Beginning of Nightmares

Prompt 047: Excalibur

Un hotel que no es de nadie, una cama que no es mia, se me muere un dia mas…

Soledad, Ricardo Arjona

It was raining.

For some reason it was always raining.

Balthazar had been brought before the King, his hair dripping as he tried to make sense of what was going on, as the King stood, talking. But for Balthazar there was no sound.

When Master found out he would be furious.

During another trip to town, this time with both Horvath and Veronica, Balthazar had witnessed the guards and soldiers rounding up strong men to drag them to war. Since Merlin refused to join the battle of Camlann many civilians had taken the old sorcerer's advice and stood away from the battle, but only the apprentices were aware of the why. Arthur's death would bring great changes to the country, especially when this whole era would be shrouded in depths of mystery. Balthazar had been pulled away from his brothers, Veronica's cries still echoing in his mind, but the older apprentice had told them to get to master and remain in the Keep. At least they didn't pull Horvath as well. Probably his height helped him to pass as a child—

Balthazar had been welcomed to the exclusive circle of the men that would surround the King during the journey and battle, and there was no way he could escape now. So he was dragged back to the armory, sword and shield trusted into his hands, and soon after dropped into a small office, where a few other soldiers were waiting for their orders to march.

For his twentieth birthday Merlin had gifted Balthazar with a messenger hawk, and it would find him, no matter the weather or situation. Balthazar would carry it around dutifully, to deliver messages to his master, or his fellow apprentices, as ordered by Merlin himself. In his state of shock Balthazar turned to the window and saw the hawk standing there, moving anxiously from one side of the window to the other, letting out little squeaks as it did. Balthazar made his way to the nearest desk, and searched about; he found ink and feather pen, and after a bit of more struggling he found a piece of parchment. His writing was quick, the letter long, and before the door opened to reveal the officer they were to follow, Balthazar had rolled up the paper and placed it on the back of the hawk's leather bag. "Go to master, now." He ordered the bird, and saw it fly away.

He hadn't begged Master to come pick him up, but he had told him about King Arthur's plans, where battle would be met, and why he had been dragged. He asked Merlin to tell both his other apprentices that he would be fine and in time, he would also return home. But if one could read Balthazar's note one would understand that he was afraid, and if his master just teleported there, and dragged him away he would have been grateful. Yet deep inside, his heart shivered; he knew it wouldn't happen.

And it didn't. Balthazar stood beside the King's horse, eyes staring forward as the army assembled as best as it could across the field of Camlann, at the other side Medraut's army stood, also assembling. By the end of the day, Balthazar had been told by his master a few weeks prior, everything would have come to an end. So he just swallowed hard, and hoped he would make it. At least to see Veronica's faced one last time.

Arthur unsheathed Excalibur, the broad sword shinning against the mocking rain, and several of his knights also readied for battle. Balthazar had been to many battles in his short existence, in his twenty four winters he'd witnessed death, massacres, carnage and evil beyond imagination. And he'd never been truly afraid only worried about his fellow fighter's. But today there was this feeling at the end of his gut, that he would have the same faith as Arthur. The cry for battle was given, and shutting down the hopeful part of his mind that had begged the greater good he served for Merlin to suddenly appear and take him away, Balthazar unsheathed his sword and got ready to battle for his life.

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Veronica had been pacing the gardens, worriedly when she saw Balthazar's hawk diving toward the castle. Her hand extended, covered with the thick sleeve of her dress, and the large hawk landed gracefully on it, squealing. Her other hand got busy, unfolding the little bag on its back, and revealing a piece of parchment. She quickly got it out and unfolded it. It was Balthazar's writing, she would know the messy scribbles anywhere, and it stated that he was off to war; that he'd been forced to it by the king and that he promised to return.

Tell both Horvath and Veronica I promise to be back, as promised, to continue our studies…

Breathing hard Veronica turned, released the bird back to the sky and hurried into the Keep.

"Master!" She cried loudly, making everybody hurry out of wherever they were, as she ran by. "Master!" Merlin appeared from his study, worriedly looking at the running woman. She was carrying the letter and crying. "He's gone to war, master! They have forced an oath of protection to the king!" The letter was snatched from her hold, as she breathed deeply.

Now the words he'd heard from Balthazar a year earlier made sense. Horvath appeared a few minutes later, having heard Veronica's cries from his room. "He's the witness," Said Merlin, turning back to this study, looking defeated. Here he was hoping Balthazar would be able tot ell them where he was been dragged to and once he found out he could do nothing. "He's the witness of prophesy."

"We have to get him back, I can teleport and return before…"

"No!" Thundered Merlin to Horvath, making both apprentices take a step back. "He must go to battle. It's needed."

"But Master, Balthazar didn't …"

Merlin lifted his hand, he wouldn't listen to them, and turned back to his study; his frame was slumped forward and if anyone didn't know what was happened they would say the great Merlin had been defeated.

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If there was something he hated more than transfiguration spells were trolls, and if there was a kind of troll he hated more than the average troll was a mountain troll. Reason why he was so annoyed at the moment the captain of the guard pushed him towards the mountain troll that the forces of Medraut had pulled out from the very depths of mountain hell. Balthazar used two (not one, but two) plasma bolts to hit the thing, and it was still coming after him. So knowing it would be more of a physical battle he pulled out his sword again, and from the inside of his sleeve, the knife Horvath had gifted him for his twenty first winter. There was an old saying, for killing trolls, and Merlin had tried to hammer it into his senses, but unfortunately he'd forgotten again. The troll's hammer took a wild swing, and Balthazar took the moment before it was pulled back and stabbed the thing on the side, his sword piercing the thick skin of it's back. Facing his back now Balthazar had a much better chance of defeating it quickly.

