Tales From Camelot Series 12: QUEST Part 3

Tales From Camelot Series • Book Twelve

QUEST

Part Three

paul green

Copyright Notice

www.PaulGreenAuthor.com

Copyright 2019 Paul Green All Rights Reserved.

First Printing: October 2019

Revision A8

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Table of Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright Notice

Tales From Camelot Series

From the author ...

Map of Pretania

~ Prologue ~

~ Resurgence ~

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

~ Diversity ~

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

~ Homecoming ~

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

~ Starry Starry Night ~

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

~ The Coming Storm ~

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

~ Love In All Its Forms ~

Chapter 57

Chapter 58

Chapter 59

Chapter 60

Chapter 61

Map of Pretania

Chapter 62

Chapter 63

Chapter 64

Chapter 65

~ Devil in the Details ~

Chapter 66

Chapter 67

Chapter 68

Chapter 69

Chapter 70

Chapter 71

Chapter 72

Chapter 73

Chapter 74

Chapter 75

Chapter 76

Chapter 77

Chapter 78

Chapter 79

Chapter 80

Chapter 81

~ Affairs of the Heart ~

Chapter 82

Chapter 83

Chapter 84

Chapter 85

Chapter 86

Chapter 87

Chapter 88

Chapter 89

~ Long Live the Queen ~

Chapter 90

Chapter 91

Chapter 92

Chapter 93

Chapter 94

Chapter 95

Chapter 96

Chapter 97

Chapter 98

Chapter 99

Chapter 100

Notes to the reader ...

Cover - Pirate Tales Book One: RECKONING

Tales From Camelot Series

About the Author . . .

Tales From Camelot Series

Part One

Book 1: PENDRAGON

Book 2: CAMELOT

Book 3: CHAMPION

Book 4: SORCERESS

Part Two

Book 5: ROYALS

Book 6: EXCALIBUR

Book 7: CURSED

Book 8: LADY Part 1

Book 8: LADY Part 2

Part Three

Book 9: WARLORD

Book 10: MIRROR

Book 11: WYVERN

Book 12: QUEST Part 1

Book 12: QUEST Part 2

Book 12: QUEST Part 3

Book 12: QUEST Part 4

Book 12: QUEST Part 5

www.PaulGreenAuthor.com

From the author ...

Welcome once again to Camelot, and Part 3 of the popular QUEST storyline. And in case you haven't been keeping abreast of the news on the Facebook announcement page, there are going to be 5 Parts. I thought I'd be able to wrap things up here, but when I hit 100 chapters and realized I wasn't even close, well - I didn't have much choice, the Part 4 and 5 announcement had to be made. Which I suppose is good news for you the reader, you get one more book!

Part 3 is largely going to cover our journey getting to the Elven Temple for Kiana's Coronation, hence the book's cover. (Our big return to Camelot will be the main focus of Part 5). But in getting there, a lot of character development needed to take place. Therefore, much of this particular installment is going to be heavy on progressing many of our beloved characters.

Not the least of which is in the romance department. For you romantics out there, you especially are going to like this one. :) For example, when you get to the section entitled 'Starry Starry Night', well you'll see what I mean. But it doesn't end there, the ship called 'romance' will continue sailing to the end. Although - there will be many surprises, twists and turns, even on the love boat - so prepare yourselves for the unexpected!

Also, we are going to be meeting some very important new faces. We're going to the Elven Temple after all, so we are going to meet some special new Elves. :)

But in addition to Elves, we'll be meeting some new 'gods'. As Queen of the Gods, Lilith's family will be growing too. And along with that, some startling new revelations! One in particular as you get further into it - that is going to blow your mind. :) So be ready for the unexpected there, too.

One more tidbit - by now you should already know that I've been trying to provide pictures for all of our characters. By the time we reach the end, I am hoping I'll have them all covered. In this outing for example, we finally have our first pictures of Protector Jake and Edwina! Those two - now THAT's a romantic plot point that's been a long time in development, hasn't it? And our first pics of Cassi's mother Lydia and even Hector. And Marcy and Ashara! We finally have our first pics of them! And then the big one. Finally, after all this time, we have the man himself: our first real picture of King Arthur. So that should be something special to look forward to.

