Avalon, Season Three, Werewolf

By M. G. Kizzia

Brought to the beginning of history on a rescue mission, in order to get back to the twenty-first century, two elves, two marines, one Gott-Druk (a Neanderthal from the far future) and four men in black must follow the amulet of Avalon, which points from one time gate to the next. They move through time zones that center around the many lives of the Kairos, the Traveler in time, the Watcher over history—a person who never lives a quiet life.

The travelers ride mustangs sent back from the old west. They wear fairy weave clothing they can shape and change with a thought in order to blend in with the local culture. They have unlimited vitamins and elf crackers to see to their health. And they have unlimited bullets, which are needed all too often, as they deal with gods and monsters, spirits and creatures, space aliens and the great unknown.

They have to try hard not to disturb history in the process of moving through time; but that is not easy when they have to fight for their lives. All they want to do is get home in one piece, but they are not the only ones lost in time. Some have picked up their scent and are following them, but others are hunting them.

Avalon, Season Three includes 13 episodes from before 2500 BCE where the travelers from Avalon move through the days of myth and legend, and the first days of real history. Characters grow. Relationships are changed. One character utterly changes. One couple will marry. One character will die.

The journey from the past toward the present is long and difficult. The travelers face human trials in the form of thieves, pirates, slave traders, and cannibals. A series of wars continue in outer space, and the travelers have to deal with the fallout as various species crash land, or come to earth to hide. They fight off a big, bad Genie, ghouls by the double handful, and giants in the wilderness. And all the while, the werewolf remains on their trail, trying to catch up with the people who were once kind to a naked, mindless man.

Imps and goblins, ghosts and the undead, Amazons and mermaids all play their part in Amazon, Season Three—the unexpected around the bend in the river. Enjoy. –MGK

• Language: English
• Publisher: M. G. Kizzia
• Release date: Aug 22, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370337958

M. G. Kizzia

I live, work, and dream in the southeast United States, where I occasionally wipe the dust from my shoes.My stories stretch back to the beginning of history and forward to the horizon of the future. They stretch out to other dimensions, other universes, other earths. They stretch up to the heights of human potential, and down to the depths of human depravity. And I always tell stories.Give me a cave, a bonfire in the night, the distant howl of a wolf under a full moon, and a listening, attentive ear, and I will tell you a story.Other than storytelling, I continue to walk with my family and friends, day by day, and only now and then wonder how long this road may be. I can't wait to see what happens next.--MichaelM. G. Kizzia

Book preview

Avalon

Season Three

Werewolf

M. G. Kizzia

Copyright 2014, 2020

MGK Books

(version 1.6)

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Table of Contents

Introduction

3.0 The End of Love

After 3206 B.C. south of Mesopotamia

Kairos lifetime 33: (Amun) Junior

3.1 Freedom Road

After 3146 B.C. in the Alps

Kairos 34: Lucas

3.2 Bluebloods and Babies

After 3089 B.C. in Abydos, Egypt

Kairos 35: Weret

3.3 Fireworks

After 3029 B.C. around the Caspian Sea

Kairos 36: Iddin-Addad

3.4 Trader in Mischief

After 2972 B.C. in southeast Brazil

Kairos 37: Wir’a

3.5 Strange Bedfellows

After 2914 B.C. Persia, No-Man’s Land

Kairos 38: Tara of Sumer

3.6 In the Earth

After 2855 B.C. in Sumeria

Kairos 39: Etana, King of Kish

3.7 The Silk Road

After 2797 B.C. on the Silk Road

Kairos 40: Nuwa, Sage (with a little thyme)

3.8 Pirate Cove

After 2737 B.C. Rhodes in the Aegean

Kairos 41: Nalishayas, pirate beauty

3.9 The Valley Below

After 2677 B.C. Highlands Above the Indus

Kairos 42: Zisudra, The Rig (root)

3.10 Battle Above

After 2617 B.C. the Zargos Mountains

Kairos 43: Hadj of the Hjammad

3.11 Festival of Marriage

After 2563 B.C. Egypt

Kairos 44: Teti, the Lion in the Sky

3.12 The Moon Goes Down

After 2508 B.C. in Mesopotamia

Kairos 45: Barak in the wilderness

END

Postscript

Avalon Season 3 Introduction

Brought to the beginning of history on a rescue mission, two elves, two marines, one Gott-Druk (a Neanderthal from the far future) and four Men in Black must follow the amulet of Avalon in order to get home to the twenty-first century. They move from one time gate to the next, through time zones that center around the many lives of the Kairos, the Traveler in time, the Watcher over history—a person who never lives a quiet life.

