send you Home.”

She growled softly. “You wouldn’t want to give me that pleasure.”

“Don’t count on that,” he growled back, close to her ear.

Her eyes found Jon’s, and disregarding Lucifer’s threats, raised her voice so that Jon could hear her. “Don’t worry. He wouldn’t want me to be able to go Home.”

Lucifer tightened his hold on his sister, and the dagger point pierced her leather shirt, drawing one little drop of blood that Fiona felt dribble down her chest and abdomen. “Siren, I’m hoping you’re more intelligent than you look,” his voice was silky smooth as he continued, “I will happily dispatch my sister or anyone else on the face of this Earth to have control of Excalibur.”

Jon took a step toward Lucifer and Fiona, twirling Excalibur threateningly around at his side, her handle swirling expertly around his hand to land again in his palm. His voice turned downright frosty when he softly ordered again, “I said, let her go.”

Morganna laid one hand on Jon’s forearm halting his forward motion. “Careful, Jon.” She had already recognized the Dragon hilt of the dagger held at her sister’s heart. “That is a silver dagger.”

One corner of Lucifer’s mouth quirked upward in an evil half smile. “So perceptive,” he said, letting it sound like a true compliment. “Siren, I will let her go, if you agree to go with me.”

“No,” Morganna gasped with a shake of her head. “Don’t do it, Jon. He knows he cannot control Excalibur on his own. He needs you to wield it for him, and you must agree to go willingly.”

A fleeting thought sliced through Jon’s mind. Childhood dares and scary stories told by a campfire. “He can’t take you unless you go willingly, and he can’t come into your home unless invited.” A comforting thought to a mischievous little boy, but not so much to a grown man.

“And if I don’t?” he asked of the group, not aiming the question directly at Lucifer.

“I will kill her,” Lucifer stated flatly, his voice lacking even an inkling of inflection.

Jon’s eyes met Fiona’s over the steel band of her brother’s arm. He saw the slightest negative shake of her head and the pleading look in her eye, begging him not to do what her brother was demanding. He gave her a gentle smile, and lowered the point of Excalibur until it pointed toward the mossy green earth.

Jon took one step toward the pair of siblings, and Fiona cried out, “NO!”

“I’m sorry, Fee, but I can’t let him hurt you,” Jon told her softly, even as he took another step toward them in surrender.

Merlin’s sanctuary smelled of candle wax and old books. It had always comforted Morganna in the past, but now the knowledge of what the books contained failed to soothe her. She knew that among the volumes was one which held untold secrets of the destiny of her charges. She scanned the dim chamber and spied Merlin at the far end of the room sliding a book back onto an overloaded shelf she hadn’t ever noticed before. Could it be that this was the book that would give her the answers she sought? She memorized its location, but watched in horror, as with a wave of his hand, the shelf disappeared, and a familiar stone wall was once again in place.

Without turning toward her, Merlin spoke. “Yes, Morganna, you have something more you wish to discuss?”

“You know what it is I wish to speak of,” Morganna answered. It had taken her all of three heartbeats to decipher the riddle, and she wanted – no needed – another option.

Merlin sighed. “I have helped all that I can, giving you a riddle that I knew you could solve easily. The rest is now up to your sister’s charges. They must do what is to be done.”

Morganna was beginning to have some inkling of why Fiona got so frustrated at her mentor. “I won’t allow it. Not again.”

Merlin crossed his arms over his chest and waited patiently for her to continue.

“I couldn’t save him when I was human,” she barked, “but I can now. I will not lose him again. I just can’t.”

“This is not about you or what you can or can not do,” Merlin responded, patiently. “Do you truly believe that you are ready to face your brother alone? Do you not think it would be better to have a warrior, one destined for this role, to take him on?”

“We have a warrior,” Morganna argued. “Excalibur has awoken and chosen Jon to wield her. Surely that is enough.”

