Okay guys, I'll come clean. Nothing has really taken up my time however I have decided that, as well as adding a new chapter (sometime in the future) I would improve the older chapters, make them a bit more engaging because they are not the greatest pieces of work are they? Any way, keep giving me prompts for a new story, I've had some great ones so far. Also, just for reference, Camelot is set when Arthur is king but before Elyan's death. It is also slightly out of the time period as I'm adding a clock tower in Camelot but, don't worry.
The bells toll for me and my death, the desperate women thought as the bells rang loudly, drowning her screams. It was midnight, according to the ringing but that was the least of her concerns; the man holding her throat was. Vulgarly, he leered at her, spit flying out if his mouth as he emitted a roar of a laugh, his second hand reaching forward and unlacing the ribbons holding her dress together. Tears spilled forward as she fruitlessly flailed and kicked her legs out, causing him to laugh harder. The dress slipped...but did not fall down. Looking down, she notice that there was a dart in her dress, pining it to the wall but neglecting to let it fall. A voice she recognised as slightly Irish echoed in the darkness. "What are you doing to this fair maiden?" Her assailant looked confused, head swinging wildly, searching for the man who disturbed his fun. Smirking slightly, he withdrew a knife from his belt and spoke with a loud, gruff voice. "Come 'ere you coward! I'll cut yer legs off!" He tried to appear intimidating but failed when an eerie laugh emerged from the seemingly never ending darkness of the alleyway. "What are you going to do with that you half-wit." The Irish voice contained a hint of humour that made the woman relax whilst smiling at the insult. However the man did not feel the same, but became angry and lunged for the woman, only to stop as a black-clad arm gripped his wrist in a bone crushing grip. The hand flicked and the man flipped, lying dazed on the floor as a shadowy figure lent over him. Everything faded to black.
Merlin jolted awake as a rather embarrassing case was brought before the king. With only his underclothes on, the balding man was dragged in, hog tied and gagged. The court burst anew, their interested re-kindled by the new visitor. "Lord Rawhide, what is the meaning of this!" Arthur shouted, addressing his captain of the guard. The slimy man just released an equally slimy smile that had Merlin almost bringing up his breakfast. "This, is, aha, Thomas Parkson, your highness. He is a, er, a suspected woman predator if you know what I mean?" Rawhide's voice was croaky and draw out. "We found him, aha, the guards that is, this morning, in an alley way. There was a woman next to him that said she had been, er , rescued from his advances but she can't say by whom." With his 'grand speech' over, Rawhide bowed low like the suck up he pretended to be before slinking away into the sidelines, alongside the other nobles. Arthur glared at the man as he whimpered and tried to flee from the kings gaze; how he hated rapists. Looking over at Merlin, he found the idiot staring at Thomas, almost bent over with laughter. He sobered instantly however as his gaze caught Arthur's and he hurried to his masters side with the wine pitcher in his hands. Whilst the court argued amongst themselves, Arthur pulled Merlin in close by his neckerchief and whispered into his ear: "What should I do with the man?" He released Merlin, who gave him a small smile and he listened with rapt attention (although he would deny it to his dying breath) to the advice her servant was giving him. "I suggest Arthur, that you imprison him in Stonebarge for, say, seven months?" Arthur found himself wholeheartedly agreeing and, as Merlin walked swiftly the the corner of the room, Arthur demanded silence. Slowly he stood up and turned to face his knights, Percival, Elyan, Leon and Gwaine. He gave them a small nod, which they returned before twisting his head back to face the nobles and Thomas. "For your crimes against Camelot, I, King Arthur Pendargon, sentence you to seven months in Stonebarge prison. May god have mercy on your soul."
As the guards moved to grab Thomas, one held up his hand signalling them to stop. "Sire," he called. "He is speaking sire! Would you care to listen?" Arthur nodded his consent and the gag was removed. Instantly the man's voice surged louder until he was all but screaming. "Beware the man in the shadows! Beware him for he stalks the streets! Beware the Raven!" With that he collapsed upon the floor, muttering to himself, over and over again.
