Chapter one
The day began simply as usual in Camelot. For everybody but Merlin that is. Instead of bringing King Arthur, who he served as manservant, his breakfast as usual he was out in the field. Gathering herbs for a remedy that Gaius required.
The field was large and the early morning sun impaired his vision. He could smell the heavy fragrance from the many flowers in the field and under that he could also smell the nearby river. That was his destination. He needed the tamarisk shrub that grew near the river. He was almost there and was walking with an extra vigor in his step.
There had been reports of raiders in the area that migrated here from the north and the knights hadn't taken care of them yet. They were busy with other things like bandits and warriors from other kingdoms. He hurried to where Gaius said the shrub stood and found it easily enough. The branches were were thin, long, and felt feathery against his hand. He plucked a few off before he saw a single man step in from the wooded area across the river.
He was young no older than Merlin himself. He had red hair that went to his shoulder and a thin growing beard the same shade of red. He wore what looked like a sheepskin vest and leather breeches. The part in particular that made Merlin's eyes go wide was the axe on his belt.
"I'm Halling." The young man said in a thick accent as he walked closer.
"Merlin." He said simply, confused. Merlin readied himself to call magic at the hint of trouble but this man wasn't projecting aggression but that didn't mean much.
"You wouldn't happen to have food would you?" He asked and Merlin's guard went down. He really did look hungry. His cheeks were sunken, and his eyes were ghastly.
Merlin pulled out the half loaf of bread and cheese he was saving for the trip back and extended it out for him.
"Here." Merlin told him with an encouraging smile.
Halling was about to take it when another voice boomed out from the forest. "What are ya Doing?" The voice heavier, thick accented and much deeper. It hollered with the voice of a man who practiced yelling at others. Probably over other loud noises to make himself heard.
He wore similar clothes to Halling and had a similar bearing but none of the humility. His beard was long going halfway down his chest and his red hair had lines of gray in it. He carried his battleaxe in his hand with practiced ease and looked as hungry as was Merlin supposed was his son.
"Don't take charity from these prim and proper lot!" He screamed. "Take it!" He said stepping forward. His aggression was palpable compared to his sons.
Halling looked frightened for a moment before he pulled his axe from his belt and swung at Merlin. Merlin avoided the blow by virtue of his many practice session there he acted as Arthur's shield bearer and took Arthur's blows for sport. Halling moved in again quicker than Merlin expected. He swung again at Merlin and clipped Merlin's right hand as he tried again to avoid it. Scrambling to his feet he ran back towards town.
It was a futile attempt. Despite the fact that he was malnourished, Halling still moved with considerable speed. And gained on Merlin quickly.
Seeing no other option he gathered his will and called his magic. He raised his hand at Halling and spoke a single word and released the spell.
The spell hit Halling hard and he was knocked backward a dozen meters and landed with a hard thump and laid still. Merlin had to fight the urge to run over and check on him with the father still coming after him. So he ran. He looked back and saw the father stop at his son's still form , put his head to Halling chest then raise his head to the sky and yell. It was both sad and angry.
But Merlin kept running fear clung to him of what would happen to him should the large man catch him. The thought fueled his movements and he kept pace until he got within sight of the town outlying Camelot.
Gaius was almost finished wrapping Merlin's hand in bandages as Merlin finished the story of the encounter.
"did he mention what is family name was?" Gaius asked curiously. He tightened the bandage and made merlin wince.
"No just Halling, Why?" Merlin took his throbbing hand away from Gaius and moved his fingers around getting used to the bandage.
"From what I know. There is a clan in the Northern Islands that had a son named Halling. And the Aakre clan is dangerous. Their talented in battle is as strong as their wrath for the fallen. I would be careful Merlin and tell Arthur about this."
"I can't. I used magic and... Killed his son." Merlin said almost unable to say it. It was an accident and he hated the feeling of killing someone like Halling. Coerced because of their father. "If I tell him there's a chance he'll tell Arthur."
"If you don't..." Gaius said grimly. "He will come back for vengeance. Its the Northerners way."
"Well I just won't leave Camelot for a while he shouldn't be able to touch me here. Right?"
"We'll see, Merlin." Gaius said with a hint of exasperation born from their many experiences of trouble in Camelot that Merlin seemed to be ignoring or just forgetting.
Two days later and no backlash yet and Merlin was feeling safer and safer.. He was polishing Arthur's armor while mumbling to himself about the king being a prat for getting it extra dirty in his last training session with the knights.
He was scrubbing away when he heard soft foots steps coming into the armory where he was working to stay away from Arthur for a while.
