New Beginnings: Camelon Series, #4

By Kim Kacoroski

It is their moment in history. The next Camelon generation begins with the passing of King Dewi of Wales, who was slain by marauding Roman legions left in the area. His eighty-year-old granddaughter Creirwy, the Mother Superior of Pembrokeshire abbey, learns of his untimely demise as chaos descends on the world. The surviving descendants of Camelon regroup in secrecy with the help of the sea dragons reunite in an underground portal beneath the abbey.

Crierwy accepts the torch in New Beginnings, the Fourth Volume of the Camelon Series. She covertly follows King Gerwyn to Scotland to initially keep an eye on the two most rebellious sea dragons, Gilderoy and Paisley, who have decided to start their own revolution there. Cued by the thunder and a dream, Crierwy strikes out on her own path. After learning that the departing souls have been endangered, she enlists the aid of her cousin Tinka, High Queen of Ireland. They remove the lid of the Ark of the Covenant, and summon beneficial aid from an intergalactic dimension.

Her critical sojourn takes her across the continents of the western hemisphere and into the arms of several lovers. Lessons of life, death, and regeneration bring her full circle with the destiny of the human race. Together with Tinka, the cousins transform the promising dream of Camelon into a new kingdom on the Hill of Tara.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kim Kacoroski
• Release date: Jul 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9781947036253

Book preview

NEW BEGINNINGS

Chapter One

Tender times

Beckon new beginnings

From the depths of darkness

And despair

Tune Reference: A Time For Us

——Johnny Mathis

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THE NUN, DRESSED all in black, opened the door of the abbey for two young women who were standing in the shadows of the abbey. The enveloping darkness fell on their cloaked figures like a refreshing mist. As they hurried through the passageway, the moonlight dimly illuminated the doorway.

You’ll be safe here tonight, Mother Superior told them. The battle is over in Pembrokeshire. The place has been abandoned by the invaders, and the remaining villagers have started recovery efforts.

Thank you, Aunt Creirwy, Queen Gwenifyr whispered as she stepped inside the gloomy corridor. She lowered her hood and embraced the nun.

How is your grandfather? Creirwy asked.

Grandpa Gerwyn is on his way, she answered. My other brothers and sisters will come later.

The woman standing next to Gwenifyr removed her hood and hugged Creirwy. Thank you for protecting us.

I’m so glad that you’re safe. There’s no time to lose. The men are waiting for you in the sacristy, Creirwy said in a hushed voice. Then she added thoughtfully, It’s so wonderful to see you both. I visited your mother shortly after you were born, almost twenty years ago.

The sisters made their way through the dark corridor. There was a single candle burning in the small alcove on the side, and they recognized the corpse candle. They knew the man it represented.

I dreamed about Dad’s transition a few nights ago, Creirwy said, pausing in the candlelight to explain. We were forewarned by the corpse candle. It still burns. He’s lingering on the earth plane until we regroup. We carried his body to Pentre Ifan Dolmen. I think that my mother scared off further attacks. The Roman legions still think that she is an enchantress, you know.

The women nodded. The news of Dewi’s death had shocked them. A tear rolled down the cheek of the younger sister. Creirwy put her arm around her, and they entered the sacristy together. Two men rose from their chairs and warmly greeted them. After a brief, uncomfortable pause, Gwenifyr’s lover lowered his hood and kissed her passionately.

Gingalin, I am so relieved that you made it to Wales, Gwenifyr softly told the young man as they embraced.

Creirwy came for me on Elissa, Gingalin replied. I’m taking up Dragon flying soon.  My late father, King Gawain, was a Dragon flyer. He rescued your great-great grandfather from a Serpentine attack once. It was when Arcas and Maury attended school at Camelon.

Arcas was the father of King Arthur and Dewi’s grandfather. After he pulled out the sword in the stone, he assumed leadership of the Camelon Castle in Scotland, which existed long before enemies developed the Camelot myth. He had fought with Maury, the queen of England, and both died defending their joined kingdoms from Roman invaders.

Ivan is your dragon, Gwenifyr remarked, brushing a tear from her eye. I now have King Arthur’s dragon, Pink. We’ve a lot to learn.

Yes, but for the moment, we are safe in Wales, he assured her.

The other couple remained quiet as the lovers spoke. Listening intently, they turned to face Gwenifyr and Gingalin. It was time for them to assume their positions in the world. Creirwy’s father, King Dewi, had recently been ambushed in a battle near Pembrokeshire. Only a few knew that Creirwy was his daughter by the reputed enchantress of Lake Bala, otherwise known as Cerridwen. The reality was that Cerridwen continued to work in the village as a counselor for the sick and dying. Now she was busy rescuing survivors of the ambush and helping them escape to safety. Meanwhile, Creirwy operated as queen of Wales from behind the scenes as the managing mother superior of the Pembrokeshire Abbey. She knew that the Serpentine Britons would not check the abbey for refugees. They were too busy fighting. The serene atmosphere of the abbey never ceased to repel them in their obsessive state.

Let’s move to the underground portals, Creirwy suggested.