The travelers ride mustangs brought back from the old west. They wear fairy weave clothing they can shape and change with a thought in order to blend in with the local culture. They have unlimited vitamins and elf crackers to see to their health, and unlimited bullets, which are needed far too often. In the days of myth and legend, before 2500 BCE, they have to deal with gods and monsters, spirits and creatures, space aliens and the great unknown, and they have to try hard not to disturb history in the process. All they want is to get home in one piece, but they are not the only ones lost in time.

From the Pilot Episode

It was Doctor Procter who explained.

I spent the last three hundred years studying the lives of the Kairos. Now that we have the opportunity to walk through those lifetimes, one by one, and in order I might add, I am not going to miss that opportunity. Isn’t that right, Mingus?

Mingus shook his head and sighed, and in that moment everyone got a good look at the difference between Mingus, a full blood elf and the Doctor who was half-human. The contrast was not startling but obvious. No plain human could have eyes as big, features as sharp or fingers as thin and long. If you say, Mingus muttered as he took the amulet and shook it once himself.

What says the Navy? Lockhart turned to look at the two who were armed and bringing up the rear.

I’m to follow orders, Captain Decker frowned.

Lieutenant Harper smiled. I would not mind exploring a little while we have the chance.

Besides, Roland spoke up while Lockhart faced front again and encouraged everyone to resume walking. I have a feeling the Kairos would not mind if we rooted out some of the unsavory characters that wandered into the time zones without permission.

Oh, that would be very dangerous. Alexis said it before Lincoln could, and she grinned for her husband.

All the same... Roland did not finish his sentence. He fell back to walk beside Lockhart to underline his sentiments to the man.

Hey. Boston came up. She had been straggling near the back.

Boston, dear. Lockhart backed away from the elf and slipped his arm around the young woman. So what do you think? Do we run as fast as we can or explore a bit and maybe confront some unsavories along the way?

Explore and help the Kairos clean out the time zones. I thought that was obvious.

Well for the record, Mingus said as he turned and walked backwards. Though it may kill me to say it, I agree with that Lincoln fellow.

I haven’t offered an opinion, Lincoln said.

No, but I can read the mind of a frightened rabbit well enough.

Father! Alexis jumped and there was some scolding in her voice. I vote we explore and help. She looked at Lockhart, and so did everyone else except the Doctor who was still playing with his amulet.

Lockhart nodded. Okay, he said. But the number one priority is to get everyone home alive and in one piece, so when it is time to move on, we all move, no arguments.

You got that right, Captain Decker mumbled.

Everyone seemed fine with that except Mingus who screwed up his face and asked, And who decides when it is time to move on?

I do. Lockhart spoke without flinching. The two stared at each other until Doctor Procter interrupted.

Anyway, he spoke as if in the middle of a sentence. I would not worry about hunting unsavories. I don’t imagine it will take long before they start hunting us.

CAST

Robert Lockhart, a former policeman, now assistant director of the Men in Black. He is charged with leading this expedition through time though he has no idea how he is going to get everyone home, alive.

Boston (Mary Riley), a Massachusetts redneck, rodeo rider and technological genius who finished her PhD at age 23. She loves all of the adventure, and all the spiritual creatures they encounter, which suggests she may be a bit strange. Since the disappearance of Doctor Procter, she carries the amulet, a sophisticated combination electronic GPS and magic device that shows the way from one time gate to the next.

Benjamin Lincoln, a former CIA office geek who keeps the database and a record of their journey. He tends to worry and is not the bravest soul, but sometimes that is an asset.

Alexis Lincoln, an elf who became human to marry Benjamin. She retained her healing magic when she became human, but magic has its limits. For example, it can’t make her father happy with her choices.

Roland, Alexis' younger brother is a full blood elf and gifted hunter. He came to keep his father Mingus under control and out of his sister's face. He discovers there is something in humanity worth saving and protecting. He knows many of the creatures in the spirit world that they face, including the nasty ones inclined to rise up out of the dark.

Mingus, father of Alexis and Roland, is an elder elf. He ran the history department in Avalon for over 300 years. He knows the time zones and the lives of the Kairos but tends to keep his opinions to himself. And he believes his children are being ruined by so much human interaction.

Elder Stow, a space traveling, technologically advanced Gott-Druk (Neanderthal) from the future who was thrown back into the past and is forced to make a truce with these ‘humans’ to join them. He believes it is his only chance to get back to the future in one piece.

