PJ and the Quest for the King: Promise of Magic

By Stormy Summers

After being magically transported to Camelot, PJ is learning magic from Merlin the Magician, and she's loving every minute of it. But when King Arthur is captured by the picts, Merlin says it's up to PJ to lead the Knights to the rescue!
But how can a fourteen year old girl lead an army such as the one that belonged to Camelot? Despite her fears and misgivings, leading is what she must do, and it will take all the magic at her disposal to help her save King Arthur and bring him back to his people.
But what will this mean for PJ, when Arthur is furious at being rescued by this simple girl?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stormy Summers Publishing
• Release date: Jan 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201518646

Stormy Summers

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, and adopted at the tender age of 3 months by a wonderful Christian couple in Live Oak, Florida. I grew up on a farm, participating in 4-H and learning that earning your own money to pay your way through life is one of life's most valuable lessons. My parents brought me up in church, teaching me respect and moral values that are still important to me to this day. I was able to give back to my wonderful parents by helping my father to care of my mother who suffered with Alzheimer's Disease and by taking care of my father who passed away from Cancer only one year before my mother passed away. I spent the biggest part of my life there up until 2 years ago, when I met and married the love of my life and moved to the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. Together my husband and I are raising the youngest of my five kids from a previous marriage and slowly remodeling one of the oldest houses in the small rural town we live in. We spend an incredible amount of time traveling to see our six grand-children, which means that a lot of the writing gets done on the road, and some of those grand babies tend to pop up in these stories now and then.

Book preview

Chapter One

The Beginning

1.1

Within a couple of days, PJ’s life felt almost normal. Merlin woke her before sunrise each morning, and while Maria carried water, cleaned their rooms, washed their clothes and did the hundred other things a servant would do, she spent hour after hour being lectured about magic, its properties, the types of magic that exist and how to find and reach the magic within herself, that Spark of God's Spirit that she'd learned everyone had, but only a few would ever recognize and put to use. For many are called, quoted Merlin, but few are chosen.

Magic, Merlin told her, "is used by both the witch and the wizard, by the sorcerer and the conjurer, and of course, by the Magician and the Mage. Each of them practices a different type of magic, chosen for the way it affects the world, and the strength of the power it gives its practitioner.

"A witch, for example, uses only God's power in himself, and while a Wizard, too, uses that power, he also delves into sorcery. A pure Sorcerer, however, uses no power of his own; instead, he will use sigils and incantations to conjure and enslave spirits. A conjurer, on the other hand, though he appears to use sorcery, is fooling himself. He uses his own magic, but pretends, and often believes, that he is commanding spirits like a true sorcerer.

The Mage uses the true magic, the very power of God within, but he will also be a priest, and his magic is used in the service of, and for the glory of, his temple or church.

But, PJ asked, if everyone has some magic, then isn't everyone a magician of some kind, sort of?

Indeed, this is almost true, Merlin said, though you should remember that only the few are aware of the existence of the power of the spirit. This is why practitioners of magic are so rare. The only other wielder of magic is the Usurper, one who has captured or enslaved or enchanted one of the magical creatures and taken its power as his or her own. This is often done for evil intent, but there have been rare cases wherein it was necessary for the preservation of life, or for some other good.

He smiled at her. But, you, my dear Child, will surpass them all, for you—are a Magician! A Magician uses the true magic of the Spirit, and with it she touches and commands all of the magicks of nature! You will use and dominate the magic of earth and water, of air and of fire! When you have found your magic, down in the center of your being, no other form of magic will be able to prevail against you! As you did with my staff, you shall do with your own power!

But, the staff, PJ said. When I held it, it—it seemed like I could do anything!

Merlin nodded his agreement. And that is essentially true, he replied, for the staff is the greatest of the Great Charms. In the hands of Aaron, at the command of Moses, it caused the Nile to become blood, called down burning hailstones and locusts and frogs and flies, and even death. In Moses' own hand, it parted the Red Sea and called forth water from dry stone! When the Magi bound it with magic, they held to its past, and they bound to it the Natural Magic that rules the essence of the earth, itself. It has power over the material elements, and whatever is made of them, and plants and all that comes from them, as well. That's how it changed your clothing, and mine, because they are made of the fibers of plants.

