Merlin's American Encounter

By Malcolm John Baker

In this book, Merlin continues his travels through time, with the ghost of the Lady of the Lake, Viviane from King Arthur's time. Again, she takes on an active role in the adventures that follow. In this book Merlin centers on the American Continent, although he visits London, England at the time of the plague. Love comes to him in very strange

• Language: English
• Publisher: Malcolm John Baker Publishing House
• Release date: Nov 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9781951933999

Malcolm John Baker

Malcolm John Baker was born in Salisbury, England, in 1945. By trade, he was a chartered surveyor and practised in South London, England. Now retired, he lives in the United States in Florida.

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Merlin’s American Encounter

By Malcolm John Baker

Merlin’s American Encounter

Copyright © 2020 by Malcolm John Baker

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Malcolm John Baker’s Publishing House

www.malcolmjohnbaker.us

ISBN

978-1-954168-01-5 (Hardcover)

978-1-954168-00-8 (Paperback)

978-1-951933-99-9 (eBook)

Table of Contents

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

HISTORICAL DETAILS

BOOK REFERENCES

Other books by Malcolm John Baker

Revenge Is Mine

From a Jack to a king

Daylight Robbery

Annabelle

Which is the Clone

The Black Duke

Merlin Series.

Merlin’s Secret

Merlin’s Shakespeare Encounter

Merlin’s French Encounter

Malcolm’s websites are

www. malcolmjohnbaker.com

www. malcolmjohnbaker.us

email [e-mail]

DISCLAIMER

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

CHAPTER ONE

The year is 1586, in the newly created Colony of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a man is lying on his back between two large rocks, on the red sandy ground, dried hard by the sun beating down. His body is racked with pain, having been thrown off his horse and knocked into a semi-delirious state. A twine that was strung across his path and his horse went right through it and reared.

Falling into a delirious state, the man can just make out a native on top of him, holding a knife glinting in the sunlight in his hand. The native is about to sever his scalp. That is all he sees as he passes out; he has no control anymore. Through his delirium, he thinks he hears a loud bang, and the man sitting on top of him drops onto his chest. Blood is pouring out of a wound in his naked back, but he can’t see that.

*      *      *

It is now 1946 in London, England; the second world war has been over for a year. Merlin’s adventures have stopped; he had thought he would become a couple with a young lady named Carol, whom he met her on the eighth of May last year, during the ‘Victory in Europe’ celebrations, in Central London. A year ago, the whole country went wild after six years of bloody war, but that was not to be. Carol already had a boyfriend who was still away with the forces in Germany, but on his return, she went back to him.

Merlin has tried out several jobs to settle down, but they were dreary factory jobs, that was all that was wanted after the war when England was on its knees and had to recover. He has no modern-day skills needed after the war. All he knew about was a lifetime of hand to hand fighting.

Nothing pleased him; he missed the adventures that had been his all his life as a traveler in time, since the age of twenty. Now is in his forties, at least he thinks he is. Friar Tuck had given him an abacus to keep a record of this personal age in the twelve hundreds, but it had been mislaid over the years. He had good experiences over all those years; he told himself that every night when he sat watching the television, but he is bored, even the television is only broadcasting for a few hours a day.

Viviane the ghost, his benefactor had seen that he had sufficient money to live on, and every month a cheque mysteriously arrived at his door. He had rented a flat in central London, but the rent was high.

Doing nothing in the evenings gave him time to consider the people he had met, King Arthur, he still remembers him with great affection. Arthur made him his brother and knighted him for the first time. Sadly, he missed his first wife and child from that time; migrants killed them in Camelot. He had always bitterly wanted a wife and family; his parents died in a car crash when he was ten.

That was when Viviane had first come on the scene, his birth name then was Robert Hunt. Robert had gotten into bad company and was involved in a bank robbery that went wrong. Viviane saw things in Robert that he did not know were there. As the police arrived, she transported Robert back to Camelot and King Arthur. Eventually, Robert proved himself in Camelot, and the King renamed him, Merlin.

