For visually challenged writers, the image shows bright pinkish-red trumpet-shaped plants
“Ouch! That’s exactly what I hate about these medieval shoes!” Merlin winged as he landed.
“No sympathy hun, you insisted on being authentic” Morgana laughed making little quote marks in his face. “Personally I find my old Doc Martin’s serve me well, even in medieval times. If anyone asks why they are so strange I just say they are made in France.”
“Damn that hurts ” Merlin had stepped on another stone. Losing her temper Morgana snapped at him “Will you man up, you baby! It’s your own vanity’s fault that you are walking round in what is basically fancy leather socks! “
They had landed in a long and dank passage with earth floors. They checked Merlin’s notes and after checking their barings they head towards a set of steps. Morgana took two torches out of her bag and handed one to Merlin.
As they reached the top steps they checked to see if they were still alone. “Okay” said Morgana “torches out and remember who you are”
“Yes I am a Lord Failin and you my little pretty are my harlot” Merlin replied pinching Morgan’s bottom ” Smiling she looked Merlin in the eye stamped firmly on his foot. “Watch where you put your hand hun ” Merlin bitterly regretted only having soft leather shoes on.
Merlin and Morgana made their way through the castle it was very odd, no guards or servants anywhere . “It’s like the Marie Celeste” said Morgana ” and I would know because I was on that ship.”
Merlin cleared his throat and said “Right we need to find the Queen’s appartment she is the one seeking our help.” Morgana delved into her bag again and took out a map of the castle. “Ah!” She said here we are up a floor first on the left just as I remember”
As they entered the Queen’s chamber they were shocked to see a terrified Guinevere hiding behind a chair by the fire.
“Who are you sir and why do you dare to enter my chambers?” Asked the Guinevere .
“I am Lord Failin your majesty and I am here to help you. Now I have been told that all the servants and soldiers are either intoxicated or ill.” Said Merlin giving her a flourishing bow as he did.
“You both look familiar have we met before? ” Asked Guinevere.
Morgana smiled at her and replied, “Maybe my queen but in another life” “Hush harlot don’t confuse matters, hush now my queen sleep”
Guinevere fell into a gentle sleep immediately. “Not lost your touch yet” muttered Morgana.
As they left the Queen’s chambers the smell of vomit and diarrhea suddenly become stronger, as they advanced they found servants, guards, nobles and ladies in varying stages of sickness …some were not sick but so drunk that they were incapable of speach or standing up!
“I think I know what this is ” Morgana announced “We need to check the kitchen right now.”
The kitchen was the same as everwhere else, sleeping bodies, drunk and confused children and a lot of mess. Merlin looked around and saw himself asleep in the corner….what a good-looking chap I am he thought to himself!
Morgana made him jump coming in from the kitchen garden “I have found the culprit, *Rododendrom as we know the nectar is posionious!”
“Indeed” replied Merlin “But who has done this, I don’t remember any sneak attacks undertaken when the castle was …..err… under the influence do you?”… “No but I do remember you mentioning you had got annoyed with Arthur and decided to spice things up a tad…. Looking at your former self there in the corner you must of tried tad too much of the mead! “
Merlin looked on sheepishly….”Don’t just stand there Hun you’ve got a lot of cleaning up to do before day break and this lot awake to the mother of all hangovers! “
Looking horrified Merlin asked, “And what are you going to do”
Morgana sat on a near by stool and lit a cigarette. ” After this hun I am going to find some wine….. certainly not mead and have a catch up with Guinevere.” She replied throwing a handy mop in his direction!
This is part of K.L Caley’s#writephoto.
*The toxins responsible for the poisonous effects of Rhododendron are grayanotoxins. These are highly oxygentated diterpenoids that have been presumed to be produced elsewhere in the plant as a natural chemical defence against insects.
Azalea/Rhododendron: (Rhododendron spp) Highly poisonous to cats and dogs and cows even if just a few leaves are eaten. Daffodil: (Narcissus) All parts of the daffodil are harmful. Dogs sometimes eat the bulbs, but even a small bite can kill a small animal.
Effects. Rhododendron toxicity is rarely fatal to humans, and symptoms usually last no more than 24 hours. It results in short-term gastrointestinal and cardiac problems, and the severity depends on the amount of honey or nectar ingested.
Grayanotoxins are produced by Rhododendron species and other plants in the family Ericaceae. Honey made from the nectar and so containing pollen of these plants also contains grayanotoxins and is commonly referred to as mad honey.