There will actually be a lot of unexpected surprises in this adventure. And this one will pull at your heartstrings a little bit on occasion - especially as we learn more about these characters whom we've come to love. I've been hearing from many of you how Valeria has become a huge fan favorite; and rightfully she should be - she is a very special character. I assure you some interesting things will be happening with her, too. But overall, this is going to be a fun one. So much so, that I might even go so far as to say that QUEST Part 3 has become one of my personal favorites. :) I hope you'll enjoy it too.

Let's enter in once again, into the wonderful world of Camelot.

~ Prologue ~

The Mysterious Isle of Avalon

Avalon

No. You may not pass.

~ Resurgence ~

Chapter 1

The door to the Captain's cabin suddenly burst open and Kiana entered in with a desperate look in her eyes, followed closely behind by Laurel who looked just as nervous. And as Kiana looked around, her worst fears were realized.

Cassi's pictures and music were spread out all over the floor.

And Cassi was nowhere to be seen.

NO!!! Kiana groaned in heart-wrenching agony, as she dropped to her knees and began to wail in grief. SHE DID IT AGAIN!!!

Chapter 2

And then ... a moment later, Cassi stepped out from behind the changing panel as she was buttoning up the front of her new clean black dress. Did what again?

GASP! CASSI! You are still here!!

And even Laurel was impressed at how fast Kiana leaped up to race across the room in almost blurring speed to throw her arms around her in grateful thanksgiving, nearly knocking her over in the process.

Kiana! Cassi laughed. If you wanted another Christmas kiss, all you had to do was ask.

Oh, ha ha, very funny. Kiana chuckled, fighting back the tears. Cassi, I thought I had lost you again!

Kiana, you're squishing me.

Oh! Sorry!

And as Kiana finally released her strong squishing grip of her charge, Cassi gave her a tender smile and said, Have you forgotten my promise to you, already? I am never going to leave you. Ever. A promise is a promise.

Of course I have not forgotten; but you have this way of being sneaky. You always have some workaround. You made a similar promise to Megan, but that didn't stop you from leaving.

But I always came back to the point where I left! Or least I always tried to; so that she would not experience being alone. Sometimes I kind of ... uhm ... misjudged the timing a little...

EXACTLY! That's my whole point!

Kiana, it's different with you.

How is it any different!?

Then ... Kiana caught herself, and calmed herself. She took a deep breath, and then apologized, saying Sorry. I am probably sounding a little insecure, aren't I?

Cassi smiled at her for a moment. And then turned her head towards Laurel to say, We are all good here. Would you mind giving us a private moment?

Laurel shook her head at her and chided, Of course I don't mind. You know - I thought it was stressful keeping an eye on Christopher; he gets so lost in his thoughts sometimes that sometimes he gets lost. But compared to his mother? Now I see I have it easy. Kiana, you sure have your hands full with this one.

Kiana chuckled and nodded. That I do.

Glad it's not what you thought it was. said Laurel. I'll uh ... I'll go look for Christopher, now; he and Galahad have been gone too long as it is.

Thank you for watching the door, Laurel. Cassi replied.

Anytime. Laurel then turned to leave the cabin ... then suddenly she turned back around and said, Wait ... did you say 'Christmas kiss'?

Kiana sighed and closed her eyes, shaking her head.

And Cassi smiled at Laurel and explained, We have only told Megan so far, but Anna gave Kiana and I a special gift - where we shared this Christmas dream vision from the future. And in it, we received this ... uhm ... far away 'voice message' from my ... uhm ... 'niece', who said to give her Aunt Kiana a kiss for her. So ... uhm ... yea.

Laurel chuckled. Got it; sorry wasn't trying to be nosy. And Anna is amazing, isn't she?

Kiana gave her a knowing smirk. Yes you were. And yes, she is.

Laurel laughed. Okay, I'm off to find Christopher. Hopefully he hasn't been mobbed by girl Pirates. Uh ... you don't happen to have girl pirates on your ship, do you?

Cassi eyes widened in alarm. Uh...

And now Laurel's eyes widened. Uh oh. Bye! And with that, Laurel spun around and rushed out the door, closing it behind her.

Looking back at Kiana, Cassi asked, So I am a handful, now?

Kiana chuckled. She is not quoting me. I have never said anything like that to anyone. But between you and me? Yes, you kind of are. she teased. You are always full of surprises, I never know what you are going to do next.

Cassi looked at her thoughtfully for a moment, and then replied, Kiana, my promise to you was different than my promise to Megan. I had told her I would never leave her alone. To you ... I said I would never leave you; ever. There is a difference; and I meant what I said. If I was to ever go off anywhere - even folding time and space to somewhere or some 'when', I would take you with me. That was, and will always be, my promise to you.

