EXCERPT
Tamara was pissed at Gavin for laughing at
her and re-igniting all her insecurities from her childhood.
She knew she'd overreacted, but memories of being an outcast
and having other kids laugh at her still ran deep. Damn,
why did all the good-looking guys have to be such jerks? Just
when she'd started to think there might, just maybe, be something
serious happening between them, he had to go and laugh at her.
She hated being laughed at.
Struggling to get her hurt pride under control,
a snapping sound on the footpath ahead startled Tamara.
Closer inspection revealed an overgrown path to the side of
the downtrodden tourist path, and Tamara took an uncertain step
on the strange path. She found herself nudging through lush
growth of flower and herbs. Her nostrils quivered in reaction
to the aroma of mint and thyme, while her vision was assaulted
with vivid colors of pink and maroon geraniums. Her eyes drank
in peach colored hibiscus, the flower of love. Wafting gently
in the breeze, the hibiscus were a perfect contrast to the crimson
red chrysanthemums, with their long petals reaching out in supplication.
Tamara pushed aside tree branches that brushed
her face and heard the sound again. Someone was just ahead.
It sounded like they were struggling through dense brush as
well. Tamara paused for a breath and took a more intent look
around. She was enthralled at the lushness of the growth, but
surprised at the unfamiliarity of some of the plants. There
were flowers and plants growing here that she had never seen
anywhere. God, it's beautiful, she thought.
"Yes, it is beautiful."
The voice, so close by, startled Tamara and
caused her pulse to beat a rapid staccato in her veins. Peering
into the underbrush, Tamara could see the shape of a woman.
"How did you know that's what I was thinking?"
"Just my intuition."
Mollified, Tamara turned to look about again.
"I've never seen flowers like these before." She reached
out to touch the velvety soft petal of a luscious peach colored
flower. "I don't remember reading anywhere that the Tor
had such a display of plants."
"The Tor does not. At least not now, but in ancient times
the beauty to behold was supreme."
"I'm sorry, I don't understand. The flowers are here now."
Tamara was having trouble placing the accent, so unlike any
she had ever heard.
Amidst the rustle of leaves and with a lightness
of movement, the woman stepped into the clearing. The ethereal
beauty of the strange woman bewitched Tamara. She looked strange
because of her unusual manner of dress. Tamara frowned at the
full-length dress worn by the woman. Simple and unadorned the
pale blue dress exuded richness in material and style.
Comprehension dawned on the woman's face,
and she remarked. "I am dressed different than you are
used to seeing?"
Tamara snorted, and then blushed in embarrassment.
"Yes, just slightly on the eccentric side. Your dress is
beautiful, though." Her gaze touched upon the flowers.
"But like the flowers, it doesn't fit."
"This place is not what you think. Few here have ever seen
this plane of existence, but you are special."
Uneasiness settled in Tamara's stomach. Was
this woman just crazy—or dangerous? Deep blue eyes pierced into
Tamara and cut her with their intensity. "You know who
I am—think."
Tamara squinted and fought against a growing
awareness. "I must be dreaming. Are you reading my mind?"
"Of course, I am. It's easy if you know how. Now stop foregoing
the inevitable. You know who I am, say my name."
"But…"
"Say my name." The mysterious woman insisted in a
breathless tone.
In a breath of a whisper, terrified lest
anyone hear how crazy she sounded, Tamara spoke. "Nimue."
"See, you do possess the intelligence I credited you with.
The question is—will it be enough to finally outwit my nemesis
and return the sword to where it belongs?"
"Okay, now I know I'm dreaming. I think I should leave."
Tamara turned to leave, but her feet wouldn't move. Her panicked
gaze flew to the woman—Nimue. "What's happening?"
"Nothing more than a stillness spell. Relatively basic
actually. Something the most average novice can master. I just
need you still for a moment while I warn you about the deception
of Merlin. He will be dangerous tonight, so you must be careful."
"Tonight. You mean at the ceremony?" Tamara was busy
trying to move her feet, but she was asking questions through
habit more than anything.
"Yes, the ceremony. You need to take the opportunity to
find the Sword Excalibur and return it to where it belongs."
Those words returned Tamara's full attention
to the woman before her. "The Sword Excalibur? Don't be
ridiculous. The sword has been missing for centuries."
"I know that. I was there the night it disappeared. Merlin
is the one responsible. Now he is also after the sword for his
own purposes. He intends to use the power of the sword and the
Ones Who Came Before to bring about the return of Avalon. Of
course, with the sword in his hand, he will rule in absolute
power. This we cannot allow to happen, because he has become
ruthless and greedy. He is dangerous, so you must be careful."
Tamara's eyes rounded in disbelief. "You
were there? Come on, don't you think this joke has gone far
enough?"
Was she trying to convince herself? Tamara
didn't get a chance to ask any more questions, because Nimue's
form was shimmering to a dim mist in the late morning sun. Tamara's
mind barely registered the haunted whisper spoken by the strange
woman.
"You must find the sword, only then will the past be put
right. Trust no one." Nimue's voice drifted into the shadows
of the surrounding gardens.