Chapter Text
Kamer
calikocat
word count: 1577
Disclaimer: I own nothing, except Kamer as he's an original character.
A/N: Okay, so I've deviated from canon so much that Hercules has no need to go gallivanting around the world mad with grief. So instead of him going to the Isle of Eire (Ireland), one of Lesedi's family ends up there.
XXX
In a sheltered and shadowed glen, hidden away by the earth's magic, figures in white robes gathered around a stone basin filled with clear water. The Druids of Eire. Mabon, the Druid of Knowledge and the leader, moved closer to the stone basin. His youthful features hid his ancient age well, he looked like a child but was one of the oldest druids.
Around him the others gathered, peering into the stone basin, the water in it showing views beyond Eire's borders and shores. The Druid of Faith, Deirdre, looked like a young woman with dark hair. The Druid of Tolerance, Ecne, looked like a bald middle-aged man. The Druid of Innocence, Canola, was an older woman with curling hair. The Druid of Mercy, Creidhne, was an average man with dark hair. The old Druid of Justice, Builg, moved slowly, his life force waning. His death was imminent. He was the reason they had gathered; another would need to take his place soon.
They peered into the water, there was change in the air and it was reflected in the water's depths. At one time the Greek hero, Hercules, would have been their chosen one. However, things have been set in motion. The prayers of the Goddess Aphrodite and the God Hephaestus have been answered. The dragon known as Joxer the Good and the dragon mage Lesedi had helped free Iolaus from Hera's curse. He and Hercules were now bonded for all time.
The guardians were on the move, agents of Dahak had been thwarted and defeated in Britannia and Sumeria. Another guardian was being sent to change the Morrigan's ways and to free her from Kernunnos.
“Do you think it is better this way?” Ecne asked.
“It is.” Builg smiled. “Not only will Morrigan be free, she'll have a guardian at her side for the rest of her life.”
A shadow descended from the top of the cliffs and gently landed near them. The shadow shifted its form, becoming a woman. Badb, the Eire Goddess of War. “Sorry I'm late.”
“My Lady.” Creidhne offered her a small bow. They didn't exactly get along, Badb was a creature of war, but she loved her daughter and granddaughter.
It’s because of that love that she couldn't directly oppose Kernunnos, as he held Brigid captive. His own daughter, the daughter he had with The Morrigan. Badb's granddaughter. Still, as a creature of war, she'd rather the people of Eire fight together against outsiders than fight amongst themselves.
“From war comes the knowledge of loss and sorrow. Your sister will join you soon enough.” She reached out to ruffle Mabon's hair. “Mabon.”
He smiled at her. “Blessed be Mother.”
“You druids.” Badb rolled her eyes and shook her head. “I must go before Kernunnos finds out I've been consorting.”
“Soon we will not have to hide as much, Mother.” Mabon assured her.
“I look forward to that day son.”
xxx
Kamer frowned at the ocean below him, he'd been flying for days and he was exhausted. There weren't many places to rest, flying high above the ocean. Oh, he'd seen an occasional ship or two and had hid away on them during the night to sleep. And once or twice he'd found a bit of driftwood to nap on, or a bit of rock that stuck out of the water. Never anything big or solid enough to truly be called land.
He still had no idea why he was traveling...or where he was even going. Somewhere close to Britannia he thought. For a moment he wondered if he'd see Kilgharrah. The Old Goat, as Lesedi sometimes called him.
Gods and Guardians he really needed a nap.
xxx
Flying with fire was usually easy, especially when you've been doing so since childhood. However, there were one or two situations where it just wasn't the best idea. Such as flying over an ocean in the middle of a storm. Kamer wasn't sure which was louder, the thunder, the waves below, or the rain sizzling against his wings and steaming up the air around him.
Between the rain, and the steam he couldn't even judge how close to the ocean he was. Not until lightning lit up the sky suddenly, just in time for him to see a wave as it came crashing down to knock him out of the air.