Kiana studied her for a moment. And then replied, First of all, I appreciate that; I really do. That means more to me than you will ever know. But I am more concerned about the second part - Cassi, how do you know about folding time and space? You are not supposed to be able to remember that. Have you gotten your memories back?

Now Cassi wasn't ready to reveal to anyone that she had overheard the private conversation between Valeria and Muriel, earlier - where she had learned for the first time of the heartbreaking and unpleasant details about Valeria's lifelong condition. And she had learned how she herself had accidentally created a mystical portal doorway over on the Isle of Avalon which had lead to a different world - evidently by a process known as 'folding time and space'. And that Piper's mother was named Avalon (whom the mysterious Isle itself had apparently been originally named after), and that Avalon had been missing for a very long time; which was why Piper had never met her birthmother. For the time being, Cassi was keeping all of that new knowledge and information to herself, like she had a habit of doing with so many other things. However it was the learning of all of those things and the startling implications that they represented, that had prompted Cassi to immediately return to her cabin and pictures in an attempt to learn as much as she possibly could. Of little surprise, Cassi had been determined to find answers.

In response to Kiana's question, Cassi simply replied in a subtle deflective manner without having to outright lie. I cannot get memories back that no longer exist. Anna erased those memories, with the intention that they cannot be restored.

Kiana narrowed her eyes at her suspiciously. I know you well enough to know there is more going on here than you are telling me. You were studying all of your pictures and music. Those pictures are the story of your life, are they not? In your mind, are they not a form of a personal diary? Tell me the truth, Cassi; please answer me honestly. What is your objective? What are you planning?

Cassi looked at her for a long time, struggling with coming up with the right wording.

Kiana nodded. I knew it. You want your powers back, don't you?

Cassi looked down, unable to respond.

Kiana then said, Can I tell you another promise you gave me? Just before your memories were erased?

Looking back up at her, Cassi said, I made you another promise?

Yes you did. While you were laid up in the sick bay, I was explaining to you, that if you really love someone, you don't keep secrets from them.

Cassi blinked at her several times.

And then to Kiana's surprise, Cassi replied, Okay. I promise. Again.

Kiana smiled at her. That was easy. I couldn't believe you would be so quick to respond that way, before. And now here you are, responding just as quickly this time? It would seem when I put things to you in a specific way you can understand, it makes all the difference in the world with you. I will need to learn to choose my words more carefully in the future, apparently.

I do love you, Kiana. That's the difference.

I know. I love you, too. So ... no more secrets between us?

No more secrets.

Kiana nodded in satisfaction. Good. Then everything about our Protector-Seed relationship is how it should be.

Cassi solemnly nodded.

Then Kiana frowned. Then why am I more nervous, now; than ever before? Looking Cassi in the eye, she then asked, Just how many secret plans do you have going inside that convoluted head of yours, anyway?

Cassi grinned at her sheepishly.

And Kiana sighed. What have I gotten myself into?

Shall we begin with order of execution?

Kiana crossed her arms and replied, I am listening. What are you planning to do first?

First, I need to go speak with Valeria. Then when we reach Stirlingshire in a few hours, I need to let my mother know I am still alive; and then after your Coronation at the Temple, we're going to Camelot for some really big weddings ... and I think maybe a concert? At least according to one picture; and I even think I've already got most of the music written for it. And then we need to go find Piper's mother, and while we're doing that we need to make sure we put some extra guards on Gwydre and then we need to locate the central base of...

Kiana raised her eyebrow. Wait, wait, wait, slow down; you are losing me already. Back up to Valeria. Why?

Because I wish to barter an exchange. I can help her with her problem, and she can help me with mine.

Why am I getting a sick scary feeling in the pit of my stomach about where you are going with this?

Because you are not going to like this plan.

Kiana groaned. Do I ever like your plans?

Okay, so here is what I propose...

Wait! Kiana interrupted. Before I have a heart attack from this plan of yours - now that Megan isn't here, one of these days we need to talk about that Christmas kiss.

Cassi grinned. I was just keeping a promise!

Cassi...

It was Christmas! The season of giving!

Uh huh.

We kind of have a lot going on right now, Kiana. How about we talk about it in a century or two?

Fine; but one of these days, we WILL talk about it.