A/N: I know that my use of Forbearnan may feel somewhat extensive, but it seems a very useful spell...in my mind. Apologies.

Chapter 10 – No Going Back

Eveana ignored Eoghan's protests, and crept along to the great hall. She cautiously pushed the door open, her hand on her ever-present dagger.

Inside were thousands of children, some clustered in groups and others lined against the wall in fear. Most were crying and hugging their friends. What struck Eveana was that she could only see one or two dressed like peasants. The rest were all in clothes only slightly simpler than her own.

They all had magic.

Morgana was in her throne on the platform, examining the sleeves of her gown. Even as Eveana moved forward, the Bloodguard dragged in more children.

"What on earth are you doing, Morgana?" hissed Eveana, once on the platform. "Why are all these children here?"

Morgana ignored Eveana, and stood up. The children stopped sniffling and stared up at her.

"Guards, bring them to me. I don't want any near the doors."

Eveana's heart dropped as the children were herded towards the throne. Elodie was among them, clutching at another girl's hand. She looked tiny amongst the crowd, her eyes silently pleading with Eveana.

Eoghan and Gwen were at the doors, shaking their heads at Eveana. She ignored them and grabbed Morgana's arm.

"Morgana, answer me! What are they all doing here?"

Morgana smiled. "You'll soon see. In fact, I need you and Eoghan to help me with this."

She turned to the children, addressing them now. "Silence, all of you. I want you all to come forward when I ask and then we shall find out how powerful your magic is. I hope for your sake none of you have any great powers."

"And why do you need to know how powerful they are?"

Morgana narrowed her eyes. "I need to know that no-one will challenge my position as Queen. Now take a group, and test them. If any are particularly strong, give them to the Bloodguard and we can arrange executions."

Eveana froze. "You wouldn't, Morgana. Oh please, they're just children!"

Morgana moved forward, eyeing those closest to her. Her gaze settled on Elodie. "You. Come forward."

"Forbearnan!"

At Eveana's screech, the floor in front of Morgana burst into flames. She fell backwards, attempting to put it out with her own magic.

"Grab as many as you can!" cried Eveana to Gwen and Eoghan. The Bloodguard closest to Eveana held his sword high, ready to strike, but not before Eoghan ran him through. The guard collapsed at Eveana's feet, much to the horror of the children.

Soon the hall was in chaos. The fire spread so that Morgana was surrounded by flames, and hysterical children attempted to reach the doors. Eveana and Eoghan slaughtered what guards they could with magic, and Gwen did the best she could with her sword. But Eveana knew that they couldn't fight forever and that they couldn't save everyone.

Gwen fought off the guards nearest the door, and ushered a handful of children out. Eoghan did likewise, searching for his sister as the guards moved to close the doors.

"Eveana, hurry up!" he called desperately. She was still near the flames, moving through children to find Elodie.

"Elodie? Elodie, where are you?"

"I'm here!" came the high-pitched reply. Eveana pushed a guard out of the way and scooped Elodie into her arms, running for the door and gathering as many children behind her as she could.

Just as the three adults and the children they had gathered got outside, the doors were slammed shut. Barely pausing to breathe, Gwen gestured for them to follow her and head outside to the catacombs.

Elodie tightened her grip on Eveana's shoulder as they were engulfed in darkness. The torches in Eoghan and Gwen's hands were barely enough light for all of them.

"Where now?" said Eoghan, struggling to catch his breath.

"Can't we rest for a little? The guards are still in the great hall; they let us escape," pointed out Gwen.

"No," said Eveana. "Once Morgana has locked the other children up, they'll be after us. We don't have long. Come on, Gwen, which way? You said Arthur always had men at the tunnels so you could get out."

"That was for when I had time to wander around and look for them!" she replied, exasperated.

Eveana lifted Elodie onto the ground for a moment, and held her hand out in front of her.

"Forbearnan."

This time, instead of a roaring fire, a tiny flame appeared on Eveana's palm. She gazed at the flame intently for a moment, before pointing ahead. "This way."

Eoghan stared at her in wonder as the flame was extinguished, and Elodie found herself on Eveana's back. "And you know that how, Eveana?"

"The wind blew the flame towards me," she called behind her, leading the way forward. "There has to be a way out of the tunnel in this direction."

Eoghan shook his head and followed her reluctantly. Eveana tried to forget that they were all counting on her, and heaved a sigh of relief as light began to flood into the tunnel. She began to walk a little faster, but stopped abruptly as a figure blocked the exit. Concealed by a blue, silk cloak, they were impossible to distinguish.

"Need any help?"

The figure lowered her hood to reveal long, blonde hair and eyes that were outlined in dark make-up. She held her hand out, smirking at Eveana's open mouth.