She opened a trap door underneath the closet floor. Creirwy lifted her dress hem and descended a flight of stairs, and then the others followed her into the darkness. After Gingalin firmly closed the flooring behind them, several bright neon figures appeared and flooded the room with light. The two couples shielded their eyes from the glare as Creirwy snuffed out the candle that she had been carrying to illuminate their path. The mother superior quickly scanned the room and inventoried its occupants.

Party time! Paisley, the fluorescent, psychedelic-paisley-patterned Sea Dragon with the yellow jewel in the middle of his forehead, announced. He stepped forward and offered Creirwy a cup of warm mead. She passed it along to her guests as the caretakers supplied Paisley with enough cups for all of them.

Creirwy grinned and shrugged at her guests. There’s nothing like a glow-in-the-dark Sea Dragon to break the mood.

Paisley and I are off on our own revolution, Gilderoy, the brilliant blue Sea Dragon, explained as he threw his arm around his chum. We start tomorrow.

Since when? Creirwy asked.

Nothing like a Sea Dragon to break the mood, Gwenifyr repeated to Gingalin in a whisper.

The other couple giggled softly as Gingalin smirked softly. Creirwy overheard her niece’s comment and silenced her with a parental glance. Gwenifyr responded with a little mischievous smile and shrug, similar to the one the nun had given during introductions. Creirwy shot Gwenifyr a wry grin and then altered her demeanor before facing the revolutionaries. Her tone became mockingly serious.

I’m beginning to feel that I am outnumbered, she remarked. Wait until Grandpa Gerwyn arrives.

Our Dragon flyers, Murphy and McGregor, are coming along for the ride, Gilderoy insisted.

Hmm, Creirwy muttered as she began searching for Elissa, the golden Sea Dragon queen, among the collection of people and dragons assembled in the room. She hoped to diffuse the situation by stalling for more time. Let me check with Elissa on this one.

Creirwy slowly walked towards the middle of the room and scanned its occupants. She spotted her dragon and distracted her with a hand wave. Elissa was conversing with Earl, the brilliant garnet Sea Dragon, in the far corner of the large room. She looked up when she heard Creirwy mention her name.

There’s no stopping those little buggers! Earl roared before Elissa had a chance to speak to Creirwy.

Elissa squinted at Earl as she left him for Creirwy. Lightly tossing her golden head at him, she waved her arm in the air to silence the outspoken garnet Sea Dragon. Earl ignored her. Instead, he followed the golden Sea Dragon queen to the middle of the room, where Elissa met Creirwy.

It’s not a revolution, my dear, the dignified Sea Dragon queen explained. It’s a mission.

It’s a new beginning, Earl rephrased, nudging Elissa’s dragon tail. That sounds better. Don’t want to upset the boss here.

Ohhh, Creirwy responded, her hands delicately placed on her hips. Since when?

Well... Elissa awkwardly begin. She casually eyed Gilderoy and Paisley as she continued. Since no one can stop them.

Let’s put their unstoppability to work, Earl insisted while twirling his mustache on one end.

Elissa shrugged. Sea Dragons are like cats. Never try to herd them.

Thanks, sis, Paisley interjected.

Since when? Creirwy repeated in a firmer voice.

Since Arthur and Joslin ascended and closed up shop at Utopia, Gilderoy stated emphatically.

A hush fell over the room. The couples put their drinks down. Creirwy held on to hers and sipped her mead slowly. She surveyed the expressions on everyone’s faces. The light in the room dimmed.

Hey, man! Fossy the florescent-lemon-yellow Sea Dragon beside Gwenifyr’s sister, shouted. You’re ruining the party.

Gilderoy puffed a little and placed his arms across his chest in defiance. Try to stop me.

Chapter Two

It’s not the time spent together

But the precious moments seized

Tune Reference: Precious And Few

——Climax

C’MON, GILDEROY, PAISLEY said, brightening his scales. Let’s move the party elsewhere.

McGregor and Murphy stepped forward from the crowd. Creirwy remained quiet and allowed them to speak first. Gilderoy uncrossed his arms.

We won’t leave until I say good-bye to Gerwyn, McGregor told Paisley and Gilderoy. I want to meet the rest of his eight children. He’s bringing them with him.

I want to play with his kids, Paisley admitted to Gilderoy. Young people love playing tag.

His children are grown and have their own children, Creirwy pointed out, who did not wish to delude a rebellious Sea Dragon. Some little ones are coming. We expect them tomorrow by nightfall.

No, we’re here now! a familiar voice announced.

Gerwyn appeared from behind a table with a large cloth draped over it. He had emerged from an opening in the floor, and several small children rushed inside the room behind him. They ran toward Creirwy and stood beside Paisley and Gilderoy. Paisley beamed as little chubby fingers politely touched his scales.

Thanks for bringing the entertainment, Pops! Gilderoy delightedly exclaimed. He rubbed his hands together and then lowered his head so that he was eye level with his little friends. How about a rousing game of tag?

In the next room! Creirwy shouted above the rising din. She waved them off and hurried over to embrace Gerwyn. Just in time. A revolution was about to break out!

Gerwyn watched the younger grandchildren leave the