Merlin’s color rose with his own frustration. “If it were enough, do you not think that past generations would have succeeded? The bond these brothers by choice share is – ” he broke off, reining in his temper and continuing calmly. “Have you not watched them? Have you not seen the magic of their selfless devotion to each other? Do you not know that it is THAT magic, their bond, not the magic of Excalibur alone that is needed for this battle?”

Morganna stared at him, speechless. This was the first time in her memory that Merlin had spoken so plainly to her, and with such vehement emotion. “But why then, is another artifact needed? Why is Excalibur and their bond not enough?”

Merlin approached Morganna and put his hand on her shoulder. “Do you really wish for your charge to face your brother’s minions unprotected?” He searched his protégée’s face for a moment. “I thought not.”


“Fuck! Will you just admit that you don’t know something, Jon!” Richie’s frustration was plainly etched on his face. “Get on the damned computer and Google ‘city of gold’.”

“Oh come on,” Jon said, unbothered by Richie’s outburst. “You know I know this. It’s right on the tip of my tongue.” He was pacing back and forth, Excalibur gripped firmly in his hand. Every few steps, Jon would tap the flat of the blade against his other hand.

Richie stormed across the room, shooting daggers at his best friend. “Fine, I’ll do it myself.” He slid the mouse around to wake the screen and swore. “Fuck, Jon, what’s your password again?”

“I said, it’s right on the tip of my tongue,” Jon repeated. “Give me a minute.”

“Kryptonite,” Fiona said softly.

Richie looked over at the fey, having almost forgotten she was in the room. “What?”

Fiona shrugged and offered a little smile. “It’s ‘kryptonite’. All big letters.” Richie started typing.

“Do you watch every fucking thing I’ve ever done?” Jon asked.

“Well, it is my job,” Fiona answered. “And we have to get this riddle solved.”

“Got it!” Richie called. “God bless Wikipedia.”

Unwilling to give up, Jon just raised an eyebrow at his friend. “You know that shit can’t be trusted.”

“Yeah yeah,” Richie said. “Whatever. Listen to this: El Dorado (Spanish for "the golden one") is the name of a Muisca tribal chief who covered himself with gold dust and, as an initiation rite, dived into the lake Guatavita. Later it became the name of a legendary "Lost City of Gold" that has fascinated - and so far eluded - explorers since the days of the Spanish Conquistadors.”

He looked triumphantly at Jon. “City of Gold. El Dorado. Suck it.”

Jon flipped Richie off. “Bite my ass, you piece of fuck. You wouldn’t have gotten jack shit without my fairy helping you.”

“I am not your anything,” Fiona said menacingly. “And we are called – oh!”

“What?” Jon and Richie demanded at the same time.

“Espada de Dorado,” she whispered.

Jon and Richie looked at each other. “What?” they asked again. “I thought you were ‘fey’,” Jon added.

“The Sword of Dorado.” Morganna said, as she blinked into the room.

Fiona shook her head. “No. This cannot be. I forbid it.”

“Sister,” Morganna answered. “It must be. I have spoken with Merlin at length, and he has convinced me that it must be so.”

“No!” Fiona yelled, stepping up close to her sister’s face.

“He must have protection from our brother’s minions,” Morganna said.

Fiona stomped her foot in a fit of pique. “I have been his protection since he first drew breath. Tha’ shouldna change now!”

Richie approached the two women. “What are you talking about?”

Morganna turned to Richie. “The riddle states that you must retrieve the Sword of Dorado, no matter what it costs you. That could mean you give your life, and Fiona won’t allow it.”

“Fuck Fiona, I won’t allow that!” Jon bellowed.

Richie turned and raised an eyebrow. “Haven’t you already done that?”

“Rich, man, this is serious,” Jon said.

“I agree,” Morganna answered, ignoring the blush creeping over her sister’s face as she turned away, and what that coloring surely meant. “This is the most serious decision of your life.”

“’Tis no’ his choice, ‘tis mine!” Fiona shouted.

“What happened to free will,” Richie demanded.

“You’re not seriously considering this,” Jon said, steel creeping into his voice.

