Young Morgan la Fey Enchantress of Camelot

By Cal pflugrath

Following Lieutenant Mysty la Fey's untimely demise Young Morgan the Enchantress becomes Merlin's talented apprentice. Her extraordinary magical talents earn fame and fortune from Africa to the far east. Fighting alongside Arthur Pendragon Morgan faces her greatest challenges and ultimate fate.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Dec 29, 2021
• ISBN: 9781716053023

Book preview

Young Morgan la Fey Enchantress of Camelot

Historical fiction by Cal Pflugrath

Chapter one    the secret arrangement

What’s the big deal, Merlin? I asked. It was just a little ride through nearby woods.

The wizard smiled. You were gone two days. Lady Freida had half the Tintagel staff out searching.

She worries too much. I lost track of time.

That’s the other thing. We scoured those woods. You were nowhere to be found. Nor did anyone discover any sign of you having been there.

I fidgeted. Lying to Merlin never successful my mind sought something he might find plausible because the truth would not work.

It’s personal. A woman’s issue. Please do not embarrass me further.

He scrutinized with a smirk. Okay, kid. I understand your blooming womanhood is challenging. Perhaps you are more comfortable discussing these complications with Frieda or Haylee?

I looked down nodding. fibbing to my mentor and close friend produced a twinge of guilt. Under the circumstances this was necessary.

Get cleaned up. We’ve got important guests arriving for evening’s festivities.

Any folks this one might find entertaining? I yawned.

That remains to be seen. Dinner’s in one hour. Wear one of your favorite formal outfits, and Morgan?

Yes, Merlin?

"Do not make up the truth with me again. If you are engaged in some secret affair of a supernatural sort, my advice and assistance could be critical. I am more experienced in these matters, Waif.

I understand at fourteen you feel quite adept and have made great strides with your magical education. Be careful experimenting and remember, Mysty watches over us both.

At dusk Earl Pinwick of Cornwall and several Cornish nobles led his two hundred mounted knights through the gates of Tintagel keep. Greatly expanded to accommodate a vast addition of soldiers in the last ten years my adopted home now appeared some bristling multi towered fortress.

Once just a small-manned outpost perched on England’s extreme southwest tip this busy bustling port and castle complex housed some fourteen thousand staff and fighters. Over the decade Baron Garrick’s three thousand cavalry and seven thousand men-at-arms successfully supported the Earl’s forces on numerous English battlefields.

Tintagel’s peg-legged baron made quite the combat reputation in shining silver armor. Mounted upon his fierce war horse ‘Ruckus’, gleaming metal blinded stunned adversaries. None could withstand him and his similarly outfitted five-hundred knights.

Pinwick and Garrick’s joint operations funded by Tintagel’s Mediterranean silk and gold trade armed and supported the vulnerable southeast coast.

Many new recruits were Saxons seeking a safe place to raise families. British hospitality quickly adopted these continental newcomers, distant Celtic cousins.

Dinner would be in the baron’s new music filled grand hall. Comfortably seating some thousand revelers I perched at the main table flanked by Merlin on my left. To the right sat Baroness Frieda Fairfax beside her husband Tilton.

At a large swollen breast she nursed hers and Baron Garrick’s first child, some fair-haired girl named Guinevere.

Well, Baron, the elderly earl flanking him began, your new feasting hall is most impressive.

Thank you, Lord. With our expanded numbers an equally enlarged facility is required.

You’ve done a beautiful job, Sir.

Smiling down at me three seats away Pinwick inquired, how is my favorite enchantress-in-training this evening?

I gleamed back, mesmerized and at the brink of rapture, Earl Pinwick. How could I feel otherwise in your remarkable company?

We all laughed.

Your whit and personality always charm. I like the black hair instead of that strawberry blond. Is this some permanent change?

I nodded. It’s what Mom would have wanted. Do you bring good news from the east and south coasts?

Secure on all fronts, he assured. "With the fall weather arriving early shipping in the channel and North Sea becomes quite hazardous. I’m hoping for a pleasant, peaceful yuletide minus enemy action.

"Nottingham’s Lord Talron negotiated successful trade arrangements with nearby Scottish and Pic clans. This further enhances the stabilization of central England.

Lord Hemberly of Cardiff worked out fair trade accommodations among his nearby northern adversaries. Full bellies in the winter can dispel plenty of animosity.

Let’s hope that carries over into spring, Merlin mused. But you didn’t ride all this way beside your finest nobles and knights to update Tintagel Keep.

The earl smiled and nodded. Let us sup first then attend that business in a more private setting.

Feast well underway Earl Pinwick, his advisors, the baron and baroness, Merlin and I excused ourselves. We headed for Garrick’s new extensive library. Over drinks and refreshments our guest delivered his news.

"Tilton we have known each other since you were a lad growing up here. Your father always displayed good judgement. The example you set carries on his legacy making our Cornish region one of Britain’s most productive and successful.

