It's the middle of the night in Camelot, and I don't know of anyone who could be sleeping right now, especially not me. Father had decided to hunt for treasure beneath the castle at all hours of the day. I appreciate building the wealth of the kingdom, but not at the expense of sleep. Maybe he was sleeping through this—even though the diggers were far below me, their work could still be heard up several floors up.
"Merlin." I got out of bed. "Merlin!" If I couldn't sleep, he wouldn't either. Sharing is caring.
He came running. "Yes, Sire?"
"Are you deaf?"
His annoyingly cheerful grin faded, "I wish." I was referring to his delay in arrival, but his answer worked for both.
"I need you to go down there and order them to cease and desist."
"But they're working under the King's direction." I'm aware of that.
"Yes, and you're working under mine." I turned and fell back onto my bed as he left the room. If Father was sleeping through this, no one would dare wake him to check that I wasn't following his orders.
xxxXxxx
The next day, Father and I visited the treasure-filled tomb that had been unearthed by those noisy diggers. I'd asked Gaius and Merlin to visit us there. This had better be worth the loss of sleep and life. Naturally Merlin had returned soon after he'd left, to tell me about the tomb and dead digger. Even though it had been quiet after that, I had trouble falling asleep.
Father kept up a running dialogue about what he expected to find and what we needed to do to protect it. We got to the doorway and I heard a metallic thud. Probably Merlin dropped something. Father stepped through the entryway first, still talking. A plate rolled to a stop at his feet. Merlin looked guilty; I appeared to be right.
". . . secured at all times," he finished saying to me, then looked at Merlin. "Idiot." Yep.
I stepped through the entry and walked by the idiot, "Are you naturally clumsy or do you work at it?"
He flashed me that goofy smile of his, "It's just one of my numerous talents."
Father and I walked deeper into the tomb, fascinated. "Well this is quite a discovery. You see, Gaius, I was correct. There are riches to recover under Camelot. Which of my ancestors do I have to thank for all this?" Gaius didn't respond right away, so he tried again, "Gaius?"
"Uh, I'd have to look into it, Sire." He looked and sounded distracted. I could clearly see why.
Father walked close enough to the tomb to see the unfortunate digger. "How did he die?"
"He seems to have unintentionally set off a trap here."
There's only one reason for a trap in this tomb. "To discourage grave robbers," I said.
"Well there's enough in here people might want to appropriate. Have them secure the tomb. Protecting it is your responsibility, Arthur," Father replied.
"Yes, Father." Of course it's my responsibility.
xxxXxxx
This next day was guaranteed to be a good one—I was going hunting! I waited for Merlin at the foot of the steps in the main square. He had the rest of my equipment and I was running behind already. I saw him near the doors. "Hurry up, Merlin."
"Sorry." He rushed down the stairs to kneel on all fours beside my horse. He made a good stepstool, if nothing else. I mounted the horse only to slide off on the other side. Clearly the girth wasn't secured. I hit the cobblestones with an "oof!" To add insult to injury, my horse trotted away.
"Merlin!" The only one there was to blame.
"I don't understand." He looked as surprised as I felt. I'm not buying that.
"Well, there's a surprise." Hardly.
"I did that girth up myself." Apparently not!
"Well, I think that might have been the problem!"
"It wasn't my fault." Riiiiight. Denial will get you nowhere.
"Would you like me to fit the girth properly for you, Sire?" A stranger asked. We turned to look at him. He'd gone after my horse and led him back.
"Thank you."
He gave a small bow and replied, "It's an honor to be of service to the Prince."
I was impressed. I turned to look pointedly at Merlin. "An honor. Do you hear that Merlin?"
The stranger took out a brush. "Allow me the honor of brushing your clothes down."
I couldn't believe this guy! I whispered to Merlin, "The honor." He looked at me, dubious.
"Anything else I can do for you, sir?" This was too good.
"Well, you can give Merlin here a kick up the backside." I was only half joking. Merlin looked like he was biting his tongue for once.
The stranger chuckled. "I wouldn't wish to deprive you of the pleasure, sir." I liked this guy! He may be a bit too anxious to please, but genial enough. Unlike some servants.
