Chapter 2:Camelots allegiance

"Are you positive?"Khyren asked Peter,"I find it troublesome that he could be so far from our grasp," Peter and him were disscussing Zaff's wereabouts inside Khyren's house,located opposite the church.

"Yes. You told me he used six runes to teleport.Five are obviously air runes due to the white markings you described. And of course the sixth had to be a law rune due to the fact that without it teleportation would be impossible," Peter paused and took a sip of water from a cup resting on the small table in front of him,'' And the only spell that uses those runes is the camelot teleport,"Peter looked up at Khyren as he ended his explanation.

Khyren sighed and stroked the many notches on his oversized bow.

"I still fail to see how you figure that he is in camelot,"Khyren continued to argue.

"Then you obviously are clueless as far as magic is concerned," Peter scoffed," I cant be bothered explaining myself but I can assure you that there is no way he could have teleported anywhere BUT camelot,"

Khyren looked up from his bow.

"Very well we will set out for camelot come nightfall," Khyren looked very serious.

"My good sir, that leaves us only a few minutes," Peter exclaimed in surprise.

"If he is there he wont be for long, news is spreading throughout the land of Roalds murder and it will reach the western land by morning," Khyren explained.

"I see, it is a shame you are not skilled with magic, then we could teleport there," Peter spoke sadly as he eyed the window wich had begun to grow dark.

"It would not work my friend," Khyren said as he stood," We could not gain access to the required runes, Aubury sold all his magical objects after Roalds murder, of course because the murderer was a mage,"

He took a small pack and shoved a few provisions into it.

"I hope you like the taste of bread and Cod, they're the only food I have here," He strapped the pack on and lifted up his bow.

"Actually I dont fancy their taste, but dont worry yourself, I can make my own food,"Peter said as he counted his runestones.

"Well then, lets be on our way," Khyren tugged Peters robes. Peters gave a grunt and pushed his runes into a small satchel.

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Khyren and Peter were trudging past the gates to the wealthy lands.

They had only been walking for an hour and already Khyren began to gripe.

"You say its possible to teleport great distances yet you seem confident Zaff remains in Camelot. Couldnt he teleport somewhere else just as easily?"

Peter shook his head and dodged a crying boy in his way.

"Why do you doubt me so? If he teleported now he'd appear in a busy city, and as you said news of his crime will have reached almost all ears in the land by the rising of the sun," Peter looked over and saw Khyrens face, wearing an expression of defeat.

"Why is it you are so angry at me?" Peter asked.

"Im not...Its just that ever since Zaff escaped from me I've been in a foul mood." Khyren muttered as they trudged along.

"It is not your fault," Peter said firmly.

"It is...Not only does it disgrace me that the king was murdered because I let my gaurd down but also that I missed my mark when i was blinded by rage. I could have killed that swine had I only aimed a little to the left, but instead I struck his ear," Tears formed in is eyes," I beg you not to kill him. Out of all the shots I've made..."Khyren passed his spare hand over the many notches in his bow," That is the only one thats missed its mark,"

"Though I respect your wish I fear that Zaff might best you in combat, after all the spell that ended Roalds life and destroyed the door behind him as well couldnt have been his mightiest, after all he cast it with such speed Roald could not alert you before it was to late," Peter looked up from a rune he was admiring.

They had come to the base of white wolf mountain and were being edged on by the cold wind. The moon shined brightly in the sky iliuminating the darkness and exposing numerous wolves hiding in the shadows. Khyren eyed them. Suddenly there was a yelp and the beautiful nightime scene was stained with a wolfs blood. Khyrens bow was raised.

"That fool could never defeat me," Khyrens eyes were gleaming with fury," I may not know much about mages but I do know they are not as physically able as one such as myself, if a single arrow can pierce a wolfs hide it can cut through a humans paper thin flesh and organs with ease,"

The wolves growled and began picking apart their fallen comrade. Many snaps echoed about the mountain side. When they ceased all the wolves were dead. Peter frowned.

"That couldnt help balance anything, now the children of those wolves will go hungry and be killed by the ice deitys living on the mountain,"

"I wasnt aiming on balancing anythign but my pride," Khyren strode on Peter glaring at him from behind his back. Khyren fastened his pace in a concious attempt to stay ahead of Peter.

After a half hour of walking they were on their way down the other side of the mountain in awkward silence. A dead tree nearby gave a moan as if great pressure was being applied on it. Peter looked over into the darkness.

" Khyren wait!" Peter yelled, but it was to no avail. A tree cracked and impacted Khyren with such force that he was knocked unconcious.

Peter peered into the darkness. Two red eyes met his. A deep throated growl came from the creature as it smashed through another dead tree. As the beast emerged from the darkness it became obvious that it was an oversized wolf. Saliva dripped from its mouth as its tounge moistened the fur covering its jaw.

Peter took a glance at Khyren and realized he was still alive and slowly recovering. Peter slowly reached into his satchel and drew out a number of runestones. The wolf let out a deafening howl and lunged forward. A bolt of flames errupted from Peters hands and flew into the wolf's face. It shrugged off the attack and let into Peter with tremendous force. He let out a scream and was instantly struck by a claw. He rolled off the edge of a steep cliff and crashed to the ground bellow. He knew something had been damaged but didnt have time to think about what it was. Over the cliff the wolf came howling as it fell towards him.

Peter reched into his bag of runes and pulled out a handful.

"Guthix help me I never desired to use this stone,"He said as he raised his hands, clutching it and soem fire and air runes.

