Morgan la Fey's last stand at Stonehenge

By Cal pflugrath

Third and final book in this epic Morgan travels the world with hers and Arthurs' son. She teaches him to control his mistic powers and grow towards knighthood.
Back in Britain they work alongside Arthur uniting the Misty Isles. Opposing civil war and evil magical influences the fate of England's future hangs in the balance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Feb 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9781458383464

Book preview

Chapter one    introduction to death’s door

He’s in way too close, Chang Wong cautioned, gripping a spear.

I silently watched. ‘Come on, Mordred,’ my mind thought to him. ‘don’t be stupid. That’s some big cat.’

Body tensed preparing to launch for my boy’s defense.

Morgan? Chang asked.

I shook my head whispering, not yet.

Heavy snow continued obscuring that dangerous Siberian scene. The tiger cautiously approached. Eyes closed a barely one hundred-twenty pound thirteen-year-old boy knelt in the snow whispering that spell.

The two-thousand-pound cat stalked up. Eyes opening Mordred smiled reached out and rose.

How is my furry friend? he joked patting that monster’s head.

Chang and I breathed a huge sigh of relief. He’s a risk taker, Consul Wong snickered. Just like his crazy mom.

Whose little kitty are you? Mordred mused.

The tiger growled and trotted off into thick foliage.

That night back at our crowded Shanghai hotel restaurant we discussed the day over some delicious eight course dinner.

I know you are upset about the tiger, Mordred insisted. That cat never represented a danger to me or anyone else.

I frowned. "How can you be so certain? That monster could see you as an easy snack. The damage which might have incurred would be impossible for me to reverse.

You then end up a cripple or dead.

The boy grinned. "He wasn’t hungry, just curious. Trust me mom. Once in range I can enter their minds.

We are closely related. Though some different kind of lifeform that cat and I evolved from the same source.

Head shaking I offered, "you have shown amazing magical talent, Son. We are all proud of your progress, but these chances you take.

Last week it was an encounter with some wild musk ox you decided to ride. Yes, the Congolese locals were impressed but you might have been hurt foolishly showing off.

I looked into the bull’s mind. There existed no threat.

I smiled and shook my head. "An unbroken creature such a thing’s thoughts can change in some instant with fatal results.

You were focused on that attractive king’s daughter, trying to impress.      "My mind never lost control of either animal during both circumstances, and yes Valala is a very interesting young woman. This one did wish to garner her approval and affections.

I understand you are looking out for me but at some point personal considerations need to be taken into account.

He’s got a point, Chang agreed. "Your boy shows amazing talent with animals and space-time manipulation.

Valala seemed an intriguing young woman, well-educated and particularly attractive.

I chuckled, stop you two. Now you are just ganging up. I liked that African princess as well.

Mordred’s shapeshifting also displays great potential. Chang went on. Remember what an amazing enchantress you were at fourteen.

I enjoyed the leadership and direction of several talented sorcerers watching my back. That cat and ox would never have happened under their supervision.

Mordred sipped his beer. Yes, like that Babylonian vampire you took on single handed. How old and skilled was Alukah A, Mom?

Consul Wong giggled, the Constantinople betting pool money was on your vampire adversary.

I enjoyed plenty of help on that from Rabbi Velich, others, and you, Chang. Turning to Mordred I continued, "today in the clearing you exposed yourself to unpredictable danger.

Had that beast charged the Consul or I could not have saved your life.

You don’t know that. I may have a mental edge others lack or have yet to develop. My mind controlled both those circumstances. There was never any danger.

Letting out a long slow sigh I nodded. "Okay, Mordred. My hope is not restricting your education, but don’t take foolish chances.

I can spot the difference between risky and reckless.

The boy grinned. "Making you uncomfortable is not my intention, and I share your priorities.

These investigations of mine are all with positive purpose. Achieving our goal may involve some serious peril.

Uncertainty and danger go hand in hand, the Consul insisted. "Morgan is only looking out for your best interests.

Trust her experience and judgement.

Dinner finished Mordred drained his beer rose and said, I’m off for a stroll along the Huangpu River. This gives you an opportunity to discuss my many misdeeds and fabulous shortcomings.

I smiled. Tomorrow we are teleporting to Sichuan and Panda country. After your walk get some sleep. We’ve got a busy day ahead.

And don’t go riding any river dolphins, the Consul joked.

A smirking Mordred departing I sighed, sometimes he can seem so mature. Then there are other moments.

Chang sipped his tea. "Don’t be too hard on yourself. Parenting is a tough job. I’m just grateful my four kids are fully fledged and out on their own. So is their saint of a mom, may beloved Evie rest in peace.

Even grown up do you ever stop worrying about them?