In combat your forces have proved essential to victory by skillful deployment and accurate intelligence.

The Earl winked at me. Turning back to Baron Garrick he continued. "I have discussed this at length with my fellow southern England nobles and we feel it is time to elect you the Duke of Cornwall.

Tintagel shall be renamed Camelot and proclaimed the Cornish capitol. From here you will rule as the overlord of southern England commanding our combined thirty-five thousand forces.

Tilton shook his head. This honor should be yours, Lord. Your leadership has blended us into a cohesive unit. Everyone considers you Cornwall’s commander, Earl Pinwick.

With a sad smile he sighed, my time has come to step down. Old age and infirmities taking their toll, doctors say this is likely my last spring. While enjoying it at royal estates I shall rest assured you and Camelot have southern England’s back, Tilton.

Trust me, son. You earned this promotion and are ready for the challenge.

Back at that main feasting hall and Baron Garrick’s ascension to Duke of Cornwall announced those festivities got into full swing.

Returned to our main table seats I turned down a series of dancing invitations. Most of those requesting attention were overly eager youthful warriors.

They had all heard tales of the young Tintagel enchantress and hoped to gain my confidence and regional notoriety.

What’s wrong with you? Merlin asked. Teenagers are supposed to mix. This is a good chance for some mingling among boys your own age.

I laughed When requiring male company this one will select her own companions, thank you.

Where’s your sense of adventure? He smirked.

Looking over at him I sighed, still out at sea.

Preparing for sleep that night Frieda entered my quarters. Slipping under covers I gleamed, it has been some time since you tucked me into bed.

She smiled. How are you doing?

I’m alright.

They will be okay, Frieda insisted. Admiral Ackley and Captain McQuade know there business.

They are a week overdue. It’s October fifth. The weather has been dreadful.

Frieda giggled, "Haylee, Dallin, and Ivan are likely enjoying a big party right now at some Lisbon hotel banquet room.

"Smart sailors they are waiting out the latest Atlantic blow. After that they will creep up the coast of Gaul stopping at local ports and bays for protection.

Give them time. With ten ships and plenty of experience those seamen shall return boasting about valuable treasure and amazing tales deserving a shanty or two.

I sighed, You are right. I just do not take losing people well.

No one does, Hon. Ivanhoe will return. You can bet on that. I’m more concerned with you.

In what way?

Frieda sat on the bed beside me and sighed, "there is something Mysty explained about your super-natural nature. It has to do with living between two worlds.

"In one you and I exist while the other is a place of magic, monsters, and unknown things only your eyes can distinguish.

I have grown familiar with when my Morgan starts spending too much time in that other world. What have you been up to?

I grimaced.

Freida shook her head and hugged me. Fighting off tears I held her back tight. I’ll be good, Frieda. I promise.

Kissing my forehead she grinned, "I would expect nothing less from my girl. If you need to disappear for a few days in the future just let me know ahead of time. We both owe that to our lost friend Mysty.

I’m up in a few hours for a Guinevere feeding. Feel free to visit if you are still awake. I always enjoy my big girl’s company, Morgan.

As she left I sighed, now lying becomes a constant. Still, my mind on this subject appeared made up.

I transformed and ravened off towards that witches cavern high up in nearby mountains. I could have teleported, but this used less energy.

Landing before the tunnel threshold I converted and walked inside a vast illuminated cavern. Vivienne stood there draping some thick animal pelt about my shivering naked body.

I expected you sooner, student.

The feast and news delayed me, Mistress. My Baron has been made a duke. All southern England is now under his command.

Tall and light-skinned in glistening white robes I could never discern that Lady of the Lake’s eyes. Were they deepest blue or forest green? Those color frequencies shifted with surrounding backgrounds.

Come, Morgan, I have news of your friends. Leading through that large warm gallery before a pool of water I knelt and gazed into some turbulent surface.

Settling liquid blended into a night scene of my father’s Sea Queen docked at a stormy Atlantic port.

They’re safe, I sighed.

Vivienne nodded. Weather clears tomorrow and the convoy should be home in three days.

Thank you.

The Lake Lady smiled. Go home and get some rest.

I am greatly in your debt.

She nodded. We are mutually responsible for each other. You sought me out. I promised to never let you down.

I grinned. And in return this one assured her actions shall not lead Britain into dark waters.

Vivienne bowed. That is all I request for our continuing liaison.

I sighed, why can’t we share this link between us and Merlin?

Trust me here, Morgan. It has to do with the future’s timeline and both your positions within it.

I nodded, handed her back the robe, transformed, and flew off for Camelot.

Chapter two    Deception and discovery

Three days layer Sea Queen led the ten-ship formation into Tintagel harbor. I hugged Ivanhoe for dear life. Haylee now married to Admiral Ackley also got lots of hugs and kisses.

You okay Morgan? she asked.