⚔️Hecate🛡

Bedevere, I know I am the youngest of us and therefore may not carry a font of wisdom as large as I might think, or even wish, but I am offering my counsel as a brother who loves and cares for you dearly."

B-4 gazed at Data with lowered eyes, feeling the weight of the stern discourse about to unfold.

"Is this regarding the Grail?" He ventured in a soft, almost timid tone.

Data nodded curtly, "Yes, because it is a perilous undertaking and one which you may regret in due course. More important however is that many who seek this do not return and I do not wish to lose another brother…"

"But I - "

Data raised a didactic finger. "Therefore I beseech you to give this matter great consideration before you embark upon it."

B-4 looked almost crestfallen, "I see," he replied in a humbled voice. His eyes fixed on a stained glass window in Data’s chamber. A gallant knight defeating a dragon serpent.

It appeared to fire both his inspiration and determination. But for now he remained silent and let Data continue, as he knew he hadn't finished his piece.

"There is something else I wish to discuss with you. Far from me to interfere, however there has been a rumour circulating among the courtiers that you wish to seek out Lore and hold discussion with him. I implore you against this undertaking , however honorable your intentions."

B-4 swallowed hard, trying to maintain control. He hated how his over sensitive emotions made him seem weak.

"I -I am sorry, I do not understand brother. Why would you reject an attempt at peace?"

"Because Lore is not easily swayed by words and he has the confidence of many people who we as a kingdom would never confer with or tolerate."

"Such as?" B4 inquired in an almost croak.

Data sighed as if masking irritation. "Surely I do not have to spell it out for you Bedevere. Warlords…rebels, those who use magical powers for nefarious means. They are a threat to our security, possibly even our very existence."

B4 cleared his throat and did his best to remain immutable.

" While there are undeniably obstacles, I feel there are benefits to be gained in trying. Family is most dear to me and there is nothing that would instill joy more than seeing our noble house reunited."

Data frowned, an expression of almost annoyance painting his features.

"I too, brother, but I think our bond is broken irrevocably. It is futile to try and mend it. He won't listen. Or he will attempt to trick you."

"I disagree. In my opinion these challenges give me all the more reason to try.

"Therefore I am going to reject your advice and embark on both my endeavours, however risky that might be."

"Bedevere you are making a grave mistake …"

"My lord Sir Dayton, I acknowledge your counsel but on this occasion i will not honour it. I am embarking on the quest for the Grail and I will seek out and attempt to reconcile us with Lore. That is all I will say on this matter and now if you will excuse me…"

And with that B-4 left with haste ordering a page to get his armour, weapons and horse prepared in readiness.

oOo

The quest was indeed a brutal test for any knight however chivilrous their intentions or brave their soul.

B-4 learned that Lancelot, Gawain and a few other renowned knights from the company of Arthur's table had set out equally confident but had failed. They were more accomplished than he yet it did not shake his ironclad resolve.

He pondered on what deed he might have to undertake to get sight of the Grail.

He told himself he was not a coward but he did prefer to use creative means to solve mysteries or settle disputes by peaceful means rather than engage in combat. He saw no logic in senseless bloodshed.

After seven days and nights travelling out of the kingdom and riding through wild terrain, taking refuge where he could, B-4 came upon a ramshackle village built upon a grey hill. The surrounding area was also dry and arid. Unusual for the temperate climate of the homelands. B-4 had never travelled to such places but imagined it to be as barren as the exotic kingdoms overseas.

He was bemused to see a tall woman ahead of him, standing by a thin dead tree as if she had been purposely waiting for him.

She had long dark hair embellished with elaborate ornament, and was garbed in richly embroidered robes of a curious celestial design. Something B-4 had never seen before.

They remained standing in the same place as if rooted there, without movement or expression until B-4 was almost directly in front of her. Then her countenance relaxed and her lips parted to show a beguiling smile.

The knight obligingly dismounted seeming it was the polite thing to do and approached the woman face to face.

"Greetings Fair knight," they welcomed in an almost blithe manner.

Greetings to you also dear lady. May I ask your name?"

"I am known as the Night Sorceress, and you are?"

"Sir Bedevere, I belong to the company of Sir Dayton at Cair Peverell."

"And I am guessing that you are on the quest for the Grail?"

"That is correct madam."

The sorceress smirked knowingly.

"If i may say so, you look very young and naive to be riding out on perilous quests. And furthermore with such a delicate, feminine appearance to your physique... "

B-4 gave them an indignant scowl, "I am not so young and I do possess courage. However I concede I am bestowed with feminine features. It is also true, according to Sir Dayton that my ways can occasionally be deemed immature."

