The Pendragons # 5
Written by Barry Reese

"The Rising Tide"

The Island of Lyonesse, Pendragon Castle

"Amazing. How long do you think he's been like this?" Kate McClellan knelt before a gleaming metal being, its interior circuitry and steel skeleton gleaming in the laboratory's lights. Despite the fact that she was here as Pendragon and not a journalist, her training was definitely in full bloom. She took in every little facet of the being before her, taking note of the areas where the salt water had pitted the metal. "He must have been floating out to sea for months."

Dane Whitman sipped his tea, standing behind her. His face gave ample evidence to the weariness he felt. His return from a trip to a dystopian future* had left him tired enough, but combined with the grisly discovery that his old ward Sean Dolan had been murdered**, he'd been pushed almost to the brink.

(*See Black Knight: Destiny Walk # 8-9. **In the Black Mass oneshot.)

"Longer than that, I think. I'm not very up to date on all the old Knights of Pendragon cases, but he'd disappeared before the Parliament of the Dark and Mordred ever even launched their assault on Avalon."

Kate nodded, standing up straight. This robotic figure had appeared on the shores of Lyonesse two days ago, its skeletal hand reaching up to grab the ankle of her son, Cam. The event had been an exciting one for the boy, who was taking great delight in having "rescued" a member of the olds Knights team. "Sir Gawain," Kate whispered, marveling at the thought of a sentient machine being empowered by the power of the Pendragon. "Do you think you can fix him?"

"Well, by myself... Probably not. I've stayed away from robotics since my old Atomic Steed was destroyed and Gawain's workings are a lot more advanced than anything I'm familiar with. I know that Tony Stark's boys built the basic framework*, but something's altered the internal circuitry beyond recognition."

(*Gawain was an android built by Stark Industries for the Arthurian theme park, Questworld.)

"Oh." Kate nodded, seeming disappointed. She'd come to see Dane Whitman as the ultimate hero, a man straight out of the old movie serials. Despite her normal cynicism, she'd almost believed him capable of anything.

"Then it is a good thing you are not alone, Dane Whitman." a voice said from the doorway to the Knight's lab.

Dane turned with a smile to see Wynter, the team's resident mage, moving towards them. His white hair hung loosely about his shoulders, seeming to blend in with the meticulously clean white robes he favored. "Glad to see you didn't forget our meeting."

"I rarely forget such things," the mystic murmured. As usual, he had an air of unaffected disinterest about him. He nodded in brief greeting to Kate, making her smile softly in return. Wynter was becoming a source of amusement for many in the group, who were beginning to view his eccentricities with affection. Kate's own son, in particular, was warming to the mage. "I have prepared the proper ritual."

"Ritual...?" Kate asked. "You're going to revive him with magic?"

"Sir Gawain is no mere machine," Wynter replied. "He has a spark of the eternal within him, a piece of the divine providence that is and was the Pendragon. The fact that he spoke to young Cam gives me reason to believe that the spirit is alive and well within the robot's framework. All it takes is someone to revive it fully."

"And once his personality is back intact, I can set about trying to repair his physical form. I'm gambling that he'll be able to help out with that himself," Dane added.

Kate moved out of the way, letting the sorceror do his work. She watched closely, though, studying the expression of deep concentration on Wynter's features. Despite herself, she was beginning to find the man attractive, which would have been absurb to her just a few weeks ago. But he's such an intense bloke and I've always like a man with a mind, she thought to herself.

Right on cue, Wynter cast his eyes towards her and, feeling like a silly schoolgirl, Kate felt a flush reach her cheeks.

If the sorceror noticed, he made no sign, instead returning his attention to the robot before him. He reached out placed a hand on each side of Gawain's skull, eldritch energy beginning to swirl around the tips of his fingers. "The spirit of Pendragon, undying. The light of Avalon, forever undimmed. The joy of life itself, housed within a cage of steel. Sir Gawain... You are needed."

Kate felt a shiver run down her a spine and she heard the fluttering of wings fill her ears. She turned to see that the windows which lined the laboratory were blanketed by owls, each of them staring in with intelligent eyes. More and more of the birds were coming forth, flying from the Cathedral of Owls located elsewhere on the island. They came, she realized, to bear witness.

A slightly green tint seemed to illuminate the room, reminding Kate of her first brush with the Pendragon energy.

The robot's eyes flashed with new life and its mouth parted, spilling forth a slow stream of words, sounding as if some internal motor was still winding down. "I... give...thee... thanks, Merlin."

Wynter pulled away, his eyes alight with restrained pleasure. "Welcome back to the world of the living, Sir Gawain"

Sir Gawain struggled to rise, mustering what dignity he could in his current state. He bowed low to Kate, his voice beginning to return some semblance of normality. A strange lack of emotion still clung to him, but that was perhaps due to his lack of flesh. "Lady Kate... A pleasure to be reunited with thy company."