PJ thought that the clothes she'd been wearing probably had artificial fabrics in them, but those would have come from nature originally. Some, she'd read, were made from petroleum, which came from the earth, so she felt sure that the staff’s power included minerals and their products, as well.

So, the other Charms, she asked, were they also, I dunno, focused on a particular area of magic?

Merlin beamed at her. Indeed, he said. The Mirror has power over time and space, and in its image it shows whatever reality that its master or mistress commands; that's how I brought you here. Arthur's sword, Excalibur, has power over war and conflict; the leader who wields it at the forefront of a battle will be victorious, and is himself unbeatable in personal combat. His Crown, which was once Solomon's, gives him wisdom. And there is Adam's Stole, that commands the animals that God brought to Adam to name.

'Wow, PJ breathed. And you have all of those, now, right?"

"Yes. Only two remain unfound, the Grail and the Heart. The Grail is a leather wine-bottle that never ages and never runs dry, filled with the Holy Wine that Jesus made from water. One drink will heal any illness or injury, even a mortal wound, if it's given while the person still lives.

And the last is the Heart, the great red diamond that did once grace the throat of Esther, a gift from her husband, King Ahasuerus. Esther was so lovely, and the King of Persia so loved her, that when he had decided to kill all of her people, his love for his Hebrew wife stayed his hand. Esther had learned of his plans, and begged him to change his mind, and when he did, it was the Persians who were destroyed, instead. The Heart those Magi set to rule the hearts of men, and its wearer can compel love or hate or any other emotion from friend or foe.

So, if I had all of them, that'd be like having ultimate power, wouldn't it? I could do anything...

Merlin nodded slowly. You are very nearly correct, Child, but you must remember that each of the Charms has a weakness, an area of vulnerability. The mirror, for instance, cannot see whatever is under an enchantment of concealment; the Sword cannot be victorious in battle if held by one who seeks to destroy unjustly; the Crown will give no wisdom to him who seeks only power, and not justice; the Stole cannot control any magical creature; the heart cannot rule the emotions of one who is not sane; the wine of the Grail cannot heal a self-inflicted wound; and even my Staff will not lend its power to evil purpose.

PJ frowned in thought. But, if the Charms can't be used to do evil or harm an innocent, or do injustice, why would Lucifer want them?

Lucifer himself cannot touch them, nor wield them—for this, he will rely on his human minions. And while they cannot do evil directly with them, they can do much magic that will result in evil. As we have seen, some things are difficult to distinguish; to use magic to create a sumptuous meal may seem good, but if the feast then draws a victim to be murdered...

I get it, PJ said, and took a deep breath. Merlin, Arthur told me—the Arthur in my time—that both of the ones you don't have will be found before the battle with Lucifer, that one of his knights will find the Heart, and another will find the Grail.

The old Magician nodded. What will be cannot be changed, nor can any man intervene. Do not share your knowledge of the days to come with anyone but me. He sighed. "So, do you see? The Charms do contain the Natural Magic of the world; the magicks of the elements, of time and space, of beasts, of war, and in mankind the magicks of the mind, the heart and the body! In them, every aspect of earth finds its place, and whoever can possess and command all of them will have the power to rule all the Natural World. Not even Lucifer could stand against such power; and until the Magi bound them, not even Lucifer could have harnessed them all.

But in your time, it seems that such power is within his grasp, and with it he dares to hope once more to stand against the Most High God!

1.2

PJ picked up a rag and threw it at him. Then let's start teachin me! she cried, and then ducked as the rag flew back at her face.

Did you notice that my hand never touched the cloth? That I threw it back with magic?

Yeah, but you didn't say anything! Don't we have to say something?

Yes, Merlin said, but you don't have to say it aloud. You can whisper, or even think it. Now, can you throw it back at me the same way?

PJ looked at the rag as it lay on the floor, behind her. She closed her eyes and whispered, Fly! Nothing happened.

By the end of her first week, PJ was frustrated. No matter how she tried, she was unable to perform even the smallest magic without the staff, except attraction, and that only with simple things.

