First of all, I want to apologize to you because I won't be able to update it every week from now on. It's going to be every two Saturdays. I hope this chapter will make up for it and you'll forgive me (or you'll hate me for making you wait so long to see what happens next). That being said, I'll start answering the only review I got.

Merille Marc, as I'm grateful for your nice reviews. You remind me every time that there is someone waiting for the next chapter. I hope you will stay until the end. The story is going to get more and more complex. Things might explode every moment from now on... let's hope Merlin makes the right choice.

A sound of war

For a moment, Morgana didn't know how to react. Eventually, she found her voice, but it was weak and dry.

"What have you done!" She meant it to sound accusing and harsh, but the words didn't come out that way. She sounded more like a tiny cub than the tigress she was so confident she was.

After she'd got over the shock, Morgana ran to Hunith and kneeled next to the dying woman. Hunith hardly had any life left inside. Yet she grabbed the witch's hand in hers.

"Take care of Merlin. Please." Her voice was low and every sound demanded her a lot of effort.

"Don't….speak." Morgana sobbed trying to hold back her tears. She didn't know why she was crying. She'd gotten so whiny lately. It was the second time in the same day she was crying without a reason.

"He just wants to be loved." Hunith went on. "Promise me."

Morgana didn't know what to say. She knew that Merlin must have been dead already and if he wasn't, he was her enemy, anyway. She couldn't make such a promise.

"Please. He's so lonely." She begged again. "Promise...me."

"He isn't lonely. He has a lot of friends." Morgana added. She had always envied Merlin for making friends so easily. For being so happy. So carefree.

"No." The woman continued, her voice getting weaker and weaker with every second. "He...doesn't know it. He….is too...afraid of...not being accepted….he never...dared...He cares for...you. He...has always ..he….wanted to….tell you, but….I...you were the king's ward."

"Merlin has never cared what other people say or think about him. He has only been...him."Arthur intervened "And everybody loves him. He will never be alone." The king assured, trying to provide her some comfort. He was also struggling with his tears. Tears he hadn't dared to l

Et fall.

"We'll take care of him." The knights promised.

"None could protect him." Eugene laughed. "If he isn't already dead, he will be soon." Despite his words, he wasn't that sure he would manage to kill Merlin. He'd had him in his grip and he'd let him escape.

Eugene kept pacing around, shocked and furious he hadn't figured out from the start. He should have known the boy was hiding something. His story was stupid. Completly stupid…. "He's just a stupid..peasant boy."

"Promise me." Hunith insisted.

"I can heal you." Morgana declared, surprised she hadn't forgotten about her magic abilities. But as soon as she tried to reach her magic she realized the energy inside her was gone.

"No, you can't." Eugene spoke confidently. "By tonight, I'll have all your magic… It was a piece of cake to make you wear the necklace." He laughed. "It will block your magic."

"You're a monster." She cried, but Hunith's voice brought her attention back to the woman.

"Promise…" Hunith begged again with the last breath it was left inside her.

"I…." Morgana muttered, but it was too late. Hunith couldn't hear her any longer. She'd already left her. Then she heard confident steps thundering on the stone pavement, getting closer and closer.

"Sarrum" she heard Prince Eugene addressing someone and her blood went cold in her veins. She didn't dare to raise her eyes for fear of what she would see.

Here he was. Bulky, bold and cruel. Standing next to her.

"Spear your words, little prince. I have business here and you better not interfere with it." The man warned him coldly.

Then he approached Hunith's body and kneeled next to her. He spent some moments in deep silence before he was brought back to reality by prince Eugene's voice. Morgana had studied him with fear. She couldn't read a thing on his face. It was as cold as the one of an ice statue. No emotion gave life to his features. Coldness was engraved on every inch of his skin.

Morgana was petrified. The memory of the days spent in the pit crossed her mind and lingered there like a never ending nightmare. Instinctively she made some steps behind, trying to get as far as possible from him.

"What are you doing?" Prince Eugene asked, trying to hide his discomfort. That man was really intimidating. Arthur, Gwen and the knights were also watching the man with curiosity. There came no answer. The prince kept toying with his fingers in order to calm his nerves. He didn't dare to ask the second time.

"I'm your ally, Eugen, am I not? Just give some moments and I'll tell you what I've found during my absence. " Sarrum dictated, but he didn't turn his head to the prince, not even for a second. He just stood there, wrapped into some sort of trance.

Sarah and Kira walked inside the room, too. None of them said a thing. Prince Eugene watched Kira, waiting for a confirmation. The witch kneeled down to the ground without saying a word.