"I can believe that. And you are not wed either. In fact I can wager that you are a still a virgin."

B-4 was taken aback by the veracity of the statement, and became suddenly reticent, a flush of colour rising in his cheeks.

"That is a private matter."

"But it is true," the sorceress smiled archly.

Feeling strangely awkward and exposed, B-4 abruptly changed the subject.

"How do I know that I am near the Grail? Will there be any sign?"

The sorceress laughed. "Of course not. You must search it by instinct. But I will warn you there will be obstacles. Ogres, giants perhaps or even aggressive knights.

"You with your tender nature might easily fall upon trouble and be gravely wounded or even killed. However I have something that might assist you in staying protected. I would not normally be so generous, but I already harbout a soft spot for you, sweet B-4."

"Why?"

"Because you seem such a kind and genuine soul…"

The sorceress reached into a clump of bushes and brought out a shield. It had no insignia save for a baton sinister.

"This is an enchanted shield and will protect you," the sorceress told him. "Take it."

With a look of astonishment B4 took the accoutrement in his hands and gazed at it in wonder, before strapping it across his shoulders.

"Do not thank me, it is my gift, because I do not wish for honorable knights to be slain in vain. And you are a good person and deserve at least a chance."

B4 still dumbstruck, could only nod his head before murmuring his gratitude anyway.

"Now be gone Fair knight, this place is cursed and you should not stay," the sorceress ordered bluntly.

It was then that a strange feeling came over Data. Normally he was immutably stoic and felt no discernible emotion, but now all of a sudden he found himself awash with an irrational, almost juvenile attraction to this woman.

A momentary flash of instinct told him Hellawes had lied about being a harmless green witch and somehow had cast a spell over him. However this warning quickly dissipated along with his natural vigilance, slipping away like sand as he lost control of rationality.

Hellawes had indeed seduced him, putting him under a powerful trance that he was helpless to escape from. Gratifying flattery washed over him as she plied him with her honeyed words.

"I have always been impressed by your gallant and chivilrous deeds Sir Dayton."

"Please, call my Data. There is no need for formalities," he uttered in an uncanny, impish tone.

"Data… ah- ha. I do like the ring of that. You are so self assured and handsome. And you have a famous sword?"

"How do you know this?"

A flicker of suspicion cut through Data’s befuddled consciousness before being snuffed out.

"Your fame spreads throughout the whole land, good knight," Hellawes replied, "And Excelsior is famed for its reputed magical properties. You are so privileged to be the bearer of such a gift."

With those last words Hellawes glanced down at the sword at Data’s side, "Please I must see it," she almost pleaded, "Use it to cut me free of these bonds."

"Fair lady Hellawes. I would be most honoured to do so," and with an awkward, almost lazy looking smile, Data unsheathed the blade.

He effortlessly cut through the tough binds which fell to the ground and Hellowes stepped free.

"Thank you kind sir, I am now in your debt."

Hellawes eyes examined the blade in Data’s hand, her face infused with what seemed like wonder, and she uttered a low gasp of awe.

"It is so beautiful. What else can it do?"

Data gave another tiny smile, instinctively attempting to convey pride. He was totally absorbed by the attention he was receiving. In sobriety he was seldom if ever touched by flattery, but in this moment he revelled in it.

An irresistible warm glow enveloped his entire being.

'It has been such a long time…' he mused inwardly, his thoughts suddenly wistful.

Obligingly, he put on an impressive demonstration of his skills, brandished the blade, using nimble footwork and deft strokes to show off his enviably elegant swordsmanship.

Fully aware of the admiring glances he was earning from Hellawes, he sliced through a crop of thick, thorny creepers, reducing them to chips, without effort or exertion.

Visibly impressed, Hellawes smiled at him

"Dear Sir Data, would you be so kind as to escort me back to my home? I fear being caught again so I need a guardian angel…"

"Of course I shall be delighted," Data replied, effecting another of his strange little smiles. Sheathing Excelsior, he took Hellawes' arm and they walked together through the bleak woods until they reached a secluded rustic dwelling on the edge of what was called the Fallowlands.

Again a tiny warning emitted from the depths of his foggy mind, telling him to leave, but it was soon obliterated by the intensity of Hellawes magic as she led him inside the cottage.

"Welcome to my humble abode," she announced. "Please, take repose and let your mind be without troubles."

It sounded so good to Data's ears. Accordingly he sat down on a bed sumptuouly laid out with furs, and his mind was only focused on how captivatingly beautiful Hellawes was, even though when he had first set eyes on her he had felt indifference towards her appearance.

