Chapter 3 – Something Evil This Way Comes
Merlin was roused from his sleep in the middle of the night by noises coming from outside of his room. He quickly grabbed some clothes and went to see what the ruckus was about.
When he stepped out he saw a little boy spread out on Gaius' table and a woman crying beside him. The physician was searching through his books in a hurry to find the proper remedy. He looked calm and professional but Merlin instantly caught the worry in his eyes.
"What happened?"
"Ah, Merlin! I'll need rosemary, garlic and hawthorn." Gaius looked up from the book to look at him.
As he moved to the table and took a closer look at the small patient he was shocked.
The boy's body was covered in sweat, his skin turned a dark colour where big ulcers festered on his limbs and his whole form was spasming violently.
"Merlin!" Gaius shouted.
As if woken from a trance, Merlin walked to the shelf to gather the ingredients the old man needed for the treatment.
"Please, don't let him die!" Cried the woman clinging to his son's limp hand. Gaius gently guided her out.
"Don't worry, we'll do everything we can, trust me. You can't stay here, but we shall send for you if there any change in his condition."
After he heard the door close behind the mother, Merlin turned to the old man again with the herbs in his hands.
"What's the matter with him?"
"I wish I knew." The physician sighed and started on the potion. "I've never seen anything like this, only on a battlefield. It looks like some sort of infection, but I have no idea what illness can cause such symptoms for I've found no open wounds." He pointed to the open book. "Would you search for any natural illness that can cause such necrosis?"
"But you can save him." Merlin said unconvinced as he started going through the pages.
Gaius looked at him knowingly.
"He's dying. We don't have much time".
"Do you think I should bathe in my clothes today?"
Merlin's head snapped up to look into the prince's eyes, then to his own hands only to realize he had started buttoning up his shirt which he had previously unbuttoned.
"Sorry, Sire."
"Where are you today, Merlin?" Arthur queried none too pleased and swatted the servant's hand away to undress himself.
Before Merlin could apologize, there was a knock on the door.
"Enter." The prince shouted as he stepped behind the screen.
A guard entered and with a small bow of his head he addressed the unseen royalty.
"Sire, the court physician asks if he could use your highness' servant for a while. He says he needs some help with the patients."
"You mean the boy?" Merlin chipped in.
"Yes, and the rest of them." He told them, and waited for the prince's response who stepped out from behind the screen surprised, unconcerned about his state of undress.
"What rest?"
Arthur had been soaking in the bath when there was a knock on his chamber's door once again, but this time the guard barged in without waiting for permission to enter.
"Your highness, your presence is required in the throne room immediately."
The prince sensed the urgency in the statement and got up to get dressed. He knew that his father wouldn't have sent for him in this manner without a weighty reason.
He jumped in his clothes hastily and followed the guard without delay.
When he entered the throne room he found Uther leaning heavily on the table in the company of four of his knights, talking animatedly.
The king looked at his son and worry wrinkled his brow.
"Arthur! We've received alarming reports from the lower town. A strange winged creature had been spotted on more than one occasion. I want you to investigate at once."
"A man was seen with the creature." Sir Leon interjected. "A sorcerer."
"It's official then. We are under attack." The king's fist came crashing down the table. That was the last thing he needed. If that mysterious rescuer figure wouldn't have been enough, now they had this creature and a spreading illness in the lower town.
"The lower town should be closed down until we can be sure it's safe."
"Yes, father." Arthur affirmed. "But what will happen with the people there if they can no longer bring their sick ones to Gaius?"
The glance Uther threw his way showed no compassion.
"We have priorities." And with that, the discussion was over.
The prince went out uneasily to gather his knights. His history with mysterious winged creatures wasn't one of utmost success. He prayed that this time the creature would prove to be mortal and defeatable.
When Merlin arrived to the attic, it was already packed with sick people. They more or less showed the same symptoms, some to a greater extent than the other.
The children and the older ones were affected more gravely, but there were also strong-looking young men and women with only dark patches on their skins. The latter group were for the most part conscious, which gave the physician a lot more work to ease their pain which appeared to be great.
When Gaius spotted his apprentice he quickly walked towards him.
"Did they tell you what happened to them?" The young man asked looking around.
"Yes." The old man nodded. "Their minds are clouded with pain, but they are almost mad with fear. They're all talking about magic, and of seeing a big, green, winged creature. According to their description, I think it's a dragon breed."
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