"Ha! What's your name?"
"Cedric. I've come to Camelot in search of work."
Well, he'd get it. "Good. You can be a beater on the hunt." I walked away to re-mount my horse. "We're short of a man or two."
"You're too kind, Sire."
I saw Merlin bend over to reach a stick. "Here. You'll need a beater." He shoved it into Cedric's stomach, causing the man to double over. "Oh, sorry," he said insincerely. Ah, so he was jealous of the attention I'd given Cedric. Good. Now he had reason enough to improve his attitude and performance.
xxxXxxx
We'd finally made it to the woods. I walked stealthily, spear in hand. The beaters were spread out in a line a few feet behind me. I heard movement ahead of us and stopped the line. Suddenly a giant boar burst through the bushes, just a few yards away. I heard Cedric inhale deeply as I readied my spear. Others backed away through the bushes behind us. The monster ran closer and I hurled the spear, only to see it glance off the side. I crouched down, preparing to wrestle it if needed. All of a sudden, a spear flew by me and lodged in the side of the beast. It collapsed heavily to the ground.
I walked forward to examine it. A thought struck me and I whipped around to ask, "Who threw that?"
I looked several men in the face, silently questioning them. Finally I heard a small cough. "Ahem." Cedric.
I turned to him. "Was it you?" He shrugged and made a noncommittal noise. "You just saved my life."
"Truly, Sire, it was nothing." Oh too modest. Nevertheless . . .
"I shall always be in your debt. You must be repaid."
"No, I couldn't." Properly deferential, but I won't be denied.
"Come on. What would you like?"
"I want just one thing, Sire."
"Anything."
"A post in the royal household."
"Good. Consider it done." I glanced at Merlin. He looked baffled and a tiny bit resentful. "Ha-ha!"
"Here, take this back," I heard Cedric say, presumably to Merlin. That was followed by the sound of wood hitting flesh and an "Oof!"
The last thing I heard as I walked back to my prize was Cedric saying, "Oh, sorry," insincerely. Payback is a bear!
xxxXxxx
The next morning I woke up to the sound of Cedric entering the room with breakfast. He greeted me genially, sat the tray on the table and opened the curtains. Merlin was nowhere to be seen, of course. He was late as usual, while Cedric appeared early by merely being on time. So far this wasn't much of a competition. He helped me dress then stood by while I sat down to eat, occasionally serving various dishes. That's when the door opened again to reveal the world's laziest servant. I was going to have so much fun with this.
"Is that lunch?" I asked him while his back was still turned.
"No, it's breakfas . . ." He replied, halting when he saw what Cedric was doing. Oh the look on his face!
Perfect time to compliment Cedric, "This is splendid, Cedric." Merlin finally closed his mouth, but pulled off looking dumbfounded and incensed at the same time.
Merlin tried again, "Is there anything else that needs to be done, Sire?"
"No, I believe Cedric's got it all dealt with." More than adequately, in fact.
Cedric looked thoughtful for a few seconds then said, "Oh, I apologize, Sire, there is one task I neglected to do. Uh, muck out your horses." I could see him and Merlin shooting irritated looks at each other. Ha!
"Off you go," I directed at Merlin.
"I'll get the door for you." Ever polite, Cedric crossed the room to open the door. I continued my breakfast, laughing internally at their interaction. I could already tell this would be a highly amusing day, if nothing else.
xxxXxxx
I was conversing with a guard in the lower town when we suddenly heard hoof beats and whinnying.
"Sire!" the guard yelled, and pointed behind me. I turned around to find all my horses running unrestrained through the town. People jumped frantically out of the way. I tried to grasp the reins of the first but quickly decided it wasn't worth the trampling I'd get. I stared, frustrated as the rest ran past. There could only be one person responsible for this mess, and he was about to get an earful.
I took my time walking to the stables. That way I had time to build my furious lecture. I entered to find the world's most exhausted servant asleep on the hay, his face resting on . . . something unsavory. I walked right up to him, crouching next to his head. He stirred and started when he looked into my face. I smirked at him and he backed away.
"Sire!" Yep, that's me, well done.
"What are you doing?" No getting out of this one.
