Page 16 of The White Enchantress

With nothing more to do, my thoughts drift back to my current predicament. Morgana had used the word “priestess.” Everyone in this place is wearing a dark robe.Why was I given a white one? Is it because I am a guest? Do they mean to initiate me into this cult, or worse, am I a sacrifice? Don’t be silly, Guin. You are not going to be killed.

I somehow know I am safe here, but I can’t shake the feeling that something is terribly wrong. The mist was gone when I awoke beside the lake. Josh and Leo must be out there looking for me. They have to be close by. Before I can think more about where my friends are, I hear a light knock on the door.

“Come in,” I mutter.

Morgana walks in, followed by a most unusual woman. Though she is quite average in looks, something about her is striking. Her jet-black hair shimmers like a star glowing in the darkest of nights. And her brown eyes are filled with knowledge as if she is much older than she looks.

“Guinevere, this is the great priestess, Vivienne, Lady of the Lake, ruler of Avalon,” Morgana announces, standing aside to let the Lady take a deeper look at me.

I stare back into Vivenne’s eyes. “A pleasure to meet you, my lady,” I say, playing along. “I would like to ask a favor of you. As I’m sure Morgana told you, I’ve lost my way and want to be heading back home. It’s getting late. My friends must be worried sick that they haven’t found me yet.”

Before I continue rambling on about my need to leave, Vivienne places her hand on my cheek and looks deeper into my eyes. “I know you do not come from here, or rather, from this time. However, I do not believe you can return home. I truly am sorry, Guinevere. Excalibur called to you and brought you here for a reason.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” I lose composure, unsure what to make of Vivienne’s words. “All I did was fall in a lake after getting lost in the misty woods.”

“No, Guinevere. Wherever…whenever you think you are, is no longer when you are. I do not know exactly where or when you came from. What I do know is that the water surrounding the island of Avalon is protected by strong magic that hides us from the rest of the realm. This magic is strong enough to create a crack in time, with help from the powerful sword you brought out of the lake.”

“You have to be joking. This is most definitely a joke. How could you be telling the truth? I’ve traveled through time?”

“What year do you think it is now?”

“2019,” I say, keeping my calm as I say this aloud. But on the inside, I’m freaking the fuck out. The look on Vivienne’s face doesn’t make me feel any better. She is stunned by my proclamation.

“I knew you would come from the future, but so far, over 1500 years. Guinevere, in your time, have you learned the history of King Arthur and his kingdom?”

I remain speechless on the outside while screaming on the inside. This woman is either clinically insane, an excellent liar, or I am in Avalon…THE Avalon.

“Arthur is real? Then that means Lancelot and Guin….”No, this is absolutely insane.I am named after the legendary character Guinevere. This is all some trick or a dream. I fell asleep or, no, I never woke up this morning.

“I know this is frightening. I cannot imagine what you are feeling, Guinevere,” Morgana says, reeling me back to this crazy reality. “But the Lady of the Lake speaks the truth. I have seen many unexplainable things in my life. You are undoubtedly the most fantastic of them.”

“How is it that you both are so calm. You claim that I am from a time 1500 years from now. Does that not frightenyou?”

“It terrifies me,” Vivienne whispers. “You terrify me. My whole life, I have been able to see what will come. I knew you would arrive. Yet, I cannot see past that. I cannot see who you were, are, or will be. You mentioned my son, Lancelot. What do you know of him?”

“What do I know?” I mumble back. “I…I need to lie down. No, I need to wake up. This is all just one crazy, insane nightmare.”

I throw myself down on the small bed in the corner, willing myself to wake up. Josh. He was so close to me. I had heard his voice clear as day right before drowning at the bottom of a lake that didn’t exist. At least it doesn’t exist in the future. That just can’t be the truth. But when would I have fallen asleep? Nothing makes sense. I feel my body slipping into an anxiety attack. Closing my eyes tight, I breathe in deeply, letting it out slowly.

“Guinevere, this is not a nightmare. We are only trying to help.”

“Leave her be, Morgana.” Vivienne approaches me, laying a hand on my shoulder. “When you are ready to speak, we will listen. Take your time, Guinevere.”

I hear the door shut as the two strange women leave me to my thoughts. But before I can do any thinking, I fall asleep.

Chapter 7

Lancelot

As I arrive atAvalon, the priestesses have begun to prepare for their Midsummer feast. I have always loved this time of year when the quiet, little island of Avalon flows with life. What has brought me back here is not the solstice but a letter my mother wrote to me. A letter describing Excalibur and a woman she calls the White Enchantress.

I can feel the excitement pulsing through the air. The magic of the island has been ignited. It is more than the upcoming festivities. Whatever happened here was real. Morgana’s account - as described in my mother’s letter - of the events at the lake is unimaginable. I cannot remove the vision from my mind, yet I cannot believe it to be true. Growing up in Avalon, I have seen incredible things and witnessed true magic at the hands of my mother.

She has healed fatal wounds, bringing men and women back from their deathbeds. Conjured rain to water crops during droughts. She has even turned water into wine, a trick that theChristian god is believed to have performed. My mother is no goddess, but she is gifted with unexplainable powers.

Once my horse is settled at the stables, I make my way to the lake’s shore on the southern end of the island. The place where the miracle occurred. As I approach the water, I realize how dusty I am from the journey. The lake is a welcome sight. Hoping to wash away the long journey, I remove my tunic. But the sound of a shocked gasp quickly brings me out of my stupor.

I did not notice the other occupant at the lake. As I look upon her vivid red hair and dark green eyes, I forget myself. I feel as if I am in the presence of an angel as she is dressed in an all-white robe and appears to be glowing. And it is not the sun burning brightly in the sky, glistening off her dark copper locks that cause her to shine.

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