Chapter 11
Nin's POV
"So, you believe it can be a trap or something?" I looked at Merlin who was packing rapidly. He had just grabbed me and shoved into his room. According to his story, Arthur was sending the knights on another mission in search for an artifact. And our favourite servant – wizard had a bad feeling about it.
"I may be imagining things but I don't want to risk ignoring it…"
"Are you planning to go with them? What does Arthur thinks of it?"
I was sitting on Merlin's bed and watching him pacing nervously. Merlin was a good person, kind and trustworthy, he cared deeply about his friends. I wish I could be considered his friend one day.
"Actually, I haven't told him yet," Merlin looked at me. "Do you think this whole idea with artifacts worth it?"
I shrugged my shoulders. Artifacts were objects filled with magic and power; they were mostly used by those who possessed no magic themselves. Nowadays there were no magic in Camelot (at least officially), so they might use some artifacts for protection. There is always some trick though. One can never know the strength of an artifact or the kind of magic in it.
"You, guys, need to be careful with it anyway," Merlin sat next to me on the bed. "Even if you find something, you'll need someone who knows how the things work."
Merlin sighed heavily.
"I believe you can do that," I said tapping him on the shoulder. "You have it in you. Magic, you know. And you have me… well, just in case."
Merlin smiled at me. This very moment the door flew open and Gawaine entered the room.
"Merlin, friend, Arthur is on the rampage for his servant isn't beside him. The nuisance wants you to help him dress up for some official occasion. Seriously, man! Can't he dress himself?" only after finishing his speech Gawaine spotted me in the room with Merlin. He froze and stared at me.
"Um… hello there," I smiled and stood up. "I guess your king needs you now. We can finish the conversation later. See you, Merlin."
I was about to leave the room, Gawaine stood still and glared at Merlin.
Come on, girl, don't be a sissy… tell him…
"Gawaine," I looked back at him. "Good luck with your trip. And be careful."
Seriously, couldn't I think of something more trivial to say?.. oh, whatever…
After Nin left Merlin told Gawain that he was going to accompany them to their destination.
"Someone has to look after you, you – Knights are like children at times," Said Merlin
"Just don't forget to tell Arthur, he seems to act like a child all the time. And who made him the King?" Gawaine flopped down the bed.
"erm… the Knights helped a lot with that…"
"Oh, right!"
Merlin rolled his eyes with irritation.
"So…" Gawain sat up and looked at his friend.
"So?.." Merlin raised his eyebrow suspiciously.
"What was Nin doing here? You two seem to be on a pretty friendly terms," Gawain looked at Merlin curiously.
"Yeas, we have a lot in common and she's actually nice… why are you asking?"
"No reason," Gawaine got up and stole an apple from Merlin's bag.
"Yeah, sure," Merlin smiled mischievously. "Absolutely no reason."
"Hey, I mean it!"
Two hours later Lancelot, Percival and Gawaine were ready to leave the castle but Merlin was nowhere to be seen. Stable boy prepared the fourth horse.
"We can't wait any longer. The sooner we leave, the sooner we'll come back. I don't want to wander around the forest at night." Gawaine was fond of proper bed, although he got used to sleeping on the ground.
Meanwhile, Merlin was in Nin's room, trying to persuade her to accompany the knights.
"Arthur said that they can manage without me, besides he needs me here for some case of national importance or something."
"Well then, if it's a case of national importance then I can't refuse. What do you expect me to do with them?"
"Just look after them, they may need some magical support."
***
Nin's POV
So, there we were, on the road, three merry Knights and me. After five hours on the horseback I began doubting Merlin's sanity. How can I look after three big guys with the swords? I might turn out to be a liability to them.
For now everything went smooth and quiet. We galloped through the village without a stop. Of course, Gawaine offered to stay at the tavern for an hour, to give horses some rest but Lancelot and I refused unanimously. Percival just laughed kindly.
The weather slowly began deteriorating an hour later. The dark heavy clouds covered the sky. Rain began several minutes later.
"The temple is in the forest. We leave horses here and continue on foot," Lancelot dismounted, Percival and Gawaine followed him. I pulled my hood on and shivered. The rain was getting stronger and cold gusty wind didn't add any comfort.
"How about a short break?" offered Gawaine.
"We could use some rest," I supported the idea. I felt dizzy from a long ride. I couldn't even dismount myself.
If I try, I fall immediately…
As if reading my mind, Gawaine came up to my horse and helped to dismount. I definitely blushed as he held me tight and lifted off the animal.
Horses are nice, but from the distance. Gawaine is nice from any distance…
"Thank you …" I looked at him feeling unsteady ground under my feet. "I'm not used to this…"
"I should give you some horse riding lessons, someday," Gawaine smirked.
Sure… someday …
"Alright, let's move a little bit further and have a break then," said Lancelot
Three knights and a witch in disguise went deep into the forest. The rain got heavier but thick brunches of trees more or less covered the travelers. Soon among the trees I spotted some building or a stone wall. We approached what turned out to be a group of large rocks standing in a circle. I saw something similar back home but those rocks seemed really old and no one used them for a long time. I felt the place was abandoned and rested for a while from human presence.
"Looks like a perfect place for a halt!" announced Lancelot. I dropped my bag on the grass and looked around. What I saw surprised me: Gawain was looking at the group of stones with disbelief and caution.
"Gawaine, what's wrong?" I asked and he looked at me with a hint of a terror in his eyes.