"Nothing." He stood up then, looking very confused
"I can see that."
"I wasn't napping. I was, I was just bending over." He looked around, dazed.
"Trying to find something."
"Yes?" He seemed unsure.
I stood up. "Maybe we're trying to find the same thing."
"What?" Did someone drug him? This is way too confused, even for him.
"Oh, I don't know—the horses!" Enough Mister Nice Guy.
"The hor-ses. Oh!"
"One blunder I can deal with." I got right in his face. "Everyone has an off day once in a while, but this is one thing after another!" He looked ready to tear his hair out in exasperation. Or maybe he'd gotten a migraine; I know the feeling.
"I—I don't understand what happened!" I'm starting to think the confusion may not be an act, but it's no excuse either. Cedric stepped into the entrance.
"Sire. Please, Sire, don't be too rough on him. He's a fine servant, he simply . . . he's tired." Merlin threw him a disgusted look.
"I am not!"
"Perhaps . . . perhaps if he had the evening off . . ."
"I don't need the evening off." Things were heating up between them now. I glanced between them.
"A decent night's rest . . ."
"I didn't go to sleep!" Merlin yelled. He was being out-maneuvered.
"I'm more than prepared to assume his tasks tonight." That was magnanimous of him.
"Maybe you're right," I agreed.
"No." Merlin stuck his finger in my face. Oh no he didn't.
"Shut up, Merlin." If he knew what was good for him, he'd do it.
"Can't you see what he's trying to do? He's trying to get rid of me, and if you weren't such a clotpole, you'd see that!" Apparently not. Wait, what?
"A what?" I said in my dangerous tone.
He'd clammed up so Cedric answered for him, "Clotpole. He, he said clotpole." What kind of insult was that?!
I'd had it. Instead of yelling I decided to stay menacingly quiet. "Cedric's right. He can take care of me tonight. You can go to bed and consider whether you want to be my servant or not."
"But . . ." That's all he got out.
"Go." If you know what's good for you, and even if you don't, idiot. Cedric brushed off his jacket and handed it to him. With a sigh and a glance at me, Merlin stomped out of the stable.
What was his issue with Cedric anyway? Sure, he was kind of a bootlicker, but Merlin could stand to learn a thing or two from him. He's always asking for time off, so he should be grateful for this opportunity. But no. Trying to understand his motivation would give me a headache, so I gave up for the day.
xxxXxxx
I woke up this morning to notice my key to the tomb was missing. Only three people had access to it. I was sleeping of course, and Gaius confirmed Merlin stayed in his room all night. Cedric, however, was missing. I asked the former two to meet me at the tomb. The door was opened and several treasures were missing or misplaced. "Sound the warning bell," I said to the guards standing outside. I walked out to get a search going, leaving Gaius and Merlin to investigate.
Someone had gotten into the tomb, stolen items then fled. And if Gaius was to be believed, the owner of the tomb, Cornelius Sigan, had somehow come back to life. Sigan was a powerful sorcerer who supposedly promised to wreak havoc upon Camelot when he returned. I didn't know what to believe, but I knew Father would be angry until we found the thief.
xxxXxxx
I'd just gotten back to my chambers to finish some piled-up paperwork when Merlin strode through the door looking like he'd eaten something sour. Now what did he want to complain about?
He stopped right in front of me before saying seriously, "Cedric is controlled by an evil spirit."
"What?" I knew he didn't like the guy, but this is far-fetched, even for him. I was dumbfounded.
"He tried to take the jewel, but it wasn't a jewel, it was the soul of Sigan, the ancient sorcerer." Maybe he'd taken the dismissal a little too seriously last night and spent some time in the tavern.
"Merlin, have you been on the cider?" That just agitated him more, but he wasn't making sense.
"Please, listen to me. Camelot is in terrible danger. Sigan is using Cedric's body to exact his revenge."
Incredible. He was so desperate he came up with this lunatic story? "This gibberish isn't helping you retain your job."
"You're not listening to me!" He yelled. Wait, he yelled at me? I am done with him. I stood.
"You're going to yell anyway? Cedric!" The man walked in the door. "Will you conduct Merlin from the castle?" Then Merlin lost it completely—he launched himself at Cedric, tackling him to the floor. They promptly started grappling and shoving each other.