It was an old man. Of at least sixty years, he wore a grayish clock with the hood over his head and had a trim two inch white beard. He carried himself easily despite his years and Merlin stopped working as he entered.
"Can I help you?" He asked courteously.
"Are you Merlin. Known to the Druids as Emrys?" He asked simply and to the point. He spoke with such an even tone it made Merlin cautious. Not to Mention the fact he knew both of his names.
"Who are you?" He asked readying his magic. "Why are you here? Are you a Druid?"
"I guess you can call me that," He chuckled. "I am here at the bequest of a grieving father." He stated professionally. "I respect you Warlock but I'm afraid I have to."
Merlin stood up in a haste and grabbed a nearby sword. Thinking better of using magic in the castle.
"Brave but pointless. I know many have tried to kill you and failed. I will do something new." He pulled out a small bottle with a black liquid from his robe and started chanting under his breath. Merlin listened trying to get a grasp on the chant but he couldn't recognize it. Then the man drew back his hand and threw it at Merlin's feet where it shattered and the liquid in the bottle vaporized instantly engulfed Merlin in a thick black mist.
As quickly as it appeared the mist was gone. And the old Druid started to leave.
"What was that?! What did you do?!"He asked his fear turning into anger.
"A curse. And don't try me boy. I'm still out of your depth to contend against." He said sensing the hostile magic Merlin was drawing in.
He started walking away and Merlin stopped the magic. He knew the old sorcerer was right though he wasn't sure how.
He didn't feel any different so whatever this curse was it wasn't effecting him directly and that scared him. Scared him more than if he were on fire and that fire was speaking to him of how it was cold.
He rushed to Gaius and told him this story. Upon the mention of the black mist Gaius fell pale.
"Merlin... I think you're in trouble. I've only ever heard of the curse of taking darkness but it is one of if not the strongest curses known. I'm not even sure what happens when its cast upon its victim. Its that hard to cast, Merlin. All I know is that it never stops."
"come on, can't be that bad can it?"
Right then Arthur burst in and stalked straight to Merlin. "Why haven't you finished my armor. You know I needed it by now.. Were you at the tavern again?" He waited a moment before going on. Or perhaps you we're just asleep, being the worst servant in the castle. And that is an accomplishment."
"I'm sorry my lord but I called Merlin away," Gaius covered for him quickly. "I needed some herbs from just out of town and he just got back."
Arthur scowled at Merlin and scoffed at him before stalking out diffused from his rant. "Finish it now, Merlin!" He hollered then closed the door behind him after he left.
"I should go do that." Merlin moaned as he stepped towards the door. "I'll be back when I'm done." He told Gaius when he saw his protesting face he was giving.
"You better hurry. We don't know what will happen." Gaius told him seriously.
"I know. I'll hurry." Merlin told him as he hurried off back to the armory.
It was dark when Merlin finished cleaning the armor and because of the timing had to help Arthur into it. He was on his way to Gaius when he heard a voice from ahead of him. It was course and shifted between a normal human voice to a deeper and courser tone, back and forth randomly.
"To do well as a knight you must work hard and train daily." The voice sounded insane and as merlins stepped forward he called down the hallway ahead of him and was answered by the same voice. "A knight must always do his duty." The unknown knight called and stepped into the hall.
The knight was in full armor and carried his sword in one hand. He was hunched over oddly and strode towards Merlin with menace in his eyes. What scared him most was the knight was engulfed in a clinging black haze. A wind blew through and almost all of the torches in the hall blew out leaving Merlin in the darkness.
Merlin took a step back and the knight charged. He swiped the sword and Merlin fell back narrowly avoiding the stroke. Scrambling back Merlin tried to ready himself to attack but for some reason the knight terrified him. He hurried back to his feet and the knight readied himself and swung again.
Gathering his wits, Merlin's eyes shimmered a bright orange and an invisible force struck the knight. It recoiled but barely moved from his spot. Merlin frowned. That wasn't a weak blow and such magic had done wonders in the past.
With the torches out it was dark in the hallway and it was giving Merlin trouble. He could tell where the knight was by the clanging sound his armor was making but he couldn't see him at all.
Drawing out the Magic Merlin reignited the torches with a flex of his power and the black haze that covered the knight burned away in the light. It cried out as the last of it burned and swung out again. Merlin threw out his hand and his magic lashed at the knight and as it hit the wall the knight vanished in a burst of gold light and black matter.
Merlin cringed for a moment. The adrenaline making him shake as it was left unneeded.
"What in the blood hell was that?" He said. Standing up and breathing hard.