Merlin clasped his hands behind his back, looking up at the sky, seeing the dark rain clouds rolling in. It always intrigued him how fast the weather changes in his kingdom, but it made for great entertainment. Merlin heard footsteps behind him, making him jump. He didn't realize anyone would be in the courtyard this early in the morning. Turning his head, he spotted it was his older Brothers, Makarias and Makiss (pronounced like Makee). Both of them had the same outfit on which were the signature black Harem pants with silver embroidery down the side, blue sandals that lace up their legs and finally their tight blue and silver vests with a white blouse on. Both of them had their dangling left earring with a white tassel choker on their throats. Their dark brown hair in a long pointy tail.
Merlin shifted his weight. Because he was from the new queen, he was porcelain white while his brothers were darker skinned than them. They didn't seem to mind since family was family. Merlin looked up, catching their olive green eyes. They smirked.
"Up early are we, Merlin?" Makarias asked, stopping just shy of a white pole.
Merlin shrugged. "Enjoying the early morning before it is interrupted by the busy day." Merlin explained.
Makiss chuckled. "In that outfit? Come on Merlin you haven't even changed out of your sleepwear." Makiss teased.
Merlin scoffed. "Its early. My outfit is ready for the day laid out on my bed."
Makarias shook his head, peeling away from the wall, walking past Merlin, but not before ruffling Merlins long shaggy hair. "Uncle Ruckus and his son will be in by midday. Make sure to be ready by then." Makarias shot, walking with Makiss trailing behind towards the exit of the courtyard. Merlin blew his hair out of his face, before retiring to his room with the escort of his manservant Leonarde.
When he made it back to his room, he peeled out of his sleepwear and started dressing himself. He wore his blue and silver Harem pants, his black sandals that lace up to his ankle. He grabbed his black blouse and blue and silver vest. Once it was on, he had his manservant help him put on his jewelry which consisted of a gold chain that was placed on his head, a few blue topaz hanging onto his forehead. He put his own dangling feather earring and last but not least his own blue and silver choker with the tassel's hanging down his outfit.
"How do I look, Leonarde?" Merlin asked, looking at his own reflection.
Leonarde chuckled. "As amazing as ever, Merls." He said.
In Draconia they didn't believe in the names of ranks. Yes they did say what they were to foreigners but Merlin was just one of the people. His family was held at a higher esteem since they were the leaders of this counter but they didn't believe in the labels as "Sire, King, Prince, and Sir." It was first names. It was considered disrespectful to call someone under something they did. Poverty or not, they believed in equality.
The bells rung, making Merlin jump. He climbed down the stool, running over to the window, he peaked out, seeing his uncle coming in through the gate. Merlin's smile widened when he saw Mordred next to his Father. Him and Mordred were near the same age, 14. They grew up together and were always so close. Seeing him after nearly two years, Merlin was excited.
"Come, Merlin. Shall we go to the throne room?" Leonarde asked.
Merlin vigorously shook his head, stepping down from the window and making his way to the door. Leonarde was behind them as they made their way to the throne room. Makarias and Makiss turned the corner just as Merlin made it to the door. Makarias smirked.
"Wow, I never thought I would see the day where Merlin EMyrs would wear an outfit that wasn't covered in dirt." He joked.
Merlin scoffed. "No need to be so rude, Maka!" Merlin stuck his tongue out, just as Makarias bent down and scooped Merlin up, entering the throne room with a screaming Merlin and laughing Makarias.
His father Balinor and his mother Hunith were both laughing, watching as the boys were arguing. "Makarias, put your brother down." Hunith chuckled.
Makarias laughed, setting Merlin down who punched Makarias in the arm. They all took their seats, hearing the footsteps echo the hallway. When the doors opened, both Ruckus and Mordred came in. They were dressed like other kingdoms, more form fitting and knightley clothes, something that looked unnatural here. Ruckus had his hair slicked back, his hair now down to his shoulder. Merlin also noted he had various scars on his face, one that caused his right eye to become milky. Merlin's gaze looked down at Mordred, but he was taken aback. Mordred was a stone face, no emotion to be seen. He didn't seem to notice Merlin at all, instead he was glaring at Balinor. Merlin felt like he was the only one to notice, suddenly getting a bad feeling in his stomach.
"Ruckus! Good to see you. How was your trip to the East?" Balinor asked.
Ruckus smirked. "Quite a trip." Was all he said.
Balinor chuckled. "Welcome back, then. I hope you are welcomed well while you rest up." He explained.