An enourmous wave of flames, crackling with energy passed over the wolf. The entire mountain side was illuminated with a redish glow as the wolf's howl died away. Ashes rained down upon Peter, along with a few bones. Peter grabbed them and five runes, there was a quick flash and now in their place were four bannanas. He peeled one and shoved it down his throat. He realized that Khyren was not far from him and pulled himself towards him. He forced a piece of bannana into Khyrens mouth. Khyrens eyes opened partially and he mumbled something.

"Quiet just eat," Peter said hastily as he peeled another bannana.

"Not hungry..." Khyren muttered weakly.

There was a noise from the distance and a fridgid breeze came at them.

"We need to leave now," Khyren said as he forced himself not his feet.

"The ice spirits have been disturbed and are no doubt coming this way,"He helped peter to his feet.

"Hurry down side of the mountain, we need not take the path, we are running late enough and it is not a treacherous road,"Khyren said with frustration. Peter nodded and cautiously made his way down the rocky mountain side. Close to the bottom peter stumbled and fell. He landed at the bottom and waved at Khyren to come.

With a little hesitation Khyren began to make his way down the slope. Upon arriving at the base of the mountain Peter offered him the banna wich was now gratefully accepted.

"Thanks," Khyren mumbled, still dazed from the tree's impact.

"You saw how I destroyed that wolf correct?"Peter asked.

"No but I sure as hell smelled it!"Khyren replied humorously.

"Well I hope you know now not to underestimated a desperate mages power," Peter shot at him.

"Hey, I could have slew that monstrosity had it not caught me off gaurd," Khyren replied defensively.

"That is irrelevant," Peter said as they walked across catherby's

beach.

Khyren looked across the water and did not reply.

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As the sun rose the two adventurers were finally at Camelot's gates.

The woodcutters had begun to emerge from their homes and go about what they do best, chop wood. Peter and Khyren began questioning various locals about Zaff.

"His skin is dark, his hair long and black," Peter described to one man.

"And hes missing an ear," Khyren added smugly.

"Nope I havent seen such a person about these parts," The man answered and gestured towards Camelot.

"The Knights of the Round Table might be able to assist you, they deal with all the...erm weird happenings that occur here,"

The two set off back to the gates, wondering if Zaff had eluded them.

"Do you think they will really assist us?" Peter asked Khyren.

"Perhaps, Camelot's allegiance to Roald has always been strong," Khyren replied with little hope.

They made their way past the fountains lining the walkway. On one wall was a large burn mark, the smell of smoke still lingered in the air. They pushed open the large door leading to the castle's main hall. Within was a disturbing sight.

Burn marks covered the hall, the round table in the center of the room was split in two. Bones covered the ground along with suits of armor. There was some blood splattered on a burnt wall and across floor bellow.

"Oh my..." Peter stared at the destruction in horror. He stumbled forward and began to weep. Nearby a door creaked open. Khyren raised his bow and took aim. However a man in a gleaming suit of armor emerged. His left arm amputated and the stub where it once rested covered by a heat blister. He wore a white headband stained with blood and wielded a short white blade.

"King Arthur!" Khyren exclaimed,"What happened here?"

"The treacherous one..." King Arthur spoke with a weak voice.

"He nearly killed me too,"The King inhaled.

"He came offering thousands of runestones for our wizard merlin in return for some food. When he arrived in Merlins quarters he struck Merlin with his staff and seized all of Merlins runes. With those he killed all my men and nearly me, however I shattered his staff and he decided to let time kill me, thankfully he did not kill merlin who teleported, where I do not know,"The King gave a wheeze and collapsed.

"Please tell merlin he was like a father to me..." Arthur closed his eyes and with a final heave joined his fathers.

Peter and Khyren stared in complete horror.

"That worm!"Peter roared,"I dont care if I must pass Zamorak himself, I will destroy that scum!" He burst out in tears.

"What did they do to deserve this fate?" He sobbed,"They were good men who he fooled and killed!"

"yes, and I must say it was quite enjoyable!" The insane voice echoed throughout the hall.

Standing at the stairs leading to the second floor was Zaff, hair wild, eyes staring at Khyren and Peter madly.

" I hope you know none of this had to happen!" Zaff began, walking towards them a few steps," Roald and I were good friends until that little incident you know. I guess my brother was right about you saradominsts, you really are fools who get so upset over the loss of a single life,"He began to circle them," But...at least now I've made that realization, and best of all when your out of the picture no one will have a chance of catching me! Anyway..." Zaff regained his composure," Enough pointle-"

"You say one life is nothing to get upset about losing?" Peter asked.

"correct" Zaff laughed"

"Lets see you say that about yours!" A blast of intense power shot from Peters hands as he yelled.

Zaffs eyes widened as the spell came at him. He managed to duck but was struck by another faster spell in the leg.

"Amazing! You seem to know a blast spell! That requires some knowledge," Zaff drew out a law and a few other runes.

"Oh well I suppose you thought you had me!" Zaff began laughing as a spiral of energy encircled him.

"What!"Zaff screamed unable to move.

Khyren fitted an arrow onto his bow and pulled back teh string.

"Please!Spare me, Im just a hopeless man!Please spare me!Please!" Zaff pleaded.

"Now your the one whos begging for life, even though you claim it is nothing," Khyren let the arrow fly.

It lodged itself into Zaffs throat.Blood began to flow from his neck. He slumped to the floor, A huge smile on his face.

The runes he still held began to glow and in a purple flash he was gone.