Winter Jones & King Arthurs Ghost - pt. 1

The Legend1

Britain 542 AD2

Eight knights knelt in a circle around a wooded pyre, each with thoughts concerning the future of the kingdom. On the pyre lay their king, clothed in his finest attire, his hands clasped over his chest. At the foot of the pyre stood a wizened old man, leaning on a long gnarled staff; his other hand grasped a beautifully forged sword with a blue stone in the pommel.3

At an unspoken command, all the knights rose and picked up the torches that lay next to them. A young page made the rounds lighting the knights’ torches. Once all the torches flickered in the moonlight the wizened old man spoke, “King Arthur was a great and honest man.. Camelot will never have a greater king. This is a sad day for everyone and it pains me that my friend’s time was cut short. In his honor I leave with him his trusted sword, Excalibur.” The old man approached the pyre and placed the handle of the sword under the King’s hands. Before returning to the circle the old man patted his friend’s hand and bystanders swore that they saw a tear in the old man’s eye.4

The torches were laid upon the pyre and it quickly took light. The mourners stayed for an hour as they watched the remains of their beloved king went up in flames. Several hours later, after everyone had left and the pyre was nothing more than a pile of smoldering ashes, the old man returned to the spot, and he was accompanied by the young page. The man paused for a moment but he soon knelt and began pawing through the ash. He soon found what he searched for, the sword. It was still in perfect condition, only a little dusty from being in the ash. The man wrapped the sword in a brown cloak and handed in to the boy; then they both disappeared into the deepening darkness.5

Train Ride6

Present Day7

Winter Jones stared out at the passing country side, the clackety clack of train soothing her troubled mind. She had received word that an old friend was on his deathbed and he had requested her presence. The day before she had flown into London and now she was headed to Gloucester to see him. Winter dug into her side bag and pulled out a book on Medieval England; it fell open in her lap but she only glanced at it as she went back to starring out the window.8

The door to her cabin opened and a conductor entered, “Dr. Jones?”9

Winter turned to look at the conductor, “yes?”10

“There is a gentleman here who is wondering if you might join him in the dining car.”11

Winter followed the conductor to the dining car, and he pointed out a well dressed middle aged man, sitting alone and sipping a cup of coffee. Winter took a seat across from the man, who looked up and smiled.12

“I am so glad that you could join me, Dr. Jones,” the man paused taking a sip of coffee. “Let me introduce myself; my name is Erick Castle. I own Castle industries, the largest antiquities dealer in Europe.”13

“I’ve heard of you.”14

Castle’s smile faltered but he continued on, “I must say that your talk on Celtic culture in Berlin last fall was the best of the series.”15

“Is there a reason you asked me here other than to compliment me on my lecture skills?”16

Castle’s smile faded completely and he became serious. From the seat next to him, he brought out an ancient book wrapped in a clean linen cloth. “My researchers found this at an archeological dig that I am funding. The writing is difficult to make out and my head translator could not make anything out except that the name Avalon is mentioned repeatedly.”17

Castle slid the book over to Winter. She took out a pair of white archival gloves and opened the leather cover of the book. Winter spent 20 minutes reading before closing the book. She recovered the text and slid it back over.18

“So what do you think?”19

“It tells of a ‘Telling Pool’ which supposedly is the entrance to Avalon.”20

“Does it give a location?” Castle asked his eyes bright.21

“I didn’t read enough. Now, if you don’t mind, my stop is coming up,” Winter rose and was halfway across the room when Castle caught up.22

“Hold on. One moment, please,” Castle jumped in front of Winter.23

She stopped and starred at Castle, her foot tapping impatiently. “How would you like to head the research team in charge of finding this Telling pool?” 24

“Maybe some other time, Mr. Castle. Right now I’m busy,” Winter moved to push past Castle, only to be blocked by him again. 25

“Look, I can see you don’t like me but I assure you that my company is not as bad as we are made out to be by the archeology community. Now if you happen to change your mind, here’s my card.” 26

Winter took the card and pocketed it. She then returned to her room without hindrance. A few minutes later the train stopped at the Gloucester station. There, waiting for her, was an old valet, who placed her bags into an old Rolls Royce.27