Ruckus looked over at Merlin, his smile widening. "You seem to have grown quite some. I am quite shocked." He explained. "I will be in Draconia for a few while I resupply to pick up my trip west." He explained.
Balinor nodded. "Let us know what you need. You know our arms are open to anything you require. Don't hesitate." He said.
Ruckus bowed. "I shall keep that in mind. If you will excuse me, the road was long. I need rest." Ruckus turned to the door, sending a look at Mordred. Instantly mordred bowed and followed his father out.
The council meeting was dismissed and Merlin made his way back to his room, thinking on the days events. He knew Mordred looked different and later tonight he intended to get to the bottom of it.
Night fell on Draconia, a lightning storm making the castle feel eerily quiet. Merlin was sitting on the edge of his bed, reading some stories in magic spells when he heard some noises outside of his room. Merlin furrowed his eyebrows, setting down the book he crawled out of his bed, making his way to the door. Slowly he reached for the door, but instantly paused when he saw some red liquid spilling out from under the wooden door.
Merlin gasped, covering his mouth as he backed away from the door. The door to his room jiggled before opening, revealing three men clad in all black with chainmail. They did not look like they were from around here which made Merlin even more scared. He spotted where the blood came from, seeing Leonarde on the ground, his eyes glazed over and his throat slit. Merlin shook where he stood.
The taller one stepped forward, reaching for Merlin. Merlin, remember he had magic, used it to throw them out of his way. Without thinking, he grabbed his cloak, before running out of his room, jumping over Leonarde. Once in the hall he spotted more men attacking his own guards. Merlin gasped, throwing on his cloak he took off in the opposite direction of the men. Merlin ran, his adrenaline pumping. He didn't understand what was happening, all he knew was that people were attacking and they were foreign invaders.
Merlin turned a corner, only to bump into a back. He was sent to the ground. Looking up he spotted it was one of the foreign men. Merlin gasped, scooting back. The man reached down and grabbed a fistful of Merlins shirt, bringing him up to his face. Merlin let out a startled gasp. "Let me go!" He shouted.
The man chuckled. "I don't think so." He said, lifting up a dagger to his stomach, Merlin felt the blade pressed against his abdomen. Merlin closed his eyes, waiting for impact but instead he heard squelching and Merlin was dropped to the ground.
"Merlin!" Makiss shouted. Merlin's eyes shot open and he spotted his brother, both of them holding their fighting spears. Merlin shot forward, hugging his brother tightly. He was shaking, this much made Makiss scared.
"Makarias, hold my spear. I'm going to carry Merlin. We must find Father and Mother." He said, scooping Merlin up in his hands. They started making their way to the throne room, fighting the invaders on the way. When they reached the throne room, they stopped dead in their tracks.
Ruckus stood over Balinor, his sword shoved deep into his chest. Makiss even though his blood was boiling he made sure Merlin wasn't looking, holding his head into his shoulder. Ruckus turned to the door, a smile on his face.
"Ah, the Princes' finally showing up." He kicked balinor in the shoulder, taking his sword out as their father dropped to the floor. "What a nice family bad your mother couldn't join. She was the first to be slaughtered." He chuckled.
"Why?" Makarias growled.
Ruckus smirked. "He was weak. Traveling east has shown me a lot. This kingdom was weak. With the help of the Saxons we can turn this place around. We can be the most feared kingdom." He chuckled, pointing his dropping in blood sword at them. "Now you can join me or you can join your family."
"Go to hell." Makarias barked. "You will pay for this." He said.
Ruckus shrugged. "We will see."
Just then they heard footsteps coming up the stairs. Knowing they need to retreat, they clench their teeth and immediately turned away from the sight, running down the stairs. They made their way to the armory, immediately finding the secure exit that lead to the outside of the kingdom walls. Running out, they were immediately engulfed in rain.
"We need to get as far away as possible!" Shouted Makiss, who held Merlin close.
Makarias nodded, ducking the trees. "I know a place. Ealdor. Its on the border of Lots and Camelot kingdom." He shouted.
"Thats a good weeks ride. On foot it will be longer." Makiss informed.
Makarias nodded. "I am aware of this, Makiss. We are stealing horses!" He shouted.
Makiss nodded. They made their way to the stables which were a good climb away from the kingdom. All of the madness that happened in the night finally catching up with them as they stole two horses. Merlin had fallen asleep sometime in the run, but the nightmare that seemed to stick in his mind. It stuck in all three of their minds and when they were able to soak it in, they were speechless. All that they had built and loved was destroyed in a night. This cut deep and they knew it would stick forever.