Weldon's Arc

Chapter 2 of 9

By morning the rumor had crossed every corridor of the palace. A page whispered it at the kitchen door. A guard repeated it at the gate. The witch prince had been seen with strange light on his hands. Queen Serenity heard it three times before breakfast. She sent for Weldon without ceremony. He came alone, the cipher ring cold on his finger, and found her waiting in a high stone court open to the sky. She did not greet him. She set a small mirror of silver water on the bench between them and looked into it. "Show me what they saw," she said. Weldon hesitated. He had not meant to use the power she gave him in front of her so soon. He had meant to hide it until the treaty was signed. But she was already waiting, and her quiet was heavier than any order. He stepped back into the open court and lifted his hand. "Mythical Avalon Power," he said. The words tore out of him louder than he meant. Silver light cracked from his chest and ran down his arms. His witchcraft answered from beneath his skin, dark and green, and the two powers braided together in the air. The court rang like a struck bell. When the light fell away he stood in a long coat of black cloth set with crystal panels and woven sigils from a dozen traditions, silver thread running every seam. Stone groaned beside him. A shrine pushed up out of the courtyard floor, gray pillars carved with moons and stars, vines and crystals climbing its sides. It settled with a sound like a closing door. Queen Serenity rose. She walked once around him and once around the shrine. She touched a sigil on his sleeve and drew her hand back. "You are not what I made," she said. "You are not a senshi I have a name for." She studied the shrine. "Avalon. That is your kingdom's word." Weldon nodded. "Then that is what you are. Sailor Avalon. A guardian I did not plan." A shadow moved at the arch. Sailor Mercury stood there, tablet in hand, blue eyes flat. Behind her, half a step back, was Luna Starcrest, the pink ribbon at her collar pulled tight. Mercury bowed to the Queen. "My lady. The staff are talking. If you do not answer the rumor today, the court will answer it for you." Her voice did not rise. "Name him in open court. Or let them name him." Queen Serenity looked at Weldon a long moment. "At sundown," she said. "In open court. I will present you myself." She turned to Mercury. "See that the inner Guardians are there." Mercury bowed again and left. Luna's eyes stayed on Weldon one beat longer than they should have, then she followed. Weldon stood alone with the shrine at his back. The alliance was no longer the only thing he carried into that hall.