Forks in the Path to Destiny

A/N: War is going to be official here.

Chapter 25: Ready for War

The study was full of chatter as Galahad, Kay, Malcolm and Brigid were there talking about the excitement of the early evening approaching. Galahad was wiping some dirt of his sword, Kay was reading a small book while Brigid sat with Malcolm on the couch and were looking out the window together. They were spending the late morning and early afternoon just relaxing until the hustle and bustle would begin in the mid afternoon. It was the final day of the Founding Festival. For the finale Malcolm and his fellow musicians will be performing a few songs as well as a new one that they had been working on for the last week. It would take place at the training grounds where it was flat, wide and close to the forest. Also...Connor was planning on having Emrys give flying rides to pairs during the festivities. Being in the air as music was playing...the people would be going wild for it, especially the couples. The ground would have tables of fine meat and fish prepared with a large space in between for people to dance and have fun.

They sky was looking promising and it seemed like their final day of celebrating Albion's founding had been blessed.

"I wish Clara was coming," said Galahad as he looked his sword over. "I've been missing her and Garrett deeply." Clara was...well I guess you could call her Galahad's wife though they hadn't made it official. Garrett was their now 12 year old son and the two of them lived on Eire.

"You could've brought them for the festival," said Kay. "You know that Connor would've let you borrow Emrys if you had asked."

"Well yes, but with the King of Camelot here now, I didn't want to take any chances."

Kay gave a small nod. "Yeah...King Arthur would've been torn to pieces."

At that, the four of them broke into giggle fits that lasted for a good five minutes. Once they settled back down, they went back to their solitude relaxation until the door burst open and the charged servant Rafe came storming in breathing erratically.

"Sirs...Master...there...forest." He was panting so hard that they could only hear every other word or so.

Kay got up and put his hand on Rafe's left shoulder. "Rafe, you have to calm down. We can barely understand you. Breathe in. Breathe out." Rafe was started to settle a little and after a minute he was nearly content. "Good, now start over."

"Sorry to disturb you all. But Lord Connor was called away by Sir Flint. Apparently, a person from our allied neighbor village came into Albion a bloody mess asking for Connor. He wished for you, Sir Galahad and Master Malcolm to be told as soon as possible."

Galahad and Malcolm shot up to their feet immediately. "How long ago was this?" asked Malcolm.

"Just over a minute ago," answered Rafe.

"What's going on?" asked Brigid who was still in her seat looking a little panicked.

"Brigid, stay here," said Malcolm as he rushed out the door with Kay and Galahad trailing behind him.

Brigid knew that behavior. That was 'There is something going on that is bad yet we can't say anything yet' behavior. "Rafe," she said drawing the servant's attention away from the door.

"Lady Brigid," he said with a small bow of the head.

"Go to the Academy and stand by at the bell tower for the next three hours. If there is a green flash in the sky then ring the alarm bells."

"My lady?"

"Do it," she said with a harder voice.

Rafe shook away any confusion he had. "At once," he said before he ran out the door himself.

Once Rafe was gone, Brigid took one look out the window to catch a glimpse of her husband and two friends rush past the gates before she too sprinted out of the room. She knew where to head them off.

Flint and Connor suddenly appeared out of thin air to where the villager had been laid. Connor didn't know what to expect but it wasn't this. This villager had a deep cut above his eye that was still slowly bleeding. The rest of his face had a few bruises and he was also damp in sweat. His lips were chapped and his breathing was erratic. There was blood splattered all over his front but didn't seem to come from a wound that he had sustained...like it had spilled on him. He was barely conscious and was muttering something almost inaudibly. Looking over him closely, Connor recognized him. He was the brother of one of their best fisherman though he couldn't remember his name.

"Flint," he said kneeling before the man. "Go immediately to the Healing Station. Tell them to prepare a bed and ready wound and exhaustion remedies for this man. I'll take him there slowly."

Flint nodded. "At once my lord." Then Flint was immediately enveloped by a quick burst of flame and vanished hehind it leaving nothing but a small puff of smoke behind.

"Codi A Dilyn Fi" The villager slowly rose into the air and followed behind Connor like he was laying on an invisible stretcher. "You'll be okay friend," he said softly as he looked back at the man. "Make way," he said to some people that were crowding the path into the city. They backed away when they saw the bloody man floating behind him.

