Artemus looked up as Amnres came running into the meadow at top speed, a look of terror on her face, Artemus immediately felt his pulse quicken and he rushed up to her side. He could see the children huddling together to the side, their game forgotten.

"Amnres what is it love?" He asked concerned

"There must of been an attempt on the kings life or something of that nature, he has become ruthless, he has sent knights into the deep forest!" She breathed "He is killing spirits, they think we are monsters conjured by evil sorcerers, Artemus, they are killing the children!"

Artemus felt his blood turn to ice at that. There were many spirits in this part of the forest, many of them had children, ranging from infants to fully grown adults. He looked over at his own.

Merlin who was now only a few weeks away from his 16th year looked at him bravely, putting a protective arm around his little sister. Zowzer, who was now the size a small horse lifted his head bravely.

"Just let 'em try!" He snapped giving his tail a flick "I'll take em all down"

"Zowzer!" Artemus snapped "This is not a game!"

"Merlin, get on your fathers back we need to find a safe place to hide, Adiana your with me, Zowzer don't you leave my side for a second understand?" Anmres ordered, the children obeyed and quickly they took off through the trees.

They ran past the cliff faces of a large mountain hoping to reach the caves a few miles down however before they could think Knights descended upon them. Merlin yelled as he was thrown from his fathers back and into the under bush.

Adiana screamed as she was thrown against the wall of rock opposite merlin. Zowzer gave a snap and leapt onto one of the knights taking him down. Merlin stood and summoned all the power he could and blew back the knights coming close to him with a scream.

"Yeah Merlin!" Called Zowzer with a laugh, he had turned to face his big brother, he wasn't watching his back the knight came up behind him sword at the ready.

"Zowzer behind you!" Merlin yelled, too late Zowzer turn too late and the sword was through his chest, the poor feline stumbled for a few seconds before falling to the ground, dead.

Adiana screamed as she saw it happen, Amnres came out a roar of pain for her child and immedietly killed the man with sword with one swing of her enraged paw.

"Artemus, take the children I will hold them off!" Amnres called and she took on another knight, they seemed to be coming from all directions.

"No!" Merlin yelled "Mother I wont leave!"

"Run!" His mother yelled turning to face the attackers just in time a sword was bought down, slashing his mothers face. Merlin screamed, though it couldn't be heard over his mothers pained cry followed by "Go Merlin!"

Merlin turned and ran. His father and sister just behind him, quickly he helped Adiana onto his fathers back. They kept running up the side of the cliffs till they reached the lake. Merlin grabbed his sisters hand to get onto his fathers back without having to stop running when his foot slipped, as did his grip of Adiana's hand.

"Merlin!" Artemu's voice screamed as he watched his second sons eyes widened as he plunged down the cliffside and into the churning water of the river.

"Will...will he survive that fall?" Asked Adiana still sobbing, loosing both her brothers within the space of five minutes.

Artemus could hear the Amnres running up the hill side, the knights were not far behind her, they had to keep moving. With a frustrated roar Artemus took off again. Merlin would have to wait to be found, if he was to be found at all

-BREAK-

Artemus ran down the river for miles, he sniffed the air for the millionth time, still no trace of his sons scent. Amnres had gone back to find Zowzer's body, they had buried him by an old oak.

Artemus was distraught, how could he have failed so terribly. His youngest son was dead, his oldest lost. he hung his head shamefully. he knew Merlin was most likely dead at the bottom of the river, he was such a small boy for his age, he most likely died the moment he hit the water.

"I'm so sorry Hunith" Artemus mumbled to his reflection in the stream "I'm sorry Merlin"