Kate allowed him to brush his metallic "lips" over her hand, shivering at the coldness of his touch. "Thank you, Sir Gawain."

The robot glanced about himself, a sense of distraction coming over him. "The Lady of the Lake... I doth recall that she was threatened."

"She's safe now," the Black Knight replied. "She... sleeps... now. But Avalon is safe."

"And my fellow Knights... Are they well?"

Kate stepped forward, placing a hand on Gawain's shoulder. "That can wait for now. In the meantime, let the Black Knight begin repairing you. When you're well again, I promise to let Albion tell you all about it."

While Kate deftly avoided revealing the fate of most of the Knights of Pendragon, Dane stared out at the owls ringing the lab. He could feel the energy from them, stored up within their bodies from numerous trips to and from Avalon. Their arrival here seemed to signify that Gawain's return was an important event for Avalon and its defenders. We need the good news right about now. With all the storm clouds brewing around us -- from the recent elections to the whole thing with Nekros, we can use every bit of sunlight we can find.

Highgate Cemetery, London - Near Midnight

"I despise these places." Jacqueline Falsworth Crichton shivered unconsciously, wrapping her red-gloved hands about herself. As the lovely heroine Spitfire, she'd been an inspiration to the British people for over sixty years, though she gave no outward sign of her true age. Thanks to a blood transfusion by her old friend, the original Human Torch, she was now once again as beautiful and youthful as she had been in the second World War.

Her companion on this dark, overcast night was Joey Chapman, the latest man to wear the colors of the Union Jack. He held a pistol in one hand and a silver dagger in the other. A small stench followed him about, as he also wore a necklace of garlic around his neck. On this night, the Pendragons' resident monster killer was taking no chances. "Yeah, well, nobody likes 'em. Especially not the poor blighters who end up buried in 'em."

"Lovely. I do so love it when you remind me that we're here to find the living dead," Spitfire whispered. "Wait here. I'll scout around and see if anyone's about."

Before Union Jack could remind her they'd agreed to stay together, she was gone in a wisp of red and gold. Sometimes, she acts more headstrong than me... Guess being young again's affected more than just her physical appearance. She acts like a young girl these days. And a damn fine sight, she is.

Jackie reappeared as quickly as she'd departed. "They're over by the west gate. Three of them, two girls and a bloke."

Joey grunted. "Let me do the talking, alright?"

Spitfire nodded, willing to acknowledge Joey's expertise in the matter. All she cared about was finding her son, who had been led down a path of darkness and despair, culminating in his transformation into the new Baron Blood.

The two heroes moved through the graveyard slowly but surely, Jackie barely containing her impatience. Being blessed with superspeed made it sometimes difficult for her to slow her pace, but she knew that her speed would not help her in this case.

The three vampires they'd come to meet were lounging against the side of a tomb when they approached. The girls were dressed in ripped hose, short skirts and barely-there tops, while the male wore an open-necked shirt, slacks and a long jacket. All three looked to be in their twenties, though with the undead it was impossible to tell for sure.

The male was the obvious leader as he stepped forward to greet them. "Well, well. Meeting two celebrities such as you. Now, if Noel and Liam Gallagher pop out behind you, my night will be complete. The name's Magnus," he said, grinning so that his canine teeth glinted in the night. The girls chuckled behind him, eying the heroes.

Union Jack pointed his Webley pistol at the vampire. "Charmed. Now, you got the info or is our deal off?"

"No need for the gun," the vampire replied. "You sent out word you wanted to know where to find the Baron. I answered. Where's the harm in that?"

"Then start talking."

"We want the cash," one of the girls murmured.

Spitfire moved towards her, reaching into her cloak and removing a small bundle. "Here. It's in Euros, as we agreed." She tossed it to the ground before the girl, who snatched it up greedily.

"Now... Again. Start talking," warned Jack.

Magnus nodded after seeing that the girl had verified the money was in the bundle. "Blood's got a place in Birmingham. He moved out of London after you two started sniffing around for him.He's got himself a coven of about thirty vamps, mostly new ones that he's made himself."

"Got an address?"

Magnus grinned again wolfishly. "Sure do. 228 Becker. You can't miss it, believe me."

Union Jack narrowed his eyes. "If you're screwing with us or leading us into a trap, I'll find you. And you won't find it a pleasant experience."

The vampire's reply was drowned out by the sound of a motorcycle revving its engine and the sudden glare of a a single headlight, which blinded them all. The trio of undead hissed like cats, raising their arms to block their eyes. As one, they shrank back into the darkenss, while Jack pushed Spitfire behind the crypt.

