Chapter 10

As the sun rose weakly in the morning sky Merlin gave up any pretence of trying to rest. The night had been horrific; nightmare filled and hope destroying. He unfurled his long body and tried to stretch some of the kinks and hurts from his bones. But it was pointless. He was more exhausted then ever; the dark hours having brought no respite. But with the dawn came some small measure of renewed belief…the faith that perhaps the dreams had been warnings and not the truth. Merlin had to allow himself the slim idea that he could still do something to remedy whatever it was that had happened to Gaius. Some way to bring life back to the empty body that lay silently in Camelot. Otherwise what was the point?

He ate the dry, stale bread left over from last night whilst he saddled his mare. There was no camp to pack away and so within a few moments he was mounted and heading off towards the Manor House. He still had no clear idea of what curse Gaius was under but he knew that its source was Lord Caldwell; he just felt it. And nothing was going to stop him from doing whatever was necessary to bring the old physician home.

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Now he was here at the Manor Merlin had to concede that his intent was good but his planning skills were sadly lacking. It had been grim determination and bloody mindedness that had got him thus far but now he needed to actually figure out what to do next.

When he had arrived the Manor had been guarded by three men at the main door. It was but the work of a moment, a flick of a hand and they were no longer a problem. Merlin had then walked in through the main door into the entrance chamber and … well stopped. He had no clear idea as to what to do next. For a minute he just stood there until he heard a noise coming from a corridor just off the entrance and he was awoken from his stupor. Desperately glancing around he saw a large trunk by the door and he hurried towards it. Lifting the lid he could see that it was half filled with linens and wall hangings. There was just enough room for him as well so he climbed in and quickly shut the lid most of the way. Through the small crack he had left Merlin could see the legs and lower bodies of four men walking up the corridor and into a room on the left. He just made out the words "My Lord, the village…" before the door slammed. Not much but it was enough for him to work out the man he sought was in that room.

He knew that time was running out; the unconscious guards were likely to be discovered very soon and then all hell would break loose. Quietly climbing out of the trunk Merlin realised that there was not time to be subtle or clever; his only option was to face the Lord and demand the truth. But he knew that this approach was full of danger.

The first problem was that he did not know how strong Caldwell's magic was; but he was betting on his own being stronger. Secondly he had no idea who else was behind the shut door but that was a risk he was willing to take. Thirdly and most importantly Merlin knew that he would need to expose his magic to all and thus put his secret at risk. The only thing he could hope for as he walked towards the wooden door was that the Manor House was so far away from the Citadel that no-one there would ever find out about it. After all no-one knew who he was…well except Deryn but he was sure that she would keep his presence to herself. Her drunken husband might also have heard his name but Merlin was confident that in his addled state he would never remember it. So all in all it was worth the risk. Merlin knew deep within him that Gaius did not have much time and he needed to act now.

Drawing a deep breath and making a silent plea to the old gods Merlin put his hand on the door and opened it. Pulling himself up to his full height and walking with purpose he moved into the room and shouted.

"Lord Caldwell; I come for Gaius. You will free him from whatever curse you have him under. Or you will pay dearly!" His voice was bold and assured; his magic bubbling so near to the surface he felt as if his whole body was glowing.

As he spoke he raised his head and finally took in the room and its inhabitants. The rooms inhabitants were standing beside a table, at which sat one of the largest human beings Merlin had ever seen. He made Percival look like a young child. But it was not his size that made him stand out from the others but rather his aura. Around him was such a stench of depravity that it nearly made Merlin wretch. Everything about him spoke of dark deeds and degeneracy. And beneath that smell of corruption was the underlying reek of some of the Darkest magic Merlin had ever encountered. True the young warlock had met and fought with many who did evil with their gifts but this was something different. It wasn't just Dark magic but a twisted and debased nature he was facing. In an instant Merlin knew that this man had used his magic for his own depravity and sadistic pleasure; not for any cause (no matter how wrong sighted). He was barbarous. And he was now staring directly at Merlin; his eyes reflecting all that he was and all that he had done.

It took all of Merlin's nerve not to turn and run; his concern over the fate of Gaius being the anchor to which he tied himself. Stepping forward he once again spoke aloud.

"I have given you a warning. There will not be another. Tell me what you have done to Gaius."

A low rumbling laugh greeting this statement and Merlin felt it eat into his courage; the sound was so base and fallen. The man rose from his chair and moved towards the young warlock; who raised his arm high in defence as Lord Caldwell spoke.

"I will not tell you; but I will show you."

Before Merlin could react a crippling pain encircled his body and the brightest of lights blinded his eyes. As he fell to the ground clutching his head the glare became dark and the room around him totally disappeared. Through the torment Merlin knew that he was back in the trance like state of his dreams last night; but this time it was different. There was no tortured Gaius crying for help. Rather there was a mirror alone in the dark and Merlin felt himself being drawn towards it.

Unable to resist his mind moved him forward until he was standing in front of the ornate looking glass. And what he saw made him gasp, jolting fear from under the pain he was in. It was not his own reflection that he saw staring back at him but that of Caldwell. It was the Lord's face that appeared and his grin that greeted the confused and barely comprehending warlock. The man in the reflection smoothed down his hair, straightened his cloak and smiled. Such a smile as Merlin had never witnessed before, so evil and cold. As he smiled Merlin felt himself turn away from the mirror and saw the Great Hall before him. But not as it had been a moment ago. Instead it appeared empty of people, lit by dozens of candles and so very cold. As he took in the room Merlin suddenly understood what was happening to him. He was seeing past events through the eyes of Caldwell. The Lord had made good on his words of showing rather than telling Merlin what had happened and now Merlin realised what was to come. And he was terrified.

As the past Caldwell finished his survey of the Hall he finally stopped and settled his eyes on a shadowy figure just out of the candle light. A nod of the head and the stumbling man was brought forward by a guard and Merlin's heart broke once more. For before him was a filthy and bleeding Gaius; limping towards Caldwell.

And Merlin knew he would now be shown what had happened to the beloved old man.

And he dreaded that knowledge.

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