"Ah!" Cedric choked out. Time to intervene. I started walking toward them, feeling a headache building.
"Merlin," I said in a futile attempt to stop them. But Cedric threw Merlin over his body and right into mine. I crashed painfully to the floor. Merlin got up and Cedric dived under the bed. Naturally Merlin had to follow him there. I got up to stop him. Cedric popped out and up on the opposite side. I started over there as well. When Merlin crawled out I tackled him to the floor.
"Ah!" Merlin yelled. I restrained his arms behind his back and shook him; I was beyond furious.
"You've gone too far this time, Merlin! You will spend a few days cooling off in the dungeon! Guards!" I shoved him out the door and waited for guards to come assist me. We wrestled him to the dungeon and threw him in a cell. Before I stomped off, I heard him yell:
"He'll demolish Camelot!"
He sounded completely serious. He actually believed the outlandish story he'd fed me. It was so out of character for him to act like this though. He was obviously at odds with Cedric, but this seemed like something more than jealousy. Hopefully he'd calm down so we could talk rationally. I'd have to talk to Gaius when I got a chance; maybe he had an idea about what's wrong.
xxxXxxx
It was after dark when guards brought me reports of awful winged creatures flying in and around Camelot. Several people had seen them land and growl menacingly, showing long sharp claws and pointed teeth. I suited up in armor and went to confer with Father, who'd sent for me. I met him in the hall on the way to the council chamber. He shoved the doors open.
"I don't know what this monster is or where it's come from." Well if we did, we'd know how to fight them.
"There's more than one, Father. We've had numerous reports. There's panic in the lower town. People are running away from the city," I replied.
"Then you must pursue these monsters and destroy them." Well of course.
"Yes, Sire." I took the two knights behind me and ran down the hall. On my way out, I heard several screams and vicious growls. I ran to a window and threw it open. People were running everywhere, and just below me I saw one of the creatures stalking people. Suddenly one flew right at my window and I fell back to avoid it. I shut the window and resumed running.
Several knights had joined me on my run through the castle, so by the time I got outside I had a good-sized group. We formed up and charged the nearest creature. We got several jabs in but it was felling my men faster than we could attack. It was time for a new strategy. "Regroup! Low fight!" I yelled to the remaining men.
We reformed and crouched, shields in front, and crept forward to attack. Unfortunately that didn't work very well either and even more men went down. I started slashing it on my own, but it was fast and its skin was like stone. It had me on my back and I lay there stunned for a few minutes—until another one flew down at me from the parapet. Suddenly I found myself moving backwards, somehow avoiding it. Looking up, I saw Guinevere of all people. She'd pulled me out of the way.
"Guinevere?" I said in stunned disbelief. What was she doing out here?
"Sire," she replied, distracted. I lumbered to my feet.
"That monster could've killed you."
Her eyes suddenly widened. "And it still might!" She said as she abruptly tackled me to the ground, and landed on top of me, saving my life again. "Sorry, Sire," she blushed. Why did she apologize? I had a nice view of her . . . face.
"No. My pleasure." I mentally slapped myself upside the head. I was being completely honest because why? Oh, I'd had the sense knocked out of me, literally. That was it, yeah.
The creature continued to circle overhead as we got up and ran into the castle. Gwen took my arm and led me to the Great Hall, where Gaius sets up his temporary hospital in times of crisis. Like now. We walked to a table and I sat on it heavily, grunting in pain. Those claws cut right through chain mail. Gwen bent down to get a look at the wound.
"I'll get you something to stop the bleeding," she said, and turned to walk away. I looked at her, speechless. I knew I needed to thank her somehow, but those were words I hardly ever had to say. Usually I did the saving and was thanked, so I was uncomfortable with this reverse situation.
"Guinevere," I called out. She stopped and turned. "I wanted to say . . . just, uh . . . you always surprise me." That was even harder than I'd thought. But she smiled, so I guess I did all right. Except for the gratitude part.
"Is that it, Sire?" She suddenly looked anxious to complete her task.