Connor moved through the streets and soon came upon Galahad, Kay and Malcolm running towards him. They saw the body behind him and went off to clear the way to the Healing Station. The station itself was a grand building with a red and white flag flapping in front. Inside there were over a dozen cots set up in rows. Currently two of them had occupants in them that had, from the looks of them, been suffering serious ailments but were now slowly recovering from them. There were shelves along the walls with towels, bowls, bandages and jugs of water. Connor knew that the second floor of the building had the pharmacy with a lab for refining herbs and roots for medicine and potions. In Albion there were 15 people that were skilled in the art of healing including Brigid. Of the 15, 8 of them had magic to help them treat patients but no one sold the remaining 7 short. They were skillful in various degrees of treatment and the combined magic and scattered knowledge made the station a true pinnacle of healing.

"Over here Connor."

Connor turned to the direction of the voice and saw that it was Brigid. She was with two of the healers with a cot ready and a collection of bandages and potions at the ready. Galahad, Kay and Malcolm were here as well though they looked a little upset.

"Brigid?"

"I figured that you would end up here with the visitor who was hurt so I came here immediately and got the place ready before these three even showed up."

The man was set on the cot and immediately the three healers went to work. Brigid moved a small cup of water to the man's lips and dampen them while the other two started cleaning the blood off his head and wiping the wound with a cloth dampened with medicinal ointment. They removed his shirt to find that his chest had some more bruises but was thankfully wound free. The blood splattered on it clearly not his own. One of the healers took a bottle of green liquid and doused her hands with it and placed them on the man's chest. She started muttering some words under her breath and her hands started to glow green and she started to rub them along the bruises on his chest. The man soon became conscious and eagerly took big sips from the cup he was offered.

"Careful," said Brigid raising the cup a little. "Nice and easy."

The villager's face was wiped clean and one of the healers was wrapping a bandage with a salve around a bruise that covered his left arm. He was slowly starting to lift himself so that he was now sitting.

"Thank you," he said taking another sip of water.

Connor approached him. "Tell us what happened to you out there."

He stopped drinking and looked slowly at Connor. "Camelot." he said hoarsly.

Gwen was walking with no clear destination in mind. She can't believe that she just lost it like that...but Arthur had it coming. She could still hardly believe it herself even after these few days but with all the magic around her she had little choice but to think on it. She wondered how Merlin or how a good many of these people lived with such a burden. To be able to do such awe inspiring things and yet have to live every moment of your life in complete fear of the place she was proud to call home. The people here aren't at all what she pictured a concentration of magic users would be like. Until recently, she pictured that if more than one ever came together then they would be working towards selfish desires but she didn't see it here in a city of them.

Yet, the people of this city aren't friends to Camelot and like many people of magic she sees that they truly despise Camelot. After learning what she and the others did, she understood why they did. Merlin was probably the only one that didn't resent Camelot but...Arthur was pushing him away. She hadn't properly spoken to him since Arthur had told him to spy on Connor when they first arrived.

"Gwen."

She looked back at the sound of her name and saw her brother and Gwaine heading for her.

"Elyan, Gwaine," she said still walking on.

Gwaine chuckled as they caught up to her. "You had some nice strength behind that slap Gwen."

She started to blush a little in embarrassment. "Well...I never had occasion to use it before like that. Years of being around heavy armor and working in embroidery paid off."

"I'll say." Gwaine was still chuckling while Elyan rolled his eyes.

Elyan came to her side and walked in step with his sister. "Gwen...you want to talk about what happened back at the house?"

Gwen's face became stiff and indifferent. "Not too much. Arthur needed to have some sense knocked into him and fast."

Gwaine stopped smiling and looked around them. The people of Albion were in excited chatter about the final day of their Founding Festival. Galahad had told them that the only reason why they were being so lenient with them was because this festival was a priority for Connor to oversee for the city. With year long fear and hatred for all of the beyond this valley it was a chance for them and the members of the Order of the Bear to truly forget that grim part of their lives and pretend that their world was the exact opposite. For them to truly celebrate their existence and gifts/talents instead of thinking of them as curses or burdens. After the festival was done and they fell into their normal routines of preparing for the worst...who knows what their fate will be. They would definitely need a strong and powerful voice to argue for them in the coming diplomacy and the best one would be Merlin. They didn't have the time for Arthur to be second guessing everything and being seclusive because of some secrets and half-truths suddenly coming to light.

"It might help if we have Merlin with us to knock that sense into him," he suggested.

