The Prophecy: Part 1

The bleeding finally staunched, you stand up carefully, fully expecting to meet the ground in moments. You are not disappointed. Again you pick yourself up. This time after a few unsteady steps you manage to stay upright. You squint in the bright sunlight and take in the view. All around you there are green rolling hills and cliffs, there are few clouds in the sky and it is unseasonably warm. As you look closer you see some squat trees here and there, extending into a vast forest. A glint of sunshine catches your eye. You look closer and from out of the dense forest a black armor clad knight charges. ‘Awesome!’ you think. Then you realize that he is charging towards you! And he's getting closer! Frantically you grab the nearest weapon. You look down and see that you are holding the charred remains of your computer. ‘Well, you think, I always said words are mightier than the sword.’

As the black knight comes closer, you steady your footing. He extends his lance and points it towards you. Without thinking, as his lance nears your head, you heave the burnt monitor at him. The horse is surprised, and neighs, standing on its hind legs. The monitor crashes into the knight, square on his chest, and he falls backwards, off the horse. He is not moving. Frightened, the horse gallops away into the forest. You step closer to the fallen man, and he suddenly heaves to his feet and draws a sword. He marches towards you, the tip of the blade shining in the sun.

"Wait!" You exclaim. "It was a mistake! I am new to this land, and you came towards me..." you search desperately for more to say, something to stop him!!!

But he speaks before you have the chance to continue. "You are a wicked one. How dare you trespass King Arthur's land, and how dare you challenge his loyal servants?" He says the last words in a growl.

He raises the sword. Suddenly, you are engulfed in black smoke and as it clears, you find yourself in a dark room.

"Not again!" you say outloud.

"Again for what?" A voice behind you asks.

Startled, you turn around and stand face to face with an old, haggard woman.

"I have been watching you, child. You can't lie to me. Now who are you? Where have you come from?"

You stammer, "My name is Rhea. I don't know how I got here... I was writing at home and… "

"Writing?" She interrupts, and…

"Not marble, nor the gilded monuments

Of princes, shall outlive this powerful rime;

But you shall shine more bright in these contents

Than unswept stone besmear'd with sluttish time.

When wasteful war shall statues overturn,

And broils root out the work of masonry,

Nor Mars his sword nor war's quick fire shall burn

The living record of your memory."

She laughs. "Bold words for such a woman. Then perhaps you are who you say you are. Then that means my spell worked!"

"Spell?" you ask.

She laughs again. You gaze at her questioningly.

"Oh, don’t worry about it, she says, just the ramblings of a old woman."

Strangely enough you begin to feel comfortable around her despite the suspicious nature of your arrival. You start to say something, you’re not sure what but reasonably infer that it will be something important.

"Gahhhh…."

The old woman looks at you pityingly and offers you a stool and a cup of tea. You numbly accept, appalled by your lack of conversation.

"Don’t worry, she says, this has bound to be something of a shock to you."