Merlin said attraction was good, but she needed to become adept at physical magic, as well, and so he kept urging her to practice, practice, practice! He never seemed to lose patience with her, and while she could frustrate him at times—earning her yet another smack on the head—she sensed that he liked her, and the feeling made her try even harder.

At night, she and Maria would talk. PJ would (carefully) tell Maria stories about her faraway home, and in return Maria would teach her about Camelot and the people who made it such a great city. Occasionally, the girls would be allowed to spend an evening free, and they enjoyed such times. PJ even began to wish she could bring Amy and Jason back to see this ancient world, but she never asked Merlin about it—she figured she had enough on her plate already.

At times, when she was alone, or when Maria was sleeping soundly in her own bed, PJ would let her mind wander back to Arthur and his long story about how the Challenge and the Prophecy came to be. Over and over she played it in her memory, and many times she would suddenly realize that. she had missed some important point, some issue that should have caught her attention. A thousand times she made a mental note to ask Merlin about such things, but somehow, it never seemed to come up. PJ was too busy just trying to absorb all that he was teaching her.

For his own part, Igli was enjoying the relaxed atmosphere, and though he stayed close to PJ all the time, he was delighted when others saw him. This often resulted in little gifts, such as a nut or a piece of fruit, and Igli buzzed happily at any attention.

On the morning of her eighth day in Camelot, PJ walked into Merlin's room at her usual time, an hour before dawn, and suddenly froze in her tracks, for there at the table with Merlin sat Father Tremayne!

Chapter Two

Magic School

2.1

PJ looked a second time and realized that she was not quite right—this man certainly looked like the old priest she had met in her own time, but he was much younger. His hair and beard were not as gray, and there were none of the wrinkles around his eyes and nose that she'd noticed when they'd met.

Peri, Merlin said with a laugh, come, Child, and meet Sir Trystan, one of the King's brave knights! Sir Trystan, meet my new apprentice, Peri! She comes to me from afar, to learn of magic.

PJ walked over to where the men sat and tried to curtsy as Maria had done, but it was a poor imitation at best. Sir Trystan laughed, then suddenly reached out, grabbed PJ by the arm, and pulled her close, looking her over.

A comely lass, Merlin, he said. Have you found a youth potion at last, that you're keeping such a morsel to yourself? Or would you sell her? She looks like she'd be good for bearing sons...

PJ, who had become accustomed to Anglic, no longer needed to think through what was said; she understood Sir Trystan perfectly, and when she realized he was trying to catch the hem of her skirt, she jerked back and slapped him.

He was stunned! No woman refused the attentions of a knight, unless she was either married or had been consecrated to the Church! He grabbed her again, and had only just laid her over his knee when he felt a feather-light touch at his throat that suddenly became a noose, and he dropped PJ onto the floor as he was hoisted up out of his chair as if by invisible rope, choking and coughing.

It was Igli, who had launched himself as soon as Trystan's intent registered. The little fairy had flown a rapid loop around the knight's neck, leaving a sparkling trail behind him, and when he caught both ends of it and flew upward, it closed like a lasso. Wings screaming, Igli held the big man a foot off the floor!

Merlin roared with laughter, slapping his hands on the table in his mirth. He reached down and lifted PJ up from where she'd fallen to the stones.

Trystan, he said between guffaws, how often have you been told that your lusts would be your undoing? You should know full well that a theurgic apprentice is among God's most beloved children, and her fairy warrior has made the point well, I believe. This girl is above you, Sir Knight; do not make a fool of yourself over her.

PJ watched, fascinated, as Igli let go of his magical, almost invisible line, and Trystan was instantly released. He dropped back heavily into his chair and rubbed his throat as he sucked in air and clambered to his feet.

Could you not have told me sooner? he bellowed, then looked up at Igli, who was hovering protectively over PJ.

Little Warrior, I apologize for my foolishness, and thank you for your correction. You have saved me from making an even bigger ass of myself.

He turned to PJ. My dear young lady, may it please you to accept the most humble apologies of a chastened knight? If you will only forgive my indiscretion, I shall pledge myself your servant forever!

PJ eyed him coolly and then, with a sidelong glance at Merlin, she addressed him directly.

Very well, she said haughtily. I forgive you, Sir Knight, and will hold you to your pledge!