Elyan and Gwen looked over at Gwaine in amusement for a second before they truly considered what he said. It was a good idea...it might help to have everyone in front of Arthur to snap him out of this self pity.

After a few moments, Elyan suddenly stopped walking almost making Gwaine collide with him. "Together, we might make Arthur have sense again, but even if we did there is still a problem. By this point, Camelot's army should be assembled and heading for this valley. Tristan, Lord Calhoun, Lord Renmar and the other knights will be leading them and most of them jump at the chance to fight against sorcerers."

"That's why we need Arthur in the right state of mind," said Gwen as she looked about at the people around them. "He's the only one that stop them."

"Not to mention save them," said Gwaine. "The warriors and sorcerers in the Order are powerful. Not at all what the knights are used to."

"I know. Galahad and Kay was all they needed to breach Camelot. They certainly could've done more if they wished considering what we've seen here during their training sessions. In a true kill or be killed battle...I don't want to even think about it. The rest of the Order could possibly decimate the army if nothing holds them back."

They mused on Elyan's words for a while until a ball of green light flew above their heads.

"Looks like someone's starting the celebrations for their final day." Gwaine said giving the light a glance before looking back down. "But we don't have time to celebrate with these people...too bad. I heard there was going to be some nice warm mead tonight."

The two siblings gave him a small smile before the air soon became thick with the sounds of bells. Loud tower bells. Warning Bells. When they started, the people around the three started to have panicked looks on their faces and started to move quickly through the streets. Some huddled into the nearest buildings as the guards throughout the city started to move to the edge of the city towards the forest.

"What's happening?" asked Gwen.

"Those must be Albion's warning bells." said Elyan. "Look how crazy everyone is."

"Could this be about the army?" she asked.

Gwaine shook his head. "No, that's not possible. Even if they are mobilized, the men would've carefully and slowly marched to not draw in attention and wait on us if we were held back. The only way they could be here already is if they marched straight here for battle."

"We have to find out what's going on then," Elyan said looking to where uniformed men were heading. "They seem to be heading for the open training grounds close to the forest where Galahad's statue is."

Just then, the three of them were approached by two members of the Order and a guard. They didn't have their weapons out but they weren't at ease. One of the members pointed at them. "You three...you're coming with us."

"Why?" asked Gwen.

"Don't ask questions and just come with us," he said sternly. At the sight of Gwaine and Elyan tensing up for a fight he exhaled deeply to calm himself. "We don't want to hurt you so don't force us to and just follow us. Your king and the others are already waiting for you to join them."

At that, they immediately complied and followed the men for the training clearing.

Connor, Kay, Galahad, Malcolm and Sir Kalen were in the front of the clearing by the treeline overlooking the hustle and bustle. The clearing filled with people as neat and orderly as it could. The news that the villager had both disturbed and angered the first four as they heard what unfolded. Camelot had assembled an army and had attacked their neighbor village. The villagers had managed to move the magic users settling there to the Labyrinth and away from their wrath. Unfortunately, one hadn't been hidden and his magic had been seen. Now the village was being turned inside out and the villagers were at Camelot's mercy. At least one had been slain and who knows how many others may be dead or wounded...on Albion's behalf.

As soon as the story was done, Connor had immediately called for the Order to be assembled and to prepare the city for the imminent threat. Luckily, Brigid had been ready for the latter as she shot her signal for the Warning Bells to be rung. Those bells didn't ring often. It was common knowledge that those bells were used to alert the city's people stay indoors and be cautious. The sight of Connor flying in the air caught many people's attention and saw that he was heading for the training clearing so the Order and the city's guards moved to the clearing for instruction. They were all confused and worried. This was supposed to be the place for their final celebration and now it was to be a place with news of a crisis.

As the men assembled, the five of them caught the sight of King Arthur and his party minus Merlin being guarded and watched at a far off corner under guard. They would need them under closer and stricter watch then ever now.

Galahad chose that moment to step forward when it seemed that most of the men from the Order and the city's guard had arrived. "Defenders of magic and Albion, we have a crisis imbending. It would seem that the forces of Camelot are coming this way intent on attacking our city." This immediately caused some murmurs to break out amongst them but Galahad didn't stop talking. "Deep down...we all knew this day would come. That we couldn't hide forever here and, once found, we would immediately face threats from the Five Kingdoms."

"How did they find us Sir Galahad?" shouted one from the crowd. They looked to see that it was the newly anointed Sir Cade.