Merlin became a time traveler, Robin Hood was another adventure, but going back to Camelot at that time was painful. He passed through Camelot on several occasions in the middle ages and vowed never to go back again; it was too thoughtful.

The episodes with King Henry V, Agincourt, and the Spanish Armada and later on the French Revolution, gave him hours of thought. He loved the meetings with such famous people like William Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth I, Winston Churchill, and the present Princess Elizabeth were terrific. How could he improve on that? He told himself, ‘I must not be so depressed.’

He was just about to doze off in his comfortable armchair, having done a hard day’s work rebuilding the bombed-out roads when Viviane appeared in front of him. At first, he thought he was dreaming; he had missed her company so much, she was like a friend come wife to him. No, she is standing here, her long blond hair is blowing in the wind, but it wasn’t windy. She had her same white lace dress on that she always wore, not that she got dressed, she had been dead for over a thousand years.

Wake up, lazybones. She said in her charming way as she nudged him.

Merlin, he had decided, was the name he will use from now on, having had so many names over the years and it is quite popular nowadays, strange names are in. No one ever said, ‘Do you know King Arthur? Anymore,’ but that might change if Viviane moves him back in time.

Merlin said, and meant it with feeling: "Well, it’s good to see you, I have missed our adventures together.

I’m pleased to hear that because I have a task for you if you are interested., besides the fact that I miss them too. Viviane knew exactly how Merlin felt; she had always been watching him. She could have asked another time traveler to do this task but thought it would suit Merlin better. Viviane interrupted her thoughts, You know when my mother cast this spell on me to enhance the image King Arthur and the start of the English Empire, I was horrified at first. But now I am exalted by it, because it brought me into contact with you, and we have fulfilled that task together. She said.

I am grateful as well; I would not have seen any of the things you have shown me over the centuries; my life has been enriched far beyond anything that I would have expected. Although I have had several surrogate mothers in my time, I still have tears in my eyes when I think of that record by Luther Vandross ‘Dance with my father’. That record meant so much to me. What task do you have for me? Said Merlin.

I understand what that record means to you, but you won’t hear it unless you go back to 2020, and that would not be a good idea. I never used to tell you your task, did I? That was so that you would work it out and develop your own character. You surpassed all my expectations, and now I can tell you in advance.

Sir Walter Raleigh has established the Colony of Virginia in the North American continent, it will be a hard task for him, but at this moment he is in danger of being killed before the Colony has had the chance to succeed. You need to go there and stop it happening. Viviane raised her hand, and a pistol flew into Merlin’s hand, and a box of bullets was on the table. When you have finished with the gun, get rid of it, as it will be from a different time zone.

Merlin picked up the ammunition and loaded the cartridge leaving the safety catch on. What time period will we be in here? as Merlin was racking his brain, which was only just coming to, searching for information on Walter Raleigh.

Ah yes, that is the problem, the year is 1586, that is the same period that you were with Queen Elizabeth in Whitehall Palace. Now Walter is a favorite of the Queen, and if he takes you back to London with him, you must not meet the Queen, it could have disastrous results, the same person being there as different people at the same time. Do you understand? Said Viviane.

Hmm, I see the point; don’t worry, I’ll deal with it if necessary. I suppose I shouldn’t meet anyone I knew from that time. Said, Merlin

You got it. Now go and get what you need, don’t worry about clothes, I’ll deal with that, said Viviane. Merlin left the room looking around for what he should take; he didn’t need anything, then he saw Michelle’s lucky coin on top of the dresser, so he put it in his pocket. Michelle was Merlin’s second wife, who died in the fire at Shakespeare’s Globe theater in London in the year 1613.

He went back to the room where Viviane is waiting, twiddling with Michelle’s coin and said with a tear in his eye, I’ve got all I need, as he picked up the ammunition.

Then walk into me, as she held out her arms. Merlin moved forward into her and immediately was transported back in time to 1586. He lands smoothly now; he has learned how to do that expertly now, many years ago, he remembered how he would tumble and turn initially.

