Chapter 8 – The Journey Begins

The sound of her heels clicking on the cold and hard stone floor echoed throughout the empty room. Looking around she smiled. Giving in was the best part. She would always ignore the voices at first, but in the end, they conquered her. Every single time. Telling her, ordering her to kill, and once you start killing, you never tire of it. It was like an addiction, dark, sweet and sticky. Her breathing was still a little rushed, the adrenaline coursing through her body like a fire invading her senses. She loved this feeling, lived for it, breathed for it. Stepping over the lifeless shape of a young man, she inhaled, taking in the rich scent of death. This was what magic was about. Not performing small, cheap trick for others" amusement, but gaining control, annihilating enemies, obtaining your desires. A long time ago, she would have laughed at this thought which seemed so typically evil. Thankfully she had come a long way since then. There were maybe thirty or so freshly killed bodies around her, some of which had limbs splayed out in comically unnatural angles, as if they belonged to puppets discarded by their master. Catching a glimpse of her reflection in a large puddle of blood, she smiled at herself. Her pathetic victims had been lucky. Their reaper had come looking like a woman from their most ardent fantasies. Her blonde hair was pinned up by a black broche which boasted an onyx in its centre. A few strands had escaped during the execution, but she liked the way it gave her a softer, more alluring look. Her long black dress hugged her body with her corset accentuating her figure. All in all, she was irresistible, and she knew it. Using this to her advantage was like second nature to her, and she planned on using every bit of her charm. She would make him see her, and only her. She would make it all as it should be. Smiling, she looked one last time at her handiwork before walking away. She could finally dare to dream big.

oOo

The smell of mint tea wafted upwards, through the open window, and into Merlin's room. The refreshing smell made him smile. It was still early morning and he was in bed, his sheets tangled around him. Eyes closed, he took pleasure in appreciating the world through his other senses. Undulating birdsongs mingled with the small sounds of humanity waking up and starting the day. The clanking of pots and pans, the crackling of fire and whispered chattering. Sunk comfortably into his pillow, he sighed, opening his eyes. Waking up in Camelot had never been this relaxed or carefree. Hearing knocking on his door, he cleared his throat before shouting "Come in!"

Marina opened the door energetically, almost bouncing in place.

"Merlin, Merlin I smell mint tea and I really want some but I don't want to go on my own!"

"Why-Why are you so excited?!"

She laughed as he looked on in complete amazement. He had never seen her this excited about anything.

"I've heard of it but never tried it! My mother always used to say that it was like a cup of sweet energy, apparently it wakes you up like nothing else!"

"I don't think you need any help in waking up, you seem alert enough to me."

"Oh come on!"

"Okay, okay, let me just get some clothes on and we can go."

Marina promptly left his room. Shaking his head, he located his clothes. She was in an amazingly good mood and he was going to enjoy it.

Turns out that every morning, the clan members all gathered in the centre, where a big pot of mint tea was brewed. Marina gasped in awe as she looked into the container placed above a simmering fire, bubbles continually popping on the surface. It looked like an entire basket of mint had been dumped into it. A young woman emerged from a nearby hut a ladle in hand, with Matias behind her carrying what looked to be a bag of sugar. Over the next fifteen minutes, tea was poured out to everyone. Merlin and Marina were approached by Matias" father, who also carried a glass of piping hot tea.

"I see you two are up bright and early!"

The old man smiled, and Marina could suddenly see the resemblance between him and his son.

"Actually, I meant to speak with you, let's find a more comfortable spot to chat."

He led them away from the centre and past the rows of houses, stopping at a small secluded spot between trees, at the edge of the forest. Merlin and Marina sat, the latter sipping her tea contentedly.

"You have both settled in remarkably well. I don't like extending conversations more than necessary, so I will just be blunt. I would like you to join the Mezo clan."

Merlin's mouth opened slightly whilst Marina burnt her tongue, surprised at the request.

"That's an honour, and it is very kind of you but…Marina and I need to get back home…"

The Mezo leader looked at Merlin with a peculiar expression on his face. Almost as if he had expected the answer. Smiling, he asked, "…and where is home?"

"Camelot."

The old man's eyes lit up as understanding dawned on his face.

"You are from behind Damien's Portals!"

Marina jumped in; "From where?"

Following her question, he launched into a long explanation about the Portals' origins, and the general history of Damerias. Merlin played with blades of grass thoughtfully. So they really had crossed into a different world.

"Where are the Portals?"

"Oh, they're all over Damerias, some are easier to access than others, mind you."

"Could you point us in the direction of the closest one?!"