"Who--?" Spitfire began.

"Trouble. There've been rumors of some flaming demon in the area. I think we just found 'em. Maybe those vamps set us up, after all."

Spitfire peered around, watching as the motorcyle-driving stranger roared closer. It was male in general shape, but cloaked in black leather. Its face was swathed in flames, which flickered around a fleshless skull. Heavy chains criss-crossed the thing's chest and its eyes seemed to glow with an unearthly light. It skidded its bike to a stop just before the tomb. "Show yourself," the thing commanded.

Union Jack sprang out first, rolling across the ground and firing his pistol. The bullets struck home, hitting the flaming visitor full in the chest. The impact knocked him off his bike, but he was back on his feet again in a heartbeat. Spitfire rushed forward, pelting the demonic creature with a dozen rapid blows.

The stranger staggered, but whipped out with one of the chains, which had seemed to unravel itself of its own accord. Against all odds, the blow managed to catch Spitfire about her legs, knocking them out from under her.

"Jackie!" Joey yelled. He rushed forward, dagger in hand, and jumped onto the beast. He drove the blade downward, slashing through the leather jacket the creature wore. It scraped against bone and the monster grunted in pain or annoyance, Joey couldn't tell which. The flames around the skull flashed brighter, wrapping Union Jack in Hellflame. The pain was horrible and Union Jack flopped away, writhing on the ground.

Spitfire slipped free of the chain binding her and zoomed over to Joey's side. She used her speed to blow away the flames which licked over his body and noticed with amazement that the fire had not burned his costume at all. Magic, she realized.

"This ends now," the thing stated."Highgate Cemetery is under my protection. If you desire to traffic with evil in the future, you will do it elsewhere."

"And who are you, to tell us such? Some demon escaped from hell?" Spitfire demanded.

"I am the Spirit of Vengeance. I am the Ghost Rider."

Joey managed to rise to his knees, groaning. "Ghost Rider... A little far from home, aren't you? I thought you only spooked folks in New York."

"London is my new home, now." The Spirit of Vengeance return to his bike, resting a hand on the seat. He seemed to pause for a moment and Spitfire was struck by a sense of melanchology that seemed to radiate from him. "Those beings to whom you were talking have spilled innocent blood. They must be punished. The two of you are free to go."

Union Jack leaned against Spitfire, shivering. The Hellfire had left him feeling drained. "How jolly nice of you." He pushed away, standing on his own two feet. "If you plan to stay in England, you're gonna be running into us a lot."

"The Pendragons. Yes, I have heard of you. Let me pass on these words warnings, then - a dark tide is rising on the British Isles. If it is not turned back, this land will be overrun with the denizens of hell." The Ghost Rider put his bike in reverse, pulling out to pursue the fleeing vampires. "Tell the others."

The two Pendragons watched as he rode off, both of them feeling a mix of relief and anger. Joey cursed under his breath, saying "Just what we need. An undead biker calling London his home. Like the streets aren't dangerous enough."

"Maybe he can be an ally," Spitfire pointed out. "Anyway, he's not our main concern at the moment. We know where my son is now."

Joey nodded. Jackie's son had been his best friend and he had a personal stake in finding him -- and curing him, if possible. "That we do. Want to go there tomorrow?" Joey pulled his mask up and off, taking a deep breath of clean air. It helped clear some of the fatigue he felt and he smiled lopsidedly at Jackie.

"It's a date, Mr. Chapman." Spitfire leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. Her lips lingered there for a moment too long and both of them became acutely aware of the other's body in such close proximity. With a bit of huskiness in her voice, she said "We better get back to Lyonesse."

Joey nodded quickly, moving away. He felt excited -- and guilty. He had something good with Romany, weird but good, and he didn't want to ruin it. But, damn, it was getting difficult....

Very difficult.

Lyonesse

"He called you Merlin." Cam's curious tone made Wynter look up from the ancient, leather-bound tome he'd been studying. The two of them were in Wynter's private library, a place filled with books, candles, strange, archaic devices and much more. The overall feel of the place was one of great age and wisdom, as well as a timeless quality that Cam particularly enjoyed.

"How did you know that?" Wynter asked, in such a way that Cam knew that the mage already suspected the answer.

"My mum overheard Gawain call you Merlin."

Wynter nodded curtly, looking back down to the book. He ran a finger over a line in it, as if reading it again for clarification.

"So... Is it true?"

"Is what true?"

Cam sighed in that dramatic way only possible to angst-ridden teens. "That you're Merlin. Or the reincarnation of Merlin. Or something."

Wynter eyed him with a calculating stare. At length, he replied "Or something seems to sum it up quite well, yes."