Kids? the consul asked.

I sipped plum wine then nodded.

"Not really but these concerns grow less as you enjoy offspring’s successful efforts. Give him time. Mordred’s a good kid. He’ll come around.

"Right now the boy’s got all these raging hormones telling him what to do. You and I should let his mind roam where it goes.

Only the Gods know those limits of your son’s abilities. These flights of fancy may produce a positive undiscovered outcome.

Or not, I mumbled. There remains a darker side within, something the boy does not reveal.

Chang smirked, don’t we all shield some mysterious inner Id, unknown to others and only inside ourselves?

I nodded. You are right, my friend.

How soon does his formal military training towards knighthood begin?

"He turns fourteen in three months. Combat instruction began over a year ago. Like his Dad Mordred shows great promise.

"Favorite weapon the hammer or Mace he’s got some strong right arm.

Six months in China exposed him to a myriad of unfamiliar weapons and battle tactics. I wish we could have traveled about the Middle Kingdom’s interior learning more.

Chang laughed, "trekking away from well paved city streets is like stepping back a thousand years. Villages and towns are linked with mud and dirt trails barely two people wide.

Tramping about the back country involves plenty of time and effort. I’m just grateful tagging along on your teleports across the interior of Cathay. I’ve seen more of this nation’s fabulous distant sites with you than in my previous fifty-nine years.

Glad to be of service. Are you interested in tomorrow’s Panda expedition?

I would not miss such an excursion for the world. Seeing those elusive beasts roaming about their natural habitat is the thrill of a lifetime.

At the giant panda research station we met up with Doctor Prang Chin. The young man grew up locally and was familiar with his field of research.

It is unfortunate your arrival here happens on a very rainy day in the mountains. Our local family groups are difficult to locate under perfect weather conditions.

What is the giant pandas’ normal habitation range? Chang queried.

They thrive in regional bamboo stands roaming elevations from one-thousand to eleven-thousand feet.

Well let’s go look for them, Mordred insisted.

What do you think, Doctor Chin? I asked, Is there danger with this heavy weather seeking these bears in the deep bamboo?

The doctor mulled that suggestion over and replied, "like any wild animal they dislike intruders, human or otherwise upon home ranges. A large male can weigh up to one-thousand pounds.

"Pandas are very territorial even among their own kind. Approaching them in confusing conditions might leave us in danger.

The other difficulty remains locating such elusive animals during this rainstorm.

I can find them, my son insisted. There is a family group less than two miles due west from here.

I didn’t ask how he knew that but understanding my youngsters’ wizarding skills realized he was probably correct.

As a panda expert I would recommend against this course of action. That range and family group belongs to Old Bruiser. He’s very big and an unpredictable beast, noted for a bad attitude.

I looked at Mordred who shrugged back. Why don’t I just explore on my own, Mom.

Doctor Chin grimaced, head shaking. I cannot stop you from going on some perilous operation but urge otherwise.

My mind considered. The boy seemed adamant. There were those other incidents, the tiger and ox. Mordred possessed proven amazing powers when controlling wild beasts.

Turning to him I offered, let’s go. Chang and Doctor Chin can await our return here at the research station.

Chang grinned. Not without me. I’m responsible for my guests. We will go together or not at all.

I grimaced, "Mordred and I are better suited for this. Please stay here.

If things look promising I’ll come back for you.

Chang laughed and shook his head. I’m coming along. That’s final.

With a deep breath I sighed and nodded.

The rain poured down. Plodding up a muddy game trail it was two steps forward and one sliding back.

I can’t see a thing, I fumed at Mordred. We’ve been stumbling about for almost an hour.

We are nearly there, he answered. Those pandas are climbing the bamboo just ahead, a mother with two cubs.

Where’s the alpha male? Chang asked.

Snarling and roaring his answer suddenly came crashing through thick foliage to our left. As Consul Wong took some paw blow to the neck I converted into a tiger and engaged that attacking beast.

‘Grab Chang and get him out of here,’ I thought to Mordred.

That roaring panda was big but no match for some fifteen-hundred-pound tiger. Shrieking it fled uphill relatively uninjured. I converted back materializing pants and a raincoat then hurried downhill after companions.

At the bottom of that slope I ran up to Mordred crouching over Chang. Kneeling beside I gazed deep into the diplomats’ eyes.

Help him, Mom.

I gulped, head shaking.

Chang gave a rueful smile. Breath shallow he struggled for air. "This one is heading for my happy hunting ground. Time short, Mordred carefully heed these words.

Though destined for greatness you still have much to learn. Listen to Morgan. Follow her advice. She has yours’ and Britain’s best interests in mind.

My dear friend looked up into