"Flight" (Rose)
Once atop my steed and riding through the forest, I have nothing to go on other than a tug I cannot explain from within me, pulling me this way and that. My gaze stumbles across a set of footprints in a clearing. We rip through the trail that leads to hoof prints. "Even better," I remark aloud. My eyes are quick to pick up signs of disturbance and my feet are swift to action, urging Storm onward. Keeping on the tracks for hours, we stop- only once- to eat. We press on well into the afternoon, the setting sun lowering above the trees.
When the evening falls, and the stars twinkle overhead, a sense of shock strikes me when that's not the only thing I spot over the reach of the woods. Smoke rises in the distance, and it is not the amount that would come from a mere campfire. I pause in confusion. An enormous flying creature surges up and through the air. Relief and a new fear washes over me when I make the connection that Kilgharrah has aided Merlin, but my keen eyes see that he clutches a limp figure in one of his set of talons. With my worries realized, an injured Merlin is whisked away from me by means of dragon in flight.
My first inclination is to trace after him, but that is soon discouraged when I come across yet another not-so-welcomed sight. An army larger than any I have ever seen is marching on course for Camelot. Now, my only hope is to return to the city and warn Prince Arthur before it's too late, and I fear that may already be so.
"The Task at Hand" (Merlin)
I begin to stir, pain surging through my body with every bit of movement. Sweat covers my brow, a cool breeze sticking to the wetness as I crane my neck to see Kilgharrah keeping watch over me. "I didn't think you'd answer my call," I admit to him, thankful to be wrong.
"Merlin," he begins in fact, "I could not resist a Dragonlord, even if I wanted to."
I feel at ease to share my feelings as well. "I'm grateful. Thank you." I attempt to sit, moaning with the onslaught of hurt, and give up.
"Lie still," he orders me with tenderness.
A quavering "Ow," escapes my lips, "What hurts?"
"The Serket's poison is powerful," the dragon explains in a learned voice. "I have given you an enchantment that will help you heal. But it will take time."
I exhales sharply in relent, relaxing and letting my mind recess, although never letting go of the task at hand. I must fight this. I must get back to Camelot. I must save Arthur.