"So you're not Merlin?"

"How can I be Merlin when you know that I'm Wynter?"

"You're being difficult."

"And you're looking for an excuse to avoid doing your homework. Besides which, there are those who think that Albion is the reincarnation of Merlin. When Gawain joined the Knights of Pendragon, he referred to Albion as Merlin repeatedly."

"Mr. Hunter doesn't seem much like Merlin to me...."

Wynter looked his way. "He mentored the newly reborn Arthur, Adam Crown. And he does seem somewhat timeless in his qualities. But, yes, he is not much like Merlin." The mage held up one finger, halting Cam's next question. "And, no, I will not explain what I think Merlin was like. Go back to work."

Cam laughed, knowing that he'd lost the battle of wills. He once more tried to interest himself in his history text, but he kept picturing Wynter with a long white beard and a black skullcap, standing beside King Arthur... Every now and then, he'd glance up to watch the wizard at work, enjoying the feel of comfortable familiarity.

It was almost like all of this had happened before, this sharing of peace and learning, between the two of them.

Cam liked that.

The Eternal known as Sersi stepped into Dane Whitman's lab, dressed in a sheer nightgown and nothing else. Her hair hung loosely around her shoulders and the grin on her face spoke of many naughty thoughts racing through her head. She found her lover hovering over the prone body of Sir Gawain, the robot's power temporarily disable while Dane welded on a missing skull component.

She snuck up behind him, wrapping her hands about his waist and kissing the back of his neck. Dane jumped at the unexpected contact, but relaxed when he heard Sersi's soft, purring voice. "I expected you come and join me by now."

Dane smiled. She ran a hand over the stubble on his chin. She's always preferred him long-haired and scruffy, but he'd cleaned up his act after becoming the Lady's champion. Now, though, he'd gone all day in the lab and hadn't come near a razor in about 48 hours. "Sorry, babe. I lost track of time." He turned and kissed her, long and slow. When he parted, he cast one more look at Gawain. "I managed to get most of the synthetic flesh back in place and have repaired most of his injuries."

"And how much longer until you're completely finished?" she asked, licking his neck.

"Another few hours, I think...."

"Hours?" she said, with disappointment.

"Yeah, I could go faster but I'm actually enjoying working on--"

"Here, let me." Sersi pulled away, waving her hands through the air. Energy flooded out from her fingertips, enveloping the robotic knight. When the energy peeled back, Gawain was back in his green-tinted armor, looking none the worse for wear. "See? Now you're finished."

Dane frowned. "Sers... I like working in the lab."

The raven-haired beauty wrapped her arms around her lover's neck. "Don't you like this better?"

"That's not the point. Sometimes things shouldn't be done with a wave of the hand, just because they can be. This--"

"Hush." She kissed him again and, for a moment, his concerns were silenced.

The Hellfire Club Headquarters

The Ebony Knight sat in silence, staring at the Ebony Blade which rested across his lap. Every now and then, he turned his head to the side as if listening to some voice that no one else could hear.

Margali, the Red Queen, tried her best to ignore him. His increasing distance from humanity was beginning to unsettle even her."We have to strike now. If we wait for Doom to aid us, it will make us look weak and foolish. If we destroy the Pendragons without him, then we'll have improved our standing in Winthrop's eyes."

The Knight looked up, speaking with the voice of the dead. "What do you propose?"

"That we do the unexpected... and strike in the very heart of their power. Lyonesse!"

In Pendragons # 6: A trio of Pendragons travel to Birmingham, England in pursuit of Baron Blood while the rest of the team undergoes a dramatic lineup change. Plus: the Hellfire Club arrives on Lyonesse!

AUTHOR'S NOTES

Welcome. For some of you, this might your first trip into the Pendragons Universe. For others, it's been a long wait. I apologize for that and promise to be more regular in my updates. In fact, Pendragons # 6 is scheduled for a December release, with new issues coming every two months.

For those of you familiar with our sister titles, Black Knight: Destiny Walk and Ghost Rider U.K., our universe is headed towards a major event. As foretold in Black Mass, "From the Nether-Realms a dark lord returns, sealing away all glory and light. The blackest of hearts shall rule the land of Olde Kings and the most powerful of mages shall be struck down, his blood staining the floor of his Olde home. What shall come is most terrible and bleak, a world where the mystic arts flourish and mankind is assaulted by enemies of all types." What does all that mean? Well, it means that England's going to need the Pendragons more than ever!

Be on the lookout for some exciting news about future Pendragons-related projects.

It's good to be back -- and thanks to Mike Sacal and the Omniverse Fanfic Group, for giving us a spiffy new home.

You can reach me at aric_dacia@yahoo.com

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