He is standing in the open countryside on a warm sunny day, hardly a cloud in the sky, which is bathed in a bright blue, but in an area with large boulders scattered around on the red sandy soil. He is behind one of the rocks, as he looks out to the east, he sees that he is on high ground. In the distance, he can see the sea, and beyond that is a small island, from then onward is the wide-open expanse of the ocean.

He can make out a ship on the sea, off the island; at the top of the mast, he can see the flag of a red cross against a white background. The flag of Saint George, the patron saint of England. Merlin has seen this flag taken into many battles in his time. The ship reminds him of the galleon of Sir Francis Drake, the Golden Hind. Merlin knows his task is regarding Walter Raleigh, so he assumes the island must be where Raleigh set up his first Colony, which he called Virginia after the Virgin Queen of England, Elizabeth 1.

The Island is located in a vast sound, in the inland waterway stretching down the east coast of the American continent. In the distance beyond the island is another ship heading toward the island, crisscrossing its path, heading upwind. Merlin is concerned it might be Spanish, the two countries are not at war yet, but there is no love lost between them. He cannot see what flag it is flying at this distance and reverts to the challenge in hand.

As Merlin peers around the boulder, he can see in front of him about a hundred yards away, two more rocks, and behind each is a native, dressed in loincloths and a headband each with one feather in it. They have no shirt on, and their skin is reddish-brown as a result of the sun, and the red iron-based soil which they rub on their bodies.

They have laid a thick twine rope between the two rocks, across the path of an incoming rider. About two hundred yards in front of the natives is a rider on a horse, traveling fast towards them, heading for the gap between the boulders. Merlin wonders if this is Walter Raleigh, he is dressed for the part, looking a little like John Wayne, from the nineteen hundreds but a lot slimmer.

Merlin creeps forward from rock to rock until he is about fifty yards behind the Indians, holding his gun, he takes the safety catch off. As the rider gets level with the boulders, the Indians raise the twine quickly, hitting the horse on the chest. The horse, a chestnut stallion, is shocked and rears up high, throwing the rider to the ground behind it.

The rider is knocked dizzy and passes out, as the two Indians come forward. One jumps on top of the rider with his knife held high in the air, intending to bring it down hard to scalp the man. Merlin rushes forward, raising his gun to waist height and without hesitating shoots the assailant in the back. The Indian falls on top of his intended prey and dies; Merlin is an excellent shot.

The other Indian turning at the sound of the gunshot, sees Merlin and raises his knife into a throwing position and hurls it toward Merlin, who ducks. Still, before he blade gets anywhere near Merlin, a hand appears in the sky and catches the blade midstream. Merlin fires his gun again and hits the second Indian; he too falls to the ground dead. The knife drops to the ground with a thud on the stony surface. Merlin touches his head in thanks to Viviane, who is invisible at the moment, but he knows she is there.

Merlin puts the gun into his pocket with the safety catch back on. Having checked, both men are dead; he moves to the rider, who is just now coming out of his unconsciousness. Merlin offers a hand and helps the rider up, who says, Hello, and thank you; that was close, my head aches as if it could burst. My name is Walter Raleigh; you just saved my life. I thought my time was up then; I could just make out the knife before I passed out. Having shaken hands, they now embrace.

You are welcome, Sir. Said Merlin. Walter walks across to check on the natives. They are dead.

How did you do that? I can see no knife wounds, only these small holes in their skin. I thought I heard an explosion, and that knife just stopped in midair, said Walter.

Thinking quickly and knowing that the gun had only recently been invented in France said, It was a slingshot, Walter. As for the knife, you must have imagined it in your delirium, and promptly changing the conversation said, My name is Merlin,

Did you know King Arthur? No, that was a bad joke, said Walter with a fake laugh. If only he knew, thought Merlin.