"Here my dear lord knight, drink with me."

Data raised one eyebrow quizzically as Hellowes offered him a rams horn vessel. The liquid within was warm and smelled pungent, not a sensation he was accustomed to, so his instinct was to vascillate. It was instilled deep within his psyche that imbibing victuals in strange surroundings was something to be discouraged in case it was poison.

"I know you are wary but I can assure you it is safe," Hellawes imparted with a smile. "I simply wish to foster a deeper connection with you over the taking of wine."

She then placed a hand on Data’s shoulder, another act of familiarity which sparked innate discomfort, yet he did not object.

Hellawes took her own vessel, which further alleviated his doubts, and as they wished each other mutual good health and fortune, he took a long draft.

At first, he simply felt the preexisting sense of warmth spread and intensify. Then he felt a sudden onset of heaviness and lethargy. He leaned back on the bed of furs and almost immediately sunk into a deep sleep.

The last thing he remembered was Hellawes pressing her lips to his and whispering to him that he was more of a fool than she had first thought.

oOo

When Data awoke, he was alone and no longer on the bed of furs. He was lying on a pile of bracken in the forest, dishevelled and woolly headed.

As he came to, realisation dawned. He had been drugged and duped.

In desperate panic he looked down at his person and groaned aloud.

A surge of desperate anguish and shame coursed through him as he saw that the precious scabbard, the one that protected him, was gone. Excelsior was tied to his middle by a common cord.

He cursed himself roundly and bitterly for his lapse of reason and subsequent foolishness.

Unbeknown to Data however, the treacherous Hellawes has taken the precious scabbard to Lore, who at this moment was hiding in a secret cave by the sea. Now guaranteed to be protected from injury or death, he could summon all the forces of darkness to wage war and inflict destruction on the brother who had dared to spurn him.

He praised Hellawes fulsomly for her assistance in furthering his ambitions, "You did splendidly my little shrike. Now I need to put the next stage of my master plan into motion."

"And what is it that you have in mind my dark lord?"

Hellawes sidled up to her accomplice and stroked his chain mail covered head. Lore in return gave her a wide vulpine grin.

"First I need a transformation - I desire to look both impressive and formidable when i meet my brother on the battlefield. I cannot do that garbed in this shabby ensemble."

He looked down in distaste at his tarnished armour and old faded red surcoat.

"We will change it, working together," Hellawes simpered.

"No - this is something I must do myself," Lore replied sharply.

Her face fell.

"Apologies for offending you my little sparrow hawk, but when I need help it will demand more than a mere hedge witch."

Hellawes' triumph rapidly evaporated to humiliation.

"You mean…Morgana le Fay?"

Lore didn't need to answer. His devious smirk said it all.

"As you know, your mother was Natasha, Lady Pendragon. She was brave and beautiful as well as possessing a highly intelligent spirit."

"Yes." Lal whispered, "I was aware of this. But I also sense that she did something very extraordinary in her life…?"

"She did. Lady Pendragon refused to follow tradition and be a dutiful wife in the background. Instead she wanted to be independent - a front line player in politics and the battlefield."

Lal's eyes widened in open astonishment.

"Naturally this was frowned upon by noble society, as the ruling figures were always men. However she wanted to challenge that."

"And did she succeed?"

"Almost, but she never got the chance as…"

Lal quickly cut across her father's words, "How did you meet?" She asked abruptly.

"When she was fighting for the lands and deeds of Dolorous Gard, which were under the rule of a punitive and cruel lord.

"I had been summoned to assist in this campaign as she was a solitary soul without any family. All had been murdered by this lawless savage chief in a vicious ambush."

"Ah, I understand." Though in truth as peace had endured since her birth, Lal's concept of a lawless world was rather vague. Nevertheless she was rapt and urged Data to continue.

"After Dolorous Gard was secured, we became acquainted and eventually embarked on a relationship of sorts. I asked for her hand but she refused."

"Oh?" Lal's expression was one of confusion.

"My father was not happy with the casual nature of our bond anyway - not just because of my lady's wayward perspective. He is a seer, and he warned me that if I stayed with your mother it would result in heartbreak, but I paid no heed.

"Then she told me she was with child - you. But still she refused to relent and accept our betrothal. She was fiercely independent - insisting we could cohabit without the shackles of marriage."

"She was very progressive," Lal observed.

"That she was. However her views incited disapproval and outrage from courtiers. To be a high born female with child out of wedlock is not looked upon favourably. So our liaison was conducted in secret.

"When my lady was ready to give birth we sequestered, mainly to provide her with the peace and tranquility she needed. Only my brother Bedevere, B-4, and my father Noonien were permitted to join us."