But he didn't notice chains hanging from its writs, that swung to the opposite direction the hammer did. Balthazar was able to miss them both, only barely, and felt it's tips had graced his bare arms. Another set of plasma bolts followed, and Balthazar jumped over the hammer, his sword gracing its thick neck making it roar in anger. The hammer moved, Balthazar hurried to jump backwards, landing over a fallen soldier, who held a spiked ball.

To do two spells at the same time you must master at least one of them, then with it's familiarity your mind can be clear to cast the second spell. Merlin's words were slow, and as he fully remembered the particular lesson, Balthazar just stood straight, sword returning to it's sheath, knife to the inside of his sleeve. His hands lowered, fingers opening and lighting crackled inside his palm as the troll growled at him and started to running towards him. The two plasma bolts gathered enough energy and as the troll was about to swing it's hammer over Balthazar the sorcerer released the plasma bolts knocking the troll slightly off course, it stopped looked down at the where the bolts had hit him and then turned to growl at Balthazar… Only to get the spiked ball hammered a few times to it's face.

Death the troll fell backwards, crushing one of Medraut's soldiers. It didn't meant the battle was over, as a matter of fact a sword hit Balthazar's shield and turning he looked at the offender and casted lighting over his helmet, electrocuting him. The rain had let out a little but with everyone drenched to the bone it didn't really matter, what made the electricity curse faster trough the man's body. Balthazar unsheathed his sword again and moved back into battle, swearing to find the captain of the guard and jolt him for having push him towards the troll.

The light that escaped Excalibur made Balthazar look up ahead, where Arthur was moving through the enemy grounds defeating his foes to find his main target. Balthazar turned for a moment, stabbing a man who was about to attack him, and turned to look at Arthur, searching for Medraut. Balthazar casted a powerful wind spell pushing all enemies and friends alike away, so he could cast a spell to transport himself closer to Arthur, after all he was one of the guards and the only one who could do magic. He felt been sucked the ground and when he reopened his yes his back was to Arthur's, stopping a swarm of soldier about to jump the king.

Blood was everywhere, and by the time Arthur realized where they had gotten into the horn for the enemy retreat had been sounded. Balthazar watched the troops trying to escape, only to be slaughtered by the Arthurian army. Excalibur in hand, Arthur did nothing to stop the slaughter, only turned to Balthazar and placed his hand over the younger man's shoulder.

"Good to see you survived the day, sorcerer." If the man had been anyone else Balthazar would have shaken away the hand, and walked away. But he owed loyalty to the King.

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Balthazar was at the back of the King's tent, mainly because he wanted his privacy while healing, and secondly because everyone else was murmuring at the sight of him. What was Merlin's lap dog doing in battle when Merlin himself had withdrawn his blessing from Arthur's decisions? If they only knew he was there because of a mistake. In the tent he could hear the knights assembling to discuss the day's victory with the king, while Balthazar was just trying to keep dry and heal his little wounds as quick as possible, tomorrow he might not get so lucky as to survive almost untouched, and it was better to keep in the best possible shape. The rain had let out, finally, and although the night was fresh, Balthazar had to find some place to take shelter, hopefully with none of the guards, soldiers and not event eh king himself.

The sound of a hawk made him look up, and Balthazar frowned, the black dot in the sky dove and within a minute was wrapping it's claws around it's master's arm. It squeaked nuzzling his master's cheek and was given a small treat, Balthazar always carried treats for the hawk, although they proved useless in battle, but he hated to leave his pet without food. Balthazar took the small pouch and quickly emptied over his lap; there was a letter, several miniaturizes items of food, and a leather band. The Hawk moved to perch itself over his shoulders, as Balthazar inspected the items. Quickly he opened the letter. It was from Veronica.

Master won't allow us, or himself, to search for you and has sent us to study to our rooms. Both Horvath and I feel the injustice been done to you, but we are confident in seeing you before the month is out. We've sent you several items, master never said anything about not helping you through messages, so we took great risk and send some loafs of bread, a piece of ham Horvath was able to steal form the kitchen and some ginger bread. The wrist band I send, so you remember home every time you look at your arm. We are eagerly waiting your return, so we can have apples under the big tree in the garden. Please be safe, and take care.

The letter warmed him in the cold night, and he wished to answer but was ill equipped to write anything down; he had not ink or parchment. So he just picked the miniaturized loaf of bread, brought it to real size along with the ham and had dinner. Balthazar knew he was the witness of the prophesy master had been talking about for a few years now, he'd known it from the moment the king forced and oath over him, reason why he hadn't made his attempt to escape. Wrapping the large wristband around his arm he secured it safely and then pulled out a small bag from his pocket and saved the rest of the items. He took off his pinky ring, the one Veronica and Horvath liked, and slid it into the Hawk's pouch sending it off, that way they would know he'd be back to claim the item.

Balthazar created a small bed with is cloak and bags, and extended the back of the upper part of the king's tent to cover his own little camp, he created a small fire, to keep him warm, and dropped over the cloak. He was tired, but sleep wouldn't come easy, he struggled to get comfortable for a while and when he rested on his side, arms wrapped around his upper body the sound of a sword been sharpened cut through the air. Balthazar lifted his head, hearing the baritone voice of Arthur murmuring to his knights, the stone sliding down Excalibur even when the sword didn't need sharpening, it came again and again, lulling Balthazar to sleep.