Galahad glanced at the Camelot party for a second before returning his gaze to the men. "That's still being looked into but we have bigger issues."

Sir Kalen then stepped forward. "Our focus should now be on securing this city. Let it be spread throughout the city. All those willing and able are to head to the Armory Tunnels and ready themselves, except for the young children of course. All the citizens not fighting are to go to the docks and placed in the ships. Some of you guards and Order members will be charged with their safety. If the worst happens...at least they can be sheltered on Eire. Who amongst you is willing to stand against Camelot's approaching forces?"

Every one of the Order of the Bear there and the guards in uniform pumped their fists up to show they were willing. Their faces had fierce determination and were looking at their leaders with unclouded vision and loyalty. At the sight of all of their fellow comrades willingness they broke into cheers.

Kay stepped forward now. He clapped his hands and projected his voice out. "You know what to do! Move!"

As the men moved to follow those orders Connor called for his friends attention. "Galahad. Kalen. I want you two to organize their mobilization. Get them suited up and armed with the best speed and care that you can." The two of them nodded their heads. "Malcolm, I want you to oversee the protection of the people and their movements to the docks. Get the ships ready to depart in case of...well you know."

"Of course," he said with a emotional squeak.

"Kay, I want you to guard Arthur and his knights. Make sure that they are secured and safe. They are the determining factor in Camelot's actions and I want to have as much control over their response as possible."

Kay gave a slight nod. "I'm on it. What about you Connor?"

"I'm going to call for Emrys, Cubby and the others to have the animals in the forest aid us in any way they can. And...I'll also find Merlin. I'll need to know where he stands in all of this. Has anyone seen him? I don't think I've seen him all day."

They shook their heads. Merlin hadn't been seen since last night. Malcolm hadn't seen him since he verbally spared with him over Arthur and Merlin's actions or lack of. Malcolm somewhat felt sorry for how harsh he had been but he didn't regret it. He hoped that he had managed to open his eyes and not let Merlin be blinded by loyalty to a king overpowering doing what is right.

"Let's move," said Connor taking off.

Kay went off to where they had last seen Arthur being secured to find the place empty.

"Men?" Kay looked around and noticed some evidence of something being dragged. He followed it to the forest and saw something blue sticking out from a shrub. He went to investigate to see two guards and one of the Order members knocked out cold and stripped of their weapons. "Damn it. Not good," he said looking back to the city.

The citizens of Albion were moving through the farming fields for the mountain tunnel that led to the docks. They moved in an orderly fashion with two dozen guards and a handful of Order members already suited up and watching over them under Malcolm's supervision. His wife was with all the city's healers at the Healing Station to ready the place for any who would need treating for the confrontation to come.

The able bodied men ran through the streets to where there was hatches open in the middle of them leading underneath the city. There were rows of uniforms and armor for the citizens to wear. Next to the uniforms were swords, lances, spears, bows, arrows in quivers and shields. Of them all, only the shields were enchanted to be stronger against blows and resistant to magic. The men and older teenagers willing to fight got themselves suited up and grabbed the weapons they felt comfortable with. They ran up the tunnels back to the streets with their weapons at the ready and moved themselves to defend their home at the assigned positions.

The entire spectacle was seen by Arthur and the others who couldn't help but be impressed by the how ordered their mobilization was. Arthur, Leon and Elyan had the swords they took from the three men that were watching them. Percival, Gwaine and Leon had knocked them out as soon as they heard the announcement that their army had attacked the nearby village. That was the signal that they couldn't stand idle any longer and had to take drastic action. Luckily, those men were caught up in the news that it gave them the opening to break free from the Order's sights and semi arm themselves. Arthur considered to attempt to try and go down to the Armory beneath the city streets but it was too risky with the Order members overseeing the entrances. They all had intense looks on their faces and he remembered that all of them had their faces committed to memory. With their army heading for Albion...they could be out for blood.

Gwen was starting to tremble with all of this anxiety everywhere. She never been more scared even when Camelot had been attacked. This attack was coming from Camelot and these people of magic were unlike any others that they've met. Powerful, ordered, and worst of all...innocent. That last one made this all more scary. Nothing good could come from this. 'Merlin,' she thought. 'Where are you?'

Meanwhile, out in the forest of Gedref, the army of Camelot had started to march into it with their eyes open and spirits high to fight and reclaim their king.

End of Chapter 25

Codi A Dilyn Fi - Rise and Follow Me