The sun was rising by the time Merlin and Gwaine finished speaking. Mordred was blinking rapidly to keep himself awake.
"Gods, mate." Gwaine muttered. "Camelot would be a stinking ruin if it weren't for you."
Merlin snorted.
Movement could now be heard from the direction of the camp. "GWAINE." Roared Arthur, stomping into their space. Mordred straightened up.
"Did you fall asleep on watch?!"
"No, Princess. Simmer down."
"Then why didn't you wake anyone else for their turn?"
"Didn't need to. Didn't feel like sleeping." Gwaine blew a hank of hair out of his eyes.
Arthur rolled his eyes.
"Well come on you three lazy sods, we're heading out. Probably had a flask of something. I swear, Merlin. Gwaine. Stop corrupting the young." He turned and headed back to the clearing.
"Oh yes. Arthur thinks I'm a drunk because Gaius thought it was a good idea to tell him I'm in the tavern whenever I have to fight the evil sorcerer of the week."
"Mate. You're never at the tavern. And I know, because I'M always at the tavern."
"Yes, we know Gwaine." Merlin sighed, as he stood.
Mordred smirked as he followed them.
...
The village was small, dwarfed by the great white mountain it was nestled into the side of. It had a tavern (which Gwaine immediately noticed) a few houses, fields, a smithy and a small market. It was the largest settlement in the area however, which meant it saw a fair amount of visitors.
As they rode down the main thoroughfare - the only thoroughfare - Merlin closed his eyes and reached out with his magic. He could sense the pulse of life around them, felt the great trees growing, the tiny heartbeats of the small creatures in the fields, the breath of life in the breasts of the people around him. He could feel the turn of the earth and the flow of the clouds. But no dark magic, only...there. But it wasn't malignant. Not a necromancer then. He knew how that presence felt, the earth would have been crying out around the village. He could feel only earth magic: pure, and light.
He drew in a great breath and opened his eyes. "Fall asleep did you Merlin?" Arthur smirked. "Maybe you shouldn't have been drinking all night with Gwaine." Arthur smirked back at him, while sir Ewan looked vaguely disapproving.
"I wasn't...!" Merlin started, then sighed.
"What is it Emrys?" Mordred's voice swept in telepathically.
"The physician is not a necromancer. Just a healer with magic. If Arthur attempts an arrest I will intervene in some way."
"I am glad."