Mist

pt2



Guinivere thought about this, she knew that he was right, greed and power

sometimes corrupted even the most loyal of servants and vassals, but still she

wished to know more.



"What part do I play in this, I am at best the scion of a minor noble,

granted our lineage can be traced back 400 years, but still I am curious as to

why I play such a part, that the Daoine Sithe would break tradition and show

themselves to one who is not an accolyte"



The Grey Mouser started to answer, but a sudden noise made him start, his eyes

scanned the thicket,



"Come My Lady, your danger is more immediate, they are closer than I

imagined, I should have taken you at once, not indulged in this chit chat you

must come with me now"



He held out his hand, Guinivere hesitated, from out of the mist a noise,a

terrible howl, that sent shivers down her spine, she had only heard such a noise

described in Minstrel tales before, but there it was, she shivered and held out

her hand, he grasped it firmly and asked her to close her eyes, he pulled her to

him and the world about her shimmered and dissolved.



There came into the thicket a stooped shape, almost manlike but

shambling and loose limbed, it sniffed the air, and then howled, her

scent was here, but there was another scent, it was the smell of

Sithe, his master would not be pleased he howled, his howl was answered by

another, soon the thicket was crowded with shambling figures, the tales of old

were true, and the Swyth were as foul as even the most imaginative Minstrel

could describe. By unspsoken assent the Swyth vanished into the forest leaving

only the first figure, silently he waited.



In a swirl of mist a man arrived, his cloak darkly ominous, He looked around the

thicket.



 "I see you have let the Lady Guinivere escape, you shall pay for this

later, but what's this, I sense... Sithe, so the Lady is in the hands of the

Sithe, no doubt that meddling Gray Mouser, he shall live to regret this, as

shall the Queen, too much is at stake here, I will not allow the Sithe to

destroy what I have worked and waited for these long years, and as for my Lady

Guinivere, find her and when you do, she is yours no doubt you will find some

use for her"



The Swyth drooled and moaned, man flesh was a rare reward for them,

and such a tasty morsel the Lady Guinivere was.



 "Oh yes Master, we shall find a use for her, indeed yes, she will be our

reward, thank you Master"



The man gathered his cloak and mist coat around him and stepped into it, the

remaining Swyth emerged out of the forest.



 "You heard Him, the Lady Guinivere is ours, let's not keep the Lady

waiting for her just reward"



He gathered the Swyth around him and a low moaning keen filled the

the thicket, suddenly the mist rolled in thick and white and encompassed the

group, when it was gone, so were the Swyth, slowly the mist rolled back, through

the forest, back up the foothills and settled around the dark craggy peak of

Cader Idris again, waiting until it was next called upon.



Guinivere rocked on her feet as though she had just landed on hard ground,



 "You may open your eyes Lady, we are safe, for the moment"



She opened her eyes, they were in a cave, that seemed to be lit from all sides,

though with what light source she couldnt see, the cave was small, but fresh

smelling, at one end there was a waterfall and tiny cascade of sparkling spring

water, all of a sudden she was very thirsty, she licked her lips and looked at

her companion.



 "Drink my Lady, if that is what you wish, the water is fresh and is known to

ease fears and calm the soul, perhaps we should both have a drink"



So saying he rummaged in his pack and withdrew an exquisitely carved

drinking bowl and handed it to her.



 "Please drink, I think after that fright you need it, refresh yourself a little

My Lady and then I will tell you why your life is in danger and why you will

have to marry Arthur"



Guinivere's mouth dropped open, marry Arthur, never!. Thats why she was in this

trouble in the first place, she opened her mouth to protest and her companion

covered it gently with his hand.



 "Listen first my Lady, please"