Merlin bends down and picks up both knives; he wonders where the Indians got them, they are quality pieces of metal, the Spanish he thinks, so they have been this far north. Walter sees that Merlin is in thought, it shows on his face. What’s on your mind, young man? said Walter, although he is much younger than Merlin.

Oh nothing, I was just dreaming, Merlin said, as he anticipated the next question.

Where did you come from? I know everyone in the settlement, and you’re not from there. I am not complaining mind you, said Walter.

I have come up overland from the Spanish settlement in Florida, but unfortunately, I rode my horse too hard, and it died yesterday. I have been making my way to your settlement. I met Francis Drake the other month down south, and he told me that you were here. I thought I might be able to help in some way; I am sure Virginia will one day be important. Merlin thought he had got away with that explanation.

Drake! It wouldn’t surprise me if he turned up here soon. He always gets in my way, you know, said Walter.

Well, if you turn around Walter, I think you might see his ship coming into your port. I think that is the Golden Hind, isn’t it? Said Merlin.

Damn the man, Walter said as he turned around, I don’t need him here. Well, I’d better give you a ride back to the settlement. It’s a long walk from here, Walter says and puts two fingers in his mouth, and a shrill whistle comes out. His horse slowly came over with his head nearly touching the ground, bending in shame, it knew it would be chastised. Walter lifted the horse’s head and was about to use his crop on the horse’s rump.

Merlin interrupted, That is no way to treat a horse sir if you want him to respect you, and he went over to the horse and breathed into his nostrils, and stroked his face, he horse responded by nestling into Merlin’s chest.

You seem to be good with animals, too, said Walter.

I have had to be over the years. But Merlin said no more, and Walter let it pass.

Walter got on the horse and said to Merlin, Climb up behind me. Still, before he could do that, Viviane suddenly appeared but only seen my Merlin and sat behind Walter; Merlin put his foot in the stirrup and hoisted himself behind Walter leaving space for Viviane.

Walter walked the horse forward, the extra weight was telling on the beast, neither man is very light these days, but Viviane felt she was in the way, so without saying anything, she flew off. That’s better, said Walter, not realizing that Merlin had closed the gap.

Ten minutes later, Viviane reappeared to Merlin riding a piebald horse, but there was no saddle on it. Walter could not see Viviane and said, That’s strange, where did that horse come from with a bridle on it, but no saddle. It’s a beautiful beast as well.

Viviane’s hair is blowing in the breeze horizontally, and she is smiling at Merlin and says Here this horse will be better for you, you’ll have to ride bareback, but you’ve done it before, and I’ve had a quiet word with the horse, he’s not broken in, but he will be a good as gold.

Hold still while I get off, Walter, Merlin says.

You can’t ride bareback; only the natives do that, Walter says, but he stops the horse while Merlin jumps off. Merlin goes to the new horse, a beautiful black and white patched creature and again breathes into its nostrils, it raises its head with a neigh. The horse lowers itself to the ground for Merlin to climb on. The horse rises, and Merlin is now on its back, Viviane has joined behind him.

Walter is amazed just looking on, How did you do that, this is a wild horse, and yet it is completely under your control? I’ve never seen anything like that.

Magic! Says Merlin as he raises his arms in a gesture, and the horse moves forward in the right direction, with Walter trailing behind. This is nice, Viviane; we haven’t done this for many years. When was it last? Said Merlin.

I think it was with Robin Hood, or it may have been with King Henry V. We should do it more often. Said Viviane.

As they get nearer to the settlement, Viviane says, "You do realize that is Drakes ship on the shoreline. It is best if you keep away from him, you will meet him again in a year or so with the Spanish Armada, and although he knew you were a time traveler then. Because we have come back in time on this occasion, if he sees you now, it will complicate matters for next time.

Thinking about it, though, maybe we should give you a disguise now, and then it would not matter; you have a different name now, so that should work as well." At that, suddenly, Merlin had a goatee beard, and his hair has grown at least two inches but groomed in the Mediterranean tradition.

Merlin put his hand up to his beard, "I Like the feel of it, but what is Walter