Chapter 21

The sun beat down heavily upon the weary travellers as they embarked on their last journey to Camelot. No more stops, no more delays. They rode in a single file line through the thick, lush greenery, shimmers of light breaking through the treetops, the light dancing merrily across the leaves. As a way of amusing himself, Carmen tried to make outlines from the shapes. The wind blew constantly, varying in speed and strength. This resulted in a strange melodic tune that rung through the trees, bringing the forest to life with natures song. The ;eaves where thrust place to place, shaking violently before slowing down and bouncing softly with aid of its stem. It was as if the spirits of the forest where celebrating the return of the prince. He was sure the forest was more than plants and vegetation. He was sure it was alive. He knew it sounded impossible but sometimes he would see something move that seemed unexplainable at the time. He was sure that even as an infant, he had heard the cries of the trees that were being cut down for houses. Their cries were beautiful but heartbreaking. The majesty of the voice with the tragedy of the pain just saddens ones heart. Strong smells of far away flowers caught in Carmen's nose as the winds swept them silently through natures network to grace anyone who may be admiring the true beauty of the world they live in.

What a wonderful world he thought to himself

"Arthur, how far now?"

Arthur turned on his horse to face Carmen.

"Not long, it should be over the horizon in a few minutes. I heard you sneak into Bella's tent last night. What's the matter? Nightmares?" teased Arthur

Carmen realised this was a joke and so did not overreact. He smiled and looked at Bella.

"Well at least I'm in love, what about you. You and your horse seem to have…err…bonded while we where away"

Arthur grinned clearly enjoying the conversation.

"Indeed we have. Ho noble steed! What say you to a kiss?"

He bent toward the head of the horse and kissed it. Immediately it bucked but Arthur held on tight. It sneezed in disgust. Carmen and Bella burst out in laughter, Bella's laugh rising high above the others, her hair soaring in every direction, shimmering in the sunbeams.

Suddenly the laughter was broken as a piecing scream came for the distance. It rang through the forest, shaking the very trees themselves. Arthur and Carmen quickly unsaddled from their horses and unsheathed their swords, the metallic melody sounded in their ears. More screams came from every angle. Whatever it was they were being surrounded. Bella retrieved her bow from the side of the saddle and strung it on her back before climbing the nearest tree and finding a good place to attack from. She shouted:

"Scorpions! Get ready! Over 20 of them. We must have hit a nest!"

Carmen looked at Arthur.

"Race you. The loser buys the drinks at The Tavern."

"You're on"

Both men felt exited. They hadn't had to fight since the raiders. Finally, the exercise they needed. Carmen was still a little tired from his "waterfall adventure". The black beasts came stalking down the hillsides paired. Never alone. Their charcoal black carapaces glistening in the light, harder than stone. Their tails, uncovered and raw, pulsating with red venom than ran throughout their veins. The stinger, a huge spherical ball that ended in a sinister, twisted point, glinting with fresh venom. Their insectile legs, skittering toward them, twisted and tangled with determination to reach their prey. Eyes glowed bright orange, three of them, staring at them, glaring as they rushed toward their victim, ready to eat. The mouths slavering with fresh liquid, ready to devour their flesh. Snapping ensued as their pincers clapped together in unison, all of them as they surrounded the convoy. Above the pincers, a series of screeches and clicks could be heard as the insects conversed amongst themselves.

"Ok" whispered Arthur "This is going to be a problem"

Bella's voice came from above them

"How are you holding down there? I'm starting to think this isn't going to be as easy as predicted…"

Arthurs voice replied in equal strength

"Our thoughts exactly…"

Two of the beasts charged at Carmen.

"Arthur, take one!" Carmen shouted

Arthur stepped in and tapped one on the leg, infuriating it and causing it to attack him.

"Got it…" came his reply as he engaged in battle with it.