Captain Katie Harper, a marine whose specialty is ancient and medieval cultures and technologies. She is torn between her duty to the marines and her desire to be part of this larger universe she is discovering.

Major Decker, a navy seal trained marine special operations officer who will do all he can to keep everyone alive, even if it means shooting his way back to the twenty-first century. He is a skeptic who does not believe half of what they experience—even if he does not know what else to believe.

The Kairos. But that is a different person in each time zone.

3.0 The End of Love

After 3206 B.C. south of Mesopotamia

Kairos lifetime 33: (Amun) Junior

Recording …

A woman wants to hear the word love now and then, you know. Katie gave Lockhart a hard stare and ignored her horse’s footsteps. They did not have anything to see except sand, sparse vegetation, and the blazing sun overhead.

Yeah, well, for a man that is not so easy. Lockhart wiped the sweat from his brow. I can tell you I admire and respect you. I think you are the nicest, kindest, most thoughtful and intelligent woman I have ever known. I can tell you that you are beautiful and I would not be lying. In fact, you are the only woman in the whole world—in the whole of history I have ever found who I felt I could be happy with. But I can’t say that other word because I am not feeling it right now, and that’s for sure.

Katie looked away for a minute before she answered. Everything you just said, ditto to you, but now that I think of it, I don’t feel that word either. She nudged her horse to move out on the flank with Captain Decker and Lockhart threw the sweat from his hand to the ground.

Lincoln leaned over to whisper in Alexis’ ear. Children, he said. Wait until they really start having an argument.

Alexis pulled her head away and wiped her ear like she was afraid he got something on it. You mean like—

Now don’t you start.

Start what? You have no idea what I was going to say.

Start anything. I don’t want to hear it.

Alexis gave Lincoln the same kind of Katie hard look. She spoke between her teeth. Fine.

Fine, Lincoln answered and ignored her look

Don’t touch me. Boston’s voice sounded loud enough for all to hear.

Who said I wanted to touch you, Princess Little Fire. The sarcasm in Roland’s words were unavoidable.

It’s just, I can’t get any peace. Boston turned her head and shouted at the group. There is no escaping you people. She spoke more softly. I can’t get any rest.

Roland said nothing more.

When Katie rode to the flank, Elder Stow hovered over to pace Lockhart. He had something to say, and he spit as he talked.

My Father. He turned up his nose. It is only right to give you fair warning.

Lockhart looked at the Neanderthal. He did not entirely trust the Gott-Druk, and thought he might never entirely trust him, but he listened.

I am not happy traveling in your company and I do not care what happens to you people, all of you homo sapiens who stole our homeland and drove us out into the darkness. It was difficult, but I was finding my way back home just fine without you. I am thinking I could take the amulet and find my way easily and leave you all here to rot.

Alexis whipped around from in front. The gods would break the amulet rather than let you have it, and they would break your equipment, too, so you would be left here to rot with us.

We have faced things where your equipment was no protection. You don’t have to love us. You don’t even have to like us, but there is safety in numbers. We watch out for each other and travel together.

Elder Stow nodded to common sense, even if he did not like it. The thing is, right now I do not care about my children whom you killed. I do not care about my own people. As you homo sapiens say, they can all rot in hell. With that thought on his mind, he floated back out to the perimeter.

Decker, Katie started to speak sharply but amended her word and softened her voice to offer more respect. Captain, is there any way you can look up ahead and see if we are getting anywhere?

Captain Decker looked at her to judge how upset she might be before he spoke. I loved my wife once, he said, like he was drawing on a thought from nowhere. Right now, I cannot imagine it, but it must be true or I would not have married her.

Where did that comment come from?

Captain Decker took a moment to adjust his seat in the saddle. He let his hand slip down to finger the stock on his rifle. It’s just that after a while we found that it really wasn’t love, it was lust. There was no love, and we both knew it even if she would never admit it. Still, I stayed with her for a number of years, even when she got hot and cranky, and believe me, she was an expert at getting hot and cranky, but some of those days were good.

Katie glanced at Lockhart. How did you manage that?

Do you love him?

I thought I did. I don’t hate him, but right now I don’t feel any love at all.

Me neither. But I haven’t felt love for years. Decker unsnapped the strap on his rifle. I stayed with my wife as long as I did because I made a promise. I did my duty. Decker pulled his rifle and startled Katie back to task with the words, We got company.

Katie rode back over beside Lockhart and pulled her own rifle even as Roland said, Visitors. The procession stopped where they were. They appear to be imps, Roland added.