Richie raised his hands mimicking a scale. “End of the world as we know it,” he said, bouncing his left hand. “Pick up a sharp stick,” he said, shaking the right. Ummmm, lemme think. World goes to shit,” he raised his left hand again. “Or stick.” He raised his right hand. “This is a no-brainer. I’m getting the damned stick.”

Jon looked at Fiona. “Dammit, do something, Fee.” He became exasperated when Fiona simply stood there, staring at Richie. “For fuck’s sake, you pinned me against the wall with a blink of an eye. DO SOMETHING!”

“That was different,” Fiona answered. “I was mad at you. Him, I’m just proud of.”

“What the fuck does that mean?” Jon yelled.

“That means,” Fiona answered softly, as she approached Jon, “that he has not only accepted his destiny, he’s made me realize my duty.”

Jon said, “Your duty is to protect him.”

“Aye, and I shall. I will protect him with my life, as he fulfills his destiny, as I have done for you.”

“So, Mom, Dad,” Richie said, coming up to them and looping his arms around their shoulders. “Why aren’t we already gone?”

Morganna answered. “Because the place we need to go is currently occupied.”

Jon frowned. “Occupied? We’re going to someone’s house?”

“No,” Morganna said. “The place we need to go is not too far from a historical park, and the park is overrun with families. We cannot materialize in full view of these people. We must wait.”

“How long?” Richie asked.

“Not long,” Morganna answered. “A few hours at most.”

“Good,” Fiona said. “Then there is time to get the warrior more acquainted with the tool.”

Jon smirked and hefted Excalibur into the air. “I think I’m doing pretty good with this tool,” he said smugly.

Fiona smiled sweetly. “I was talking about Excalibur, not you.”

“What?”

“Excalibur is the warrior,” Fiona explained. “You are simply the tool.”

Richie burst into laughter. “I am right! I TOLD you that you were a tool!”

“Shut up,” Jon grumbled.

Fiona snapped her fingers, and a sword appeared in her hand. “C’mon,” she said to Jon. “Spar with me. I might even let you best me.”

Jon nodded. “There’s no MIGHT about it, fairy. Your ass is mine.”

Richie laughed. “Again, I say, ‘haven’t you done that already?’”

“You’re just jealous, fuckwad,” Jon threw over his shoulder as he followed Fiona from the room.

Morganna frowned. “Why is it you insist on, what is the phrase, pushing his buttons?”

“Because I can,” Richie said with a wide smile. “No, really, we’re brothers, it’s what we do. Don’t you and Fee get into it sometimes? Doesn’t she say things just to irritate you?”

“At times, I believe she does,” Morganna answered with a smile.

“I have a serious question,” Richie started. “What should I expect? I mean, what is it exactly that I have to do?”

Morganna thought a moment, wondering just how much to reveal to her charge. “There will be a cave, hidden by a copse of trees a short distance from The Ring. Within this cave is a tomb. From that tomb, you must retrieve something that will help you fight.”

“The Sword of Dorado,” Richie said. “Then what?”

Morganna shook her head. “Then you must not linger. That is the most important thing to remember. No matter what you may see, you must not linger. Not if you want to live.”

Richie saw the tenderness in Morganna’s eyes, and his expression softened. He reached out to stroke the side of Morganna’s face. “I do want to live,” he said. “Truly.”

She smiled at him. “Come, let’s go see how your brother is faring against my sister.”

Richie laughed. “If I know Jon, he’s pissed off that your sister is kicking his ass.”

Morganna smiled. “Perhaps, but as sure as my sister is in her abilities, they pale when compared to those of Excalibur.”

“You know, of course, if the sword helps Jon beat your sister, there will be NO living with him. You think his ego is big now? He is insufferable when he wins.”





As the voices moved deeper into the house, a shadow moved under the front windows. Alec had been on the verge of ringing the doorbell when he overheard the conversation between Richie and the woman. “Dorado,” he murmured. “This will get me my Lance in no time. The poor bastards won’t have a chance.”