"So who helped her to birth if there was no midwife?"

"My brother as you know is imbued with very precise feminine skills."

"Yes. B-4 does possess a uniquely female countenance, despite acting like a gentleman on the surface."

"So consequently my lady conceived without any issue or trauma."

Lal nodded, deep in contemplation, "I feel very proud of having such a strong and determined mother. I am not ashamed at all."

"Her death, not long after was a terrible shock although I sensed it would occur because my father is always correct in his foretellings."

"How did it happen?"

"Your mother, being so headstrong, wanted to return to her duties as soon as possible. It happened that a grotesque black beast - a malevolent serpent - had ventured onto her lands, taking up residence in a cave with a tar pit.

"You're mother wanted to drive it away but I deterred her. Then it abducted a young woman from a village and she was determined to conquer it and rescue the hostage.

"She and several of her strongest soldiers accompanied her to the cave. One of them drowned in the serpent's tar pit and enraged she challenged the beast outright…"

Data faltered briefly, taking a slow measured deep breath, before continuing.

"She fought long and hard, and eventually did manage to free the girl, but the beast was enraged and grew stronger. Finally when it saw your mother was tired it rained tarry fire upon her and she could not survive…"

Data trailed off and the air was thick with silence, apart from the solitary coarse cry of a corvid echoing in the distance.

Lal looked at him with glistening eyes, full of love and understanding. "Say no more Father. I know now why you were reluctant to let me hear this…"

"It was a senseless death," he uttered starkly.

"But nevertheless she was courageous and just and selfless. Thank you for telling me, I am immensly proud to be the daughter of Lady Pendragon…and thank you Father, for my life."

They sat ruminating for several minutes until Lal spoke again.

"And my uncle, Lore. Who is he? And what crime has he committed that would merit his banishment for so many years? You never mentioned him before…"

Data sustained his obdurate stoic solemn aura but was nevertheless starkly candid with his daughter.

"My brother was gifted but was arrogant and made some very bad decisions. He committed deeds that were unforgivable."

"You mean he killed people?" Lal asked baldly.

"Yes."

"What does he want from you now?"

"A pardon. But he does not merit it."

Lal pursed her lips. "Is there any way of working this out amicably? What if he seeks revenge?"

Data sighed, a trace of irritation in his voice. "My dear, I shall not - cannot - yield. But I am prepared and I will do everything in my power to protect all that I value and hold dear."

Lal nodded blandly but she could not smile or agree verbally.

"We shall see then," she stated, and her tone was perfunctory.

She then asked Data if he was willing to be the custodian of Excelsior.

"Am i worthy?"

"Indeed you are," voiced Noonien confidently.

While still bemused by the offer, Data accepted.

Nimue then instructed Noonien and Data to climb into a small barge moored at the bank among the mess of wild reeds and rushes, before she turned away and disappeared into the murky depths.

As soon as the two men were aboard, the barge magically glided across the lake until reaching the centre it came to a halt, as if anchored invisibly to the calm waters. Data noticed the thin white mist rolling across the surface of the lake, bathing himself and Noonien in a milky shroud.

In this ethereal stillness the surface water rippled and then broke as a hand rose slowly from it, holding aloft a magnificent sword with a jewelled scabbard. Data’s eyes widened at the spectacle, it was as if the weapon visibly glowed, surrounded by a halo of shimmering light.

Data gently took the weapon, holding it by the hilt and gazing at it in wonder. Speechless.

Nimue rose from the lake, seeming to hover on the surface. She asked Data which he preferred - the sword or the scabbard.

Data without hesitation replied

"The sword, no question. "

Nimue gave an indulgent nod but then told him, " The sword is remarkable but the scabbard is more precious still."

"How?"

"Because so long as you wear it by your side in battle it will protect you no matter how wounded you are."

"I do not understand." Data murmured, his brow furrowed.

"You will."

Noonien gave him a knowing look, and then it became clear.

Lore.

Nimue, her task complete, bowed solemnly and bid the pair farewell before sinking gracefully below the surface of the lake. Leaving Data to gaze in mesmerised perplexity in turn at the lake and the sword Excelsior in his hand.

"I do not know what to do Father. I normally do not feel emotions but I find this extremely overwhelming."

Noonien offered him a reassuring smile, "Just heed Nimue's counsel and everything will be fine my son."

Still weighed down by the brevity of what had just happened, Data gave a silent acknowledgement and walked with Noonien to where their mounts still waited patiently.

"Come let us return to Cair Peverell. I can guarantee when you get back to your family and comrades you will feel much better."

"I trust your reassurance."