Merlin felt hope rise within his chest at the thought of coming home.

"My dear boy, even if you find one, you need to know how to open it. And no one has access to that information save for the Imperial family, which is just as well. Can you imagine what people would do with the ability to open Portals to different worlds? It would be sheer havoc!"

Marina wondered how hard it would be to reach the Imperial family. "Can we not just speak to them? Where are they? Maybe if we explain they'll help us."

"Ah well, that depends. The Imperial family is not one in tune with its people, generally speaking, much less outsiders. It would be fortunate enough for you to be granted an audience with them. Unless…"

"Unless what?"

The Mezo leader took a sip of his tea carefully, before finishing his sentence.

"Unless you attend the Masquerade. It's supposed to be such a grand affair that even the Imperials will be there, mingling with everyone, which rarely happens. If you can catch them there, you're much more likely to get heard. Especially if you entertain them.

"Entertain? How?"

"Scandalous tales, impossible accounts, unbelievable magic tricks…"

Running a hand through her hair, Marina considered their options, of which she came to realise there were only one; to go to the masquerade and force the information they needed out of someone. That was the only way they would even begin to make their way back to Camelot. She knew Merlin had come to the exact same conclusion as she heard him sigh resignedly and ask;

"When is the Masquerade, how do we get there, and how do we get in?"

"It's…a week from today. It also happens to be two weeks away from here."

"What?! Then how will we ever make it in time?!"

Chuckling, the old man raised his hand, gesturing for Marina to calm down.

"Two weeks away by foot. If we gave you our best horses, you should make it just in time, provided you leave today. No invitations are needed, anyone can attended if dressed extravagantly enough. Merlin, you have enough money to procure yourself and your lady the best of evening attire."

With that, he stood up, agile despite his age. "I will send Matias with you to make sure you don't get lost."

Marina was quick to argue, the thought of spending almost a week in his constant company not being one she particularly revelled in. "No, that's not necessary. We will be fine on our own."

"Nonsense. Besides, who will ensure my horses" safe return to the village?"

Having nothing to say to that, she had no choice but to agree in silence. Returning to the village, both Merlin and Marina were lost deep in thought, mentally preparing themselves for the long journey that lay ahead.

oOo

"Are you all ready to leave?"

"Yes, I think so."

Arthur patted the flank of the chestnut stallion the General had given him. Standing just outside the cave entrance, they had made their goodbyes and were preparing to leave.

"I'm sorry I couldn't send anyone off with you, but you understand, I can't have one of my men running about. If he were to tell anything to anyone, our whole operation would be compromised.

The prince nodded in agreement.

"I've added a few provisions in your bag, along with a flask of water. I've done the same for Gwen." The older man leaned in, whispering in a conspiratory way. "I've also added some ink and parchment. If for whatever reason, you can't make it back, make sure you write all of your findings down, and get it to the address I wrote down on one of the sheets. They will know what to do with it."

With that, he took a step backwards, hands behind his back. Gwen looked at her own horse, a temperamental mare, and hoped that there wouldn't be any trouble on their way to the City. The thought of spending an entire week with only Arthur for company thrilled and terrified her simultaneously. Merlin and Marina would not be there to act as comic buffers when things got awkward, she would have to deal with those moments all on her own. Lifting her dress, she went to mount her horse, when Arthur called out to her.

"Gwen wait! You have to ride side saddle!"

"What? No, I can't do an entire journey that way!"

The General promptly re-entered the cave before emerging, holding what looked to be a pair of black breeches and a dark brown tunic.

"It might not be the most becoming outfit, but it should do the job."

Gwen graciously accepted the clothes, retreating behind a thicket of trees to change. The breeches fit perfectly, though she wasn't sure she was comfortable with how well they hugged her figure. Pulling the rough tunic over her head, she had to battle with her hair, which had gotten caught in the only button the item had. Smoothing it down, she sighed. Finally, clean clothes. Picking up her discarded dress, she walked back to her horse, ignoring as best as she could Arthur's stricken gaze. She felt a rush of heat making its way to her cheeks but she was determined to look sophisticated and able, even if only once. After having shoved the dress into her travel bag, she mounted the horse as naturally as possible, smiling as she shifted on the saddle, looking for the most comfortable position. Having found it, she casually asked,

"Shall we go?"

Arthur, more than a little distracted blinked a few times before getting onto his own horse. Gwen silently thanked Marina, who had always told her that self-confidence always started with pretence.

If she was going to have to spend time alone with the prince, she would have to stop blushing furiously every time he so much as looked at her.