Darkness covered Camelot, the lights from the torches casting long shadows on the ground. Several people walked along the paths around the castle, going about their usual business. It was a peaceful evening compared to the Samhain festivities of the night before. Taking advantage of a rare night off, Raieya angled along the path, enjoying the night air. Normally she would be inside the banquet hall providing music for dinner and evening entertainment. It was a nice change to get away from all the noise and excitement of the castle.
Raieya had been walking for some time and was near the castle door when the air suddenly turned cold. The flames of the nearest torches went out and she heard the people standing near them gasp. A horrible scream rent through the air followed by the appearance of a skeletal yet disembodied figure. It swooped over the people, causing them to fall instantly to the ground. Then it turned toward her. Raieya screamed as loud as she could, praying for help while bolting through the door. The guards rushed past her but Raieya did not stop. Petrified, she kept up her breakneck pace, scrambling through the halls of the castle, vaguely aware of the loud clang of the warning bells. At last she reached the hallway with the eagle standard outside the door. Frantically she pushed it open, praying that Gwaine would be back from his patrol. Raieya slipped in the room as fast as she could, immediately slamming and bolting the door closed.
"Raieya!" Gwaine exclaimed, as she bounded into his arms. "What the hell happened?! What's going on out there?"
Even though he was still dressed in his chain mail, Raieya clung tightly to him, her body trembling.
"There's something out there," she said. "Something terrible. It came for me but I ran."
She pulled away from Gwaine then, glancing toward the windows.
"The windows! We have to close them! What if it gets in?!"
"Raieya," said Gwaine, grabbing her arm. "Slow down. What exactly did you see?"
"I don't know!" exclaimed Raieya. "I don't know what it is. Something awful!"
She glanced anxiously toward the windows.
"We'll shut them," nodded Gwaine, following her gaze. "Listen. In the village there were, well I'm not sure what exactly. Shadows? Spirits? Whatever they are, they took out the entire place. Is this what you saw? Have they reached the citadel?"
Raieya hurried over to the windows then, slamming the shutters closed, her eyes wide. Gwaine moved to help her.
"Yes," she replied once they were done. "I think that's what I saw."
Gwaine frowned. "Rai, are you all right?"
"Physically yes, I think so," she responded. "Otherwise no. Of course not!"
Gwaine pulled her in to his arms, holding her close for a moment, the loud clanging of the warning bells still ringing in the background. He met her lips in a kiss before moving back, looking her in the eyes.
"It's going to be ok," he promised.
"You don't know that," argued Raieya.
"Sure I do," Gwaine shrugged, giving her a cocky smile. "We know we can fight them with fire and that's what we'll do. In fact, I better go find Arthur. See how I can help."
"No!" exclaimed Raieya. "No. You can't!"
"Raieya," said Gwaine gently. "You know as well as I. I have to."
"Then I'm coming with you," she said, turning away from him and heading toward the wardrobe.
"Raieya-"
"No," she said firmly, cutting him off. "I am *not* staying here and you're *not* going out there without me."
In the time she had spoken, she'd already grabbed a pair of her breeches and tossed aside her dress and shift.
"Raieyana," said Gwaine warningly.
"Don't," snapped Raieya, glaring at him. She'd already redressed and was pulling on her boots.
Gwaine shrugged.
-AUTHOR'S NOTE: More to come, just doing some rough editing for now-