This was not how he pictured his death.
xxx
He awoke, surprised to find himself alive, exhausted and laying on a beach. Kamer rose up and looked around him. It could the beach of any country, in any part of the world. Except for the grey waters of the ocean behind him and the coolness of the air. He might be in Britannia. Or somewhere near there.
Kamer got to his feet the second he saw a group of people approaching, coming down from a grassy hill that overlooked the beach. There were eleven of them, men and women of differing ages, three of them carrying spears. Which wasn't exactly welcoming, though none of them looked like they wanted to attack him.
Puzzled, he simply stood there and waited, and not long after a man called out. “Blessed be the earth, the wind, and sea for the gift of salvation.”
Together the others chanted. “Blessed Be.” It was an odd greeting, but at least it wasn't a violent one.
The man who was their leader came down the hill and on to the beach. “Welcome to Eire, I am Bronagh.”
Kamer blinked; the name meant nothing to him. “Is this near Britannia?”
The man frowned but nodded. “Yes.”
Well close enough, maybe it wasn't Britannia that needed him but this place, Eire. “Then this was meant to be.”
The man smiled at him. “Then you knew the druids called for you?”
Kamer shrugged. “I knew something was pulling me in this direction, I just didn't know where I was going. Or why.”
The man kept right on smiling, which was a little unnerving. “Your journey has been long and you must be tired. Come, rest. You'll need your strength.”
He wasn't wrong, Kamer was tired, he wasn't even sure he could fly away from here, or fly at all for that matter. And he was curious, a family trait. “Why will I need my strength?”
“Because you are our champion, our chosen one.”
Kamer couldn't help it, he rolled his eyes, but said nothing. It would be rude to contradict Bronagh. Ruder than rolling his eyes.
xxx
Kamer followed Bronagh, the entourage of other villagers tagging along in silence. They were still unnerving with their trusting smiles. It set his nerves on edge. They bypassed several dwellings, each one much like the other until Bronagh stopped in front of a house that felt like magic. Someone with power lived here, or was hiding here, how anyone could think otherwise must be blind.
“Mabon has been waiting a long time to meet you.” Bronagh smiled and opened the door for him. “He's inside.” Kamer nodded his thanks and stepped into the house, not looking back when he heard the door close behind him.
The house looked normal at first, until he noticed a section of floor dropped down revealing stone steps that led underground. Kamer followed the stairs to a natural looking cavern where a boy in white robes was waiting. At least, he looked like a boy, the power coming from him seemed at odds with his youthful appearance.
“You would be Mabon then?”
The boy gave him a slight bow. “Hello Kamer.”
“So, you know my name...and I'm told you sent for me?”
Mabon smiled. “Well, once before the guardians like you began to stir, I would have expected another. He, however, is happily bonded to his own guardian. A Celestial Dragon of Greece. Hercules and the Guardian Iolaus are friends of Lesedi.”
Huh. If she was on the move, world changing things must be happening. “How is she?”
“With child, the second within the last year.”
That made Kamer smile. “So, our family grows once again, I'm happy to hear it. But why did she end up in Greece. What's changed?”
“She went to Britannia first and faced off against one of Dahak's followers, once he was defeated, she traveled to Greece.”
“And do you have other news?”
“Your brother Bulut has just fought and defeated another agent of Dahak, fighting alongside Hercules and Iolaus.”
Kamer frowned now, worried. “Is he well?”
“He is, and has bonded with is soulmate, the new queen of Sumeria. Nebula.”
He grinned, happy for his brother. “That is good news, now, why do you need me. Why have I been proclaimed your champion?”
“You are weary.”
“That's an observation, not an answer. But you're not wrong.”
“Then eat and rest.” Mabon gestured to the food by the fire pit and the cot against the stone wall. “We will have much to speak of when you wake.”
“You're not going to tell me what's going on until I'm rested, are you?”
“No.”
“Alright. I suppose I'll go along with that. That storm didn't just exhaust me, it nearly killed me.”
Mabon smiled. “We will talk again in the morning.”
XXX