Three dirty, gray skinned imps came over the scrub grass. They shuffled along on short legs, but had arms nearly long enough to drag their knuckles. The women knew at once, but it took the men a moment to realize the one out front was a female. They all had the same look about them with big mouths, a few sharp teeth showing, big saucer-like eyes, and nostril holes that did not quite support an actual nose. They were clearly not human. In another time and place they might have claimed to be from the planet Zorton and nobody would have questioned it. They stopped when they were a few feet away.

Elf. The female said.

My name is Roland, and these are my companions.

Fancy that, the female cut him off before he got into the introductions. An elf forced to drag a bunch of short livers around. Must be a curse of some kind. The female out front spoke to the younger males that hovered over her shoulders.

You have a name? Roland tried to keep things civil.

Magpie, and these are my boys, Snot and Puss. Magpie leaned forward, secretive, but she had no ability to whisper. I tried to ditch them back a-ways, but I cook and they eat, so. Magpie shrugged. So now we will be taking one of your horses and be on our way..

The horses are a gift of the Kairos. You dare not so much as touch one.

Magpie paused for a minute to consider her options. Kairos is that way. She pointed back the way she came. He wanted us to do a job for him, but I don’t care about him. I don’t love him no more than I do my own sons, and I don’t care about them, none at all. Besides, I’ve been dreaming about horse bacon.

Now hold it, Lockhart had dismounted and stepped forward. No one needs to get hurt.

Decker put a bullet between Magpie’s feet and her eyes got very big at the sound of thunder and puff of dust. I don’t understand. What is everyone’s problem? So you don’t love the Kairos. So you don’t love her. So you don’t love him. Decker did not specifically point to a person. I haven’t felt love in years. But I made a bunch of pledges when I joined the service, and I made promises to this group, and I intend to keep them all. Love doesn’t matter. It doesn’t keep me from being loyal and faithful. Hell, I’m a Marine. I take my orders and I do my duty to the best of my ability, period. He turned to face the imps. I understand you are pledged to the Kairos, so if he asked you something, you need to do it to fulfill your pledge, to do your duty. Maybe you don’t love him, but love’s got nothing to do with it.

Everyone quieted to think. The travelers understood very well what Decker was saying. The imps understood, but were not really persuaded by it. Loyalty, faithfulness and duty were not strong in the imp character, and keeping promises was laughable. Roland understood this of the imps, so he felt it important to add one thing.

Then again, if you cause harm to one of us or one of these horses, the Kairos will know, and he has the power to cast you into the land of eternal torment.

Magpie rubbed her chin as she admitted, There is that.

###

The travelers and the imps arrived together at the place of the Kairos. The sun got ready to set which gave the travelers hope that they might get a break from the oppressive heat. They found Junior sitting cross legged by the fire, staring at the sand and grass in front of him, or maybe meditating. He had something like a backpack behind him, but no sign of a tent. He also made no indication that he was aware of their presence.

Make camp, Lockhart suggested, and everyone turned to tend to the horses first. Magpie and her sons pulled up a seat behind Junior and acted like they were waiting for supper to be ready. Decker came up to Lockhart with a question.

Should we expect to use the fire that is made or make our own? Lockhart did not get to answer because Lincoln wandered to the other side of Junior’s fire, before it got dark, to get a look at the land they expected to cross in the morning, and Junior reacted.

No, no. Lincoln, you don’t want to stand there, he shouted.

The ground began to shake, but only under Lincoln’s feet. He ran and made it to safety before a perfectly round hole opened-up and revealed steps winding their way down into the pit.

What is it? Katie asked, having noticed the imps scooted further back from that place and always kept Junior between them and the hole. Junior answered without turning around.

That is the entrance to Irkalla, the underworld, the land of the dead, where Erishkegal rules and Namtar is her henchman who does all her dirty work.

Wow! Lincoln sounded surprised and impressed, but mostly like he realized what a close call he had.

Junior turned and scooted around without getting up. Are we all here? He counted heads as they approached. The imps backed up further to make way for the travelers. This was probably the worst possible time for you to come.

Why? Alexis asked. What are you doing here?

Alexis, Roland interjected. I’m surprised you have forgotten. Father told me the story and I had nightmares for years after.

Junior squinted at the elf, like maybe Roland did not need to say that much. All the same he opened-up. My mother’s father. Junior paused to think it through and started again. My grandfather had a mistress who had my mother. The mistress is gone now, I mean dead, not recently, and by cause unknown, or at least nothing proved. But that was why my mother grew up in Egypt, where she could be safe until she matured sufficiently to handle herself.