Another cam from the hilltops and ran bravely at Arthur as he was distracted by another. Bella raised her bow, strung an arrow and fired. It soared through the air, whistling as it went and struck the beast in its eye stalk. It screeched and screamed as it thrashed about, thrusting its tail into the ground in every direction, blinded by its loss of sight. Ti started to calm. Bella stung another arrow, her eyes directly down the arrow. She raised it slightly to adjust for the wind speed that had sped up after the first shot. The fired. It was fired off coarse before swerving violently into the creatures leg. It roared in pain as the arrow protruded crudely from its joint. The over encumbered creature surrendered and limped back up the hill before disappearing behind a bush. Carmen had fought fiercely with his adversary, as had Arthur and both had emerged victorious. The scorpions started to back away.

"We've done it" exclaimed Bella, "they're retreating…"

Arthur's face became sullen.

"I don't think so…"

As Arthurs words drifted away, the hills became alive with darkness, varying shaped of big and small creatures were sprinting down the sides toward them.

This is it thought Arthur

Without warning, fire erupted from the heavens as arrows flew toward the creatures with inhuman speed, striking each it the back, as it protruded through their bodies. Blood rained everywhere, the venom sprayed over the trees and forest floor. Nature seemed unaffected by the burning, poisonous liquid. It was a miracle alone that no venom had landed on the others. Over a space of 10 seconds, every insect upon the hills of Eielledor had fallen dead at the knees of their masters.

"What just happened?" inquired Arthur, dumfounded.

"I have no idea…" came Carmen's reply

They looked at Bella. Bella looked at them, confused as they were.

Arthur spoke first:

"Did any of you do that?"

"No" came the reply in unison.

Strangely the fire had not spread; the flames only melted away the rock-hard carapaces of the Scorpions, sizzling like acid until there was nothing left. No evidence of what had happened. Bella climb bed down from the tree and landed nimbly in front of Carmen.

"We'll discuss this later, for now lets move, bandits are sure to inhabit these forests, my fathers powers of perception leave something to be desired"

Arthurs wiped his sword of the slimy acid that slid down the blade, corroding it as it went. Noises of hissing could be heard as Arthurs blade became to melt. Arthur went out wipe it away carelessly.

"Don't what do you think your doing? If that stuff eats through steel what's it going to do to you skin?"

Arthur didn't know what to do. He just looked at his sword somewhat expecting it to go away.

"Arthur the grass!" shouted Carmen.

Arthur realised this and rubbed his sword against the fresh grass. The acid slid off like slowly as it was clumpy and sticking to the melted metal. Eventually, it was all, however his blade had become severely scarred and blunt, unusable again in battle. His face looked mortified. He looked on the brink of tears. He sheathed his sword, ashamed.

"Let's go" he said quietly.

Bella and Carmen looked at each other before saddling their horses and riding after Arthur, leaving the battlefield behind.

They hadn't gotten far before a young boy appeared on the roadside. He held a long stick with a clear, crystal gem on top. He looked tired, however his clothes where spotless except for a few green smudges from what looked like tree climbing. It was Draco, the boy that got away. Arthur saw this and jumped off his horse. He looked angry.

"What are you doing here? Why did you leave before?"

No reply came, Draco's face looked confused

"Arthur its no use, he doesn't speak our language"

"I didn't run away. I did not want to be a burden and so I only stayed as long as I needed. I apologise if I have offended you…"

The reply came as a shock as all seemed taken aback from his extensive improvement.

"You speak? Why did you not speak before? Never mind, come with us, we have questions for you"

The boy seemed unphased.

"As you wish" came the calm reply.

Bella saddled Carmen's horse and gave Draco hers.

As he climbed atop Bella's horse, he came beside Arthurs.

"What is you name boy, I will need to know as we are about to return to the kingdom of Camelot…" demanded Arthur.

"My name sir, is Merlin, and yours?"

"Arthur, this is Carmen and Bella, let us be off"

Arthurs mood lightened at the though of finally returning home and presenting this boy to the king as an apology for his insolence. Soon everything would be fine again.