"That's it." She turned around to leave again. Darn, why is this so hard? One more time—"Oh," she turned around again, "and uh . . . thank you." She nodded her head in acknowledgement. Damn, she was so beautiful in that moment. Why hadn't I noticed before?
I watched her walk away and come back. She sat her materials next to me and I heard Father call my name.
"Arthur." He'd walked over to me and looked at my wound, concern etched on his face.
"It's nothing," I replied in answer to his unasked question. Morgana had come over to assist Gwen.
Down to business. "Have we forced the monsters out?"
"They dominate the lower town. The market has been all but obliterated." He turned abruptly, as if he was dreading the news.
"How many lost?
"Too many to count." He turned back around. I could see in his eyes that he'd made a difficult decision.
"I'm closing up the citadel."
"You can't!" I gasped out in shock. All the survivors would be left out there with those creatures. They'd be ripped apart!
"I have no other option. I have to safeguard those who stand a chance. If I don't, we're all finished. Where are you going?" I'd pushed the girls' hands away and risen to my feet.
"There are people caught on the drawbridge."
"I forbid you." I started walking away.
"I won't allow them to die."
Father followed me and grabbed my shoulder to stop me. I turned to face him as he said, "It's suicide!"
I was incensed he'd had the nerve to stop me. "It's my duty to Camelot! And to myself!" And with that I turned again and left the room, drawing many uninjured knights with me.
We made our way outside and to the drawbridge without incident. There we halted and surveyed the scene. Bodies littered the area; none were moving. "Look for survivors," I instructed. Then we heard that screechy growl behind us. We whipped around to meet the creature. It flew overhead and landed in front of us. "On me!" I yelled, then, "Charge!" And we ran forward to engage it.
It stalked forward angrily. Suddenly another flew down from nowhere, landed on a knight, and lifted him in the air. At his cry we turned to look. He screamed but we could do nothing—the other creature was still in front of us. Luckily Sir Geraint had turned forward again.
"Arthur!" It had leaped forward and I was unprepared for its slashing hand. I went down, stunned. I distantly heard him again, "Arthur!" and "Retreat!" Then the sound of running men and, "Regroup in the square!" I forced myself up and followed the knights into the square, staying on guard by walking backwards. I heard him say, "Arthur? Arthur? Arthur?!" Then a creature dropped down to land between me and the group of knights. It swiveled to face them.
"Save yourselves!" I yelled. "That's an order!"
Sir Geraint didn't waste any time, "Retreat! Retreat!" They all ran into the castle while I prepared to face the creature again.
I hacked and hacked at it, but didn't gain any advantage. I heard rubble falling in the castle and a few screams. Then the creature backhanded me and I fell, mercifully blacking out before I hit the ground.
xxxXxxx
After a decent night's rest, with what was left of the night, I woke up much later than normal and threw on some clothes—I really can dress myself, ha! Father had sealed Sigan's tomb, because evidently Gaius and Merlin were right. Apparently Sigan's spirit seeped out of a jewel when Cedric tried to take it. The spirit took over Cedric's body and brought the castle's gargoyles to life in order to destroy us. But he was driven out and recaptured somehow; the jewel went back into the tomb. I guess all those treasures weren't worth the trouble.
Since Cedric was out of commission it seemed I had a vacancy in the armor polishing department, and I had to fill it. I made my way down to Gaius's chambers to see a man about the job. Good thing I'd forgiven him and he was out of the dungeon. I knocked and let myself in, walking to the table where Merlin sat.
"I came to see Merlin. I've not forgotten about your idle, impudent ways, or the fact that you dubbed me a 'clot pole,' but I do have to confess that there was some truth in your allegations against Cedric."
He flashed me his huge grin and said, "Does this imply you're admitting that in this case I was actually correct?" I supposed that I asked for that.
I pretended to mull over his statement. "Not really, no. It implies that I have a knighthood to confer first thing tomorrow and no one to polish my armor." I dumped my sack of armor on the table in front of him. He looked surprised and disgusted at the same time.
"All that?" I may forgive but I don't forget.
"Yep." I threw the sack in his face then turned around and left. The look on his face would sustain my need for amusement for a good few hours at the very least. And my armor would be clean. It's good to be the prince.