Your mother? Boston was the one who asked, but Junior waved off the question.

When my mother came back, my grandfather’s wife tricked her, actually challenged her to take a trip down into the land of the dead. Junior paused and shook his head. She and Erishkegal must have planned this whole thing ages ago.

But who is your mother? Boston wanted to know.

Ishtar.

Katie bit her tongue. She did not want to say, The goddess? again.

So, your mother is dead? Alexis asked.

No. That’s the thing. She knew enough to not eat the food of the dead, but she is a prisoner and can’t come back to the world. The gods have insisted that I figure out some way to set her free, and that is what I want to do, so I’m figuring.

Now Katie could ask her question. Why do the gods want her free so badly?

Because Ishtar is the goddess of love, love and war, but love is the operative part. As long as she is a prisoner in the underground, there is no love in the world, even among the gods.

The travelers took a moment to look at each other and Lockhart responded. We can all vouch for the lack of love since we came into this time zone.

But it isn’t so bad right now, Katie added with a look at Lockhart.

I am my mother’s son, Junior said. But it isn’t so strong in me, and the gods know they won’t have me around but maybe sixty years or so.

Decker suddenly grasped something. I bet the ghosts down there are having a real good time. He grinned.

Lincoln asked a different question. He felt suspicious. Who was your grandfather’s mistress—your real grandmother.

Innan, Junior said. And I don’t want to talk about it. I wasn’t here when she went over to the other side.

Lincoln nodded. They met Innan, and liked her, the one the Kairos called the goddess of desire. With Innan gone and her daughter trapped in the land of the dead there truly was no love in the world. Junior sighed in memory of his grandmother, and then changed the subject.

Decker and Harper, he called them forward, and they came, but with one short, curious glance at each other. Captain Decker. I have these for you. Junior held out two gold leafs. It was supposed to be Major Decker when you started this assignment, but Colonel Weber, the dipstick withheld the promotion. I’ve held on to these for about ten years. Glad to finally get rid of them.

Sir. Decker said as Junior removed the captain’s bars and pinned on the leafs.

Lieutenant Harper, Junior continued. Your promotion has been long overdue. He took her single bar and had Decker pin on her Captain’s bars. He let her keep the lieutenant’s insignia in her hand and stepped back to offer a salute. Belated congratulations to both of you. I understand Bobbi and my Alice self are leaning on the Pentagon to offer another upgrade, assuming you make it back to the twenty-first century in one piece.

Thank you, sir, Katie said and turned first of all to Lockhart who offered a sloppy salute of his own.

Captain Harper, Lockhart said and smiled, and Katie returned his smile and spoke sweet words with her eyes.

Excuse me. Junior whistled and yelled. Magpie, Snot and Puss. The three imps appeared, standing in the fire with their feet on the hot coals. They jumped for their life, but away from the hole in the earth. Junior explained. They were getting ready to go for a horse.

What? Several of the travelers reacted, and it felt strong enough to inspire Magpie to answer.

But we been all day and haven’t had nothing to eat. That was not a lie, but only the truth in the way little spirits tell the truth. They didn’t have nothing all day. They actually had an overly large breakfast before they snuck off.

Here, Junior said, and a donkey, one with a broken leg appeared. Magpie and the boys started to drool to look at it, and Magpie made a comment.

Donkey bacon is even better.

"Yes, but just remember, you go near the horses and you will get a lot worse than singed toes.

Yes Lord, yes, they all said, as they dragged the beast off to slaughter.

Sacrifice right over the pit of Hell, Lockhart quipped.

Katie shook her head and Junior offered a correction. "Hellas’ place is up where the Black Sea and the Aegean meet, but I get your point. Erishkegal thinks all sacrifices belong to her. But I don’t believe that is the way to get to her. I’m thinking about what Decker said. Sometimes even ghosts gotta party.

###

Boston and Roland spent most of the night worried about the horses. One or the other was usually about, checking to be sure. Lincoln hardly slept a wink, being as close as he was to the land of the dead, and Alexis never could get comfortable. Katie worried about Lockhart and wondered if something would ever come of the relationship or if they might just fizzle out. Lockhart spent much of the night watching Decker sleep. The former navy seal had mastered the art of sleeping when he could. Elder Stow had his own tent-like shelter that he put up and took down with a click of a button, but even his sleep seemed to be off. At least there did not seem to be as much snoring as usual.

As far as anyone could tell, Junior never slept. He just sat cross legged in front of the fire and hardly ever moved. The hole to the underground