"You know you've made a mistake by killing that woman, don't you?" Sarrum stood up and scolded the prince.

"She's just a peasant. " He retorted as if trying to convince himself he is in charge of the situation.

"And the mother of a dragon. Do you know what it is said that Flemorias do to their enemies?" The warlord spoke again.

"He's just a serving boy." Eugene added, but he hardly could convince himself, least of all the others. He was so shaken that he didn't dare to wonder how the warlord knew about Flemorias or about his cousin. The last time they spoke he hardly heard about Drakar. But even so, Sarrum had made a strong impression on him from the first word he spoke. His hatred of magic was only a justification for his vile actions. Sarrum hadn't refused to be brought by magic in Drakar and neither had he opposed the plan to end a deal with a sorcerer as long as that sorcerer would keep his part of the deal: lots of gold and the witch as a trophy for him.

"A dragon might be mistaken for a bird from a distance, but it's still a dragon. Legend says they will burn their enemies to ashes. What do you think your cousin will do when he finds out you killed his mother?"

"He's dead." Eugene cried, but he'd started to pace around. "Kira?" he gulped.

"It was hardly her fault. I was around...with my men. The queen went to walk towards the mountains. I followed her. According to the plan. My man was ready to kill her and then we noticed the boy and a dragon. A huge speaking dragon. The dragon burned everything around him. Kira had no option, but to run away. My men were useless against him. But don't worry. Merlin will come back...now he has a reason to look for you." If the man had tried to encourage the prince, his last sentence only made the last tremble like a leaf.

Arthur felt relieved hearing that Merlin was alive, but then he started to realize the meaning of the things that man had said.

"Merlin is….your cousin?" Arthur stammer. "Why didn't he tell me?"

"Hasn't the prince said that his cousin is the old man?" Percival couldn't help asking as he connected the dots and he got a lot of eyes on him, including Morgana's who got as far as possible from Sarrum and as a result very close to her brother. So, she heard the conversation.

"Emrys. Merlin is Emrys." Morgana muttered mechanically. Now that she said it aloud, it seemed so obvious.

"Yes, he's Emrys." Sarrum declared."I've heard a lot of things about him...about that famous Emrys, but I've never expected to see him. A feeble, skinny boy who can't even handle a sword."

"I need to send people." Eugene muttered through his teeth. He was confused and scared like a baby.

"Contrary, young prince. I think you should keep your men close to you. Unless you want to send them to their death. He had a dragon. It will be a piece of cake to turn your mighty army into ashes." The warlord advised him.

"Of course. What should I do?"

"You can trust me, Eugene. Kira told me a lot about Drakar history and killing your little cousin will be a real challenge for me. But I like challenges. I hope you know it won't come for free. You need to be cunning. I'll guard you. Kira can give me a hand. I've noticed she's a strong witch." The man flattered with Kira.

"You'll have anything you want. Just ask for it." Prince Eugene promised.

"Right now, if I may, I think it will be wise to get rid of the body. There's no need for the boy to find out about it yet."

"Of course."

"You were lucky she wasn't dead when I found her. I managed to extract precious information. " The prince wanted to speak, but Sarrum stopped him with a sign. "We'll have time to talk later. Do not ask about my methods because you're going to lose your time. Some things can't be shared. Not even between allies."

"I am very grateful. Drakar has many secret treasures I will be happy to share with you. Though, what should I do with the witch? I was intending to take her to the old shrine, but with the dragon in the woods…"

"You can put her next to her brother and his friends for a while. They have a lot to chat about."He answered coldly.

"Shall I kill them?"

"Definitely not. If Merlin comes you can trade their lives for your own. If things get there. They must be kept alive. They will be the perfect bit. Do you really need me to teach you everything?" He retorted angrily. "Now, I need to go."

"Sarah will prepare your chambers until you return. I hope you will have dinner with Kira and me."

"I'll be honored to have such a lovely lady next to lady," he bowed in front of Kira, took her hand in his and kissed it. "Will you be surprised if I were to tell you I can't dance. Will you teach me? Any feast in the near future?"

"It can be arranged."

'Then I'll have to learn quickly. I've heard Drakar's ladies are the most beautiful in the world.``

"You won't be disappointed, My Lord." Kira smiled charmingly.

"See you soon, King Arthur. I hope you'll join us at a future feast, Morgana. We'll see soon." If glances could kill Morgana would have definitely killed him on the spot.

You must be asking why Kara and Sarah sided with Sarrum. You'll have your answer in the next chapter.