Standing at the shore of the waters the Lady of the
Lake calls home, Evelyne hesitates. The Lady is an
unpredictable spirit. She might help her. Might use
her magic and skill to save her Master.
It is also just as likely she will drag Evelyne into
the water and drown her. She swallows hard at the
thought, knowing that if she wanted her dead, there
would be nothing to stop her. Evelyne is but an
Apprentice, and though Merlin has trained her well,
she is not skilled enough to stop an Elemental.
Fear shivers through Evelyne but she shunts it aside
and drops to her knees. Fear is not her Master. Merlin
is, and he bid her to come here for help. There is no
choice but to obey. If she does not take on this task,
and succeed, both Avalon and Merlin will be lost.
She breathes deep, composing her erratic emotions.
"Merlin has sent me, Lady."
There is no response other than a gentle lapping of
the water against the shore. "Lady," she whispers.
"Please. We need your help."
The lake ripples, trembles, and the Lady of the Lake
rises from the water. Ethereal, slender as a reed and
with hair that shimmers and moves as if touched by an
unseen current, there is a surprising humanity about
her. She quirks a pale eyebrow in at Evelyne.
"Who is it that dares ask me for help?" she asks,
her voice low and resonant like wind skipping across
the waves."
Evelyne senses a power about her. A magic that is not
learned but simply is. "I am the Apprentice to Merlin.
My Master is kidnapped. Taken. By Morganna."
Her green eyes narrow. "Morganna," she frowns, and
her translucent gown whips around her ankles as if
reflecting an inner fury she dare not release.
Taking one of three runes in hand, Evelyne holds it
out for the Lady to see. "Before he disappeared,
Merlin said you would know how to use these.

The Lady stares at the stones and for a heartbeat,
you are unsure if she will assist.
"You would have me use my magic?"
"Please."
The Lady hesitates then shakes her head. 
"I cannot"
Evelyne gasps as her refusal. 
"Then Avalon will fall to Morganna."
The Lady continues. "but it is within your power
to find the runes of Avalon and stop Morganna."
"Me?"
She nods. "Though you still have much to learn, you
have greater powers than you realize." She lays a cool
hand on her sternum and Evelyne's heart pounds hard
against her palm. "In here." She touches her forehead.
"And here."
For a moment, she feels the strength the Lady sees and
wonders if it might be true, but Evelyne does not know
how she alone is to find the magical, hidden runes.

"Use the runes to guide you," she replies, answering
the unspoken question. "Prove to them you are their
master and they will lead you on your journey."
She nods, unwilling to admit her uncertainty.
"Very well Apprentice," she laughs. The lady whispers
a word and a wave of magic washes over you. When the
wave dissipates, you see that she holds a new rune in
her delicate hand. This one glows with a pure, white
light. "Take this," she places the rune in Evelyne's
palm, and closes her fingers over it. Imbued with her
magic, it burns like an ember against her skin, but
she keeps her fist closed.
Before she can thank her, the Lady sinks beneath
the waves.
