5/14
Merlin
Albion's End.
Wind whipped through the brittle trees of the once great and lush land. Cattle lay dead, the rivers and lakes, now murky and foul smelling, fish floating on the surface dead, starved of oxygen. The castles and Towns covered in Shade, lifeless, but for one place, one, once dead city now alive and bristling with the activity of the Shade converted populace. A city once feared and respected at the same time, a city of the old religion, had flourished while the land around it had withered and died. It had four masters, the newly emerged Death Guard who looked out upon the dead land from the Fortress at the city's centre. Looked out and basked in the devastation they had so wrought. Such was the nature of magic, and now twisted as he was, such was the nature of Merlin. Albion was a dead land, and he rejoiced, for soon the Shade would move further away, before encroaching onto neighbouring lands, then further still, until, finally, there would be nothing, nothing but the Shade, the willing servants of the Four original Death Guard, and here, Kalaros, the city at the centre of the Shade, here was where the true power would lay. The Shade would continue, touching the seas, spreading to the lands far away from them. And then eventually they would come here as well. But as wonderful as this achievement was, as well as the fact that even King Arthur was one of their willing slaves now, Merlin was not totally happy. The fact that he had brought Kilgharrah back from the dead, only to have the Dragon dismiss him as nothing, no, that soured things considerably.
Also the fact that at least four of his enemies were still at large, and, thus far he had been unable to locate them. Beside Merlin, Leon let out an almost contented sigh, as he looked out with his one good eye. The other eye having been blinded by Merlin's rage. Merlin abruptly turned, walking into the throne room, passing Gwen who was standing off to the side, before he sat down, looking up as Leon, Percival and Thomas walked back in.
"You're troubled" said Thomas at length, causing Merlin to look at him.
"No, annoyed" Merlin replied, his gaze thoughtful.
"About what?" asked the other man, walking over to a cage full of rats and other Vermin, proceeding to take one out, before crunching it's squealing furry body between his teeth.
"As of the moment I can see five problems" Merlin said. "None of which we can even find at the moment" he replied, as Thomas tossed him a grey rat. Merlin caught it and began chewing thoughtfully.
"Oh? And what are those?" replied Thomas, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand. Merlin nodded at sat back, licking his fingers.
"Gaius, Freya, Morgana, Gwaine and Kilgharrah" he said. Thomas slowly nodded.
"I see, well I'm sure they're of no consequence" Thomas assured him. "Just a few flashes in the pan as it were" he added, reassuringly. Merlin looked over at him and stood up abruptly.
"I don't want them to flash in the pan!" he roared. "Its my bloody pan!"
"Kilgharrah is of no threat, as long as we have Balinor, he is still ours" said Leon, drawing Merlin's attention to him.
"And the others?" he demanded. "Admittedly Gaius and Gwaine are of no import, but Morgana and Freya, no they could still be quite the nuisance should they put their mind to it"
"And the White Dragon" reminded Leon.
"They would never dare attack" said Percival.
"And why not?" asked Merlin.
"We do have their beloved king now" the big man replied. "one hint of an attack, one tiny move against us and he will be an ex monarch" Percival said. Merlin nodded then looked around.
"Speaking of the royal prat, where is he?"
"Oh, I gave him a task I'm sure you'd approve of, after all, didn't you clean up after him for years?" said Thomas with a grin. Merlin looked at him, then he did laugh, it was not a nice sound.
Below them in the sleeping chambers Arthur was on his hands and knees, scrubbing at the dust covered floor boards, sneezing occasionally. Behind him the door opened and Rory entered with a fresh bucket of water, kneeling down next to him, also scrubbing, aware that Elyan was watching them from the doorway. Finally the man moved on, and Arthur abruptly sat up, tossing the dirty sponge into the water.
"I don't know how much longer I can put with this" he muttered, glancing at Rory. The woman gave him a hard look and with a sigh he picked up the sponge, beginning to scrub again.
"Getting to Balinor won't be easy" Rory muttered to him, "He keeps the child very near to him, usually with Gwen taking care of him" she said. Arthur nodded at her.
"Then we need to find a way to distract them somehow" said Arthur.
"Easier said than done" replied Rory, looking over at him. "You're doing it wrong" she said, taking the sponge.
"We're not here to work Rory" replied Arthur. Rory rolled his eyes at him.
"Until we get a chance to escape with Balinor, all we can do is bide our time" she said.
A day and a half earlier….
"ARTHUR!" screamed Rory suddenly, Arthur looked over at her, then down at the ground where the shade had crept up under him.
"Go, now!" yelled Arthur as the shade crept past him, they moved, but too slow as Rory was caught as well.
"GO!" he screamed again as he fell to his knees, looking at the dragon. A moment later it, Gaius, Gwaine, Kyle and Morgana vanished. Slowly Arthur crawled to Rory who had also fell to her knees as the shade took them.
"I'm sorry" he said.
"Stop blaming yourself" she said. Arthur smiled at her and pulled her into an embrace as the Shade overtook them. The white Dragon reappearing above them a moment later, where it waited for nearly an hour until the Shade converted Arthur and Rory emerged. It swopped down, knocking them off their feet, before breathing a foul smelling mist over them. They choked on it, turning away, vomiting thick black mucus onto the ground, before both roared in pain.
"The pain will pass" said the Dragon quietly. Slowly Arthur and Rory looked at it.
"What happened? We should be…"
"Mindless converted to do Merlin's bidding? Yes" it agreed. "But realise this, you are not" it stated.
"Wait, so the Shade…?" said Rory confused.
"It took you, as it has all the others, but you are, for the moment immune to it, however enough remains in your body so you will still sense as Shade Converted to others" it said. "Now, you must go to them, to Merlin and the others, and you must above all else retrieve the son of Merlin" it said.
"Wait, that thing you did to us, can you not do it to the others who have been altered?" asked Arthur. The Dragon shook its head.
"Sadly no, I was only able to save you two because you have only literally just been converted, the breath of purging is useful, but beyond a certain time, if I were to use it on a shade converted it would more than likely kill them" it explained.
"then how do we save our friends?" asked Rory.
"When the shade over this land is lifted, so shall it be for your loved ones" the Dragon said, lifting higher. "As for your other friends, they are safe, far from here, for you still have allies Arthur Pendragon, allies you have never even met" it said. "Now go, for I feel Kilgharrah's rise is at hand" it said, flying away.
"Great" muttered Rory.
"What?" asked Arthur looking at her.
"It leaves us here, without even idea of how to go about this" she replied. Arthur grinned.
"S'easy, we walk up to the door, pretend to be willing shade converted, grab Balinor eventually and escape" he said. Rory looked at him and blinked.
"you know, as far as plans go, that really isn't one of your best ones" she said. Arthur smiled widely at her then,
"then we'll improvise" he said, leading the way. They had continued in silence for a few hours, until they had reached the fortress, in time to see Kilgharrah dismiss Merlin so utterly. Arthur wanted to laugh at his former friends misfortune, but held it in check, instead kneeling as Merlin had approached, hating the grin that had spread across his face on seeing them. And now they were here, punishment for the years of Merlin being Arthur's servant boy.
If only they knew thought Arthur.
The land of Karish, where the group had been unceremoniously transported was a wasteland. Corpses of Dark Dragons and people littered the vista before them.
"And this is so much better how?" demanded Morgana.
"No shade for a start" said Gaius, watching as people milled about the corpses, burning the dragons, reclaiming their dead.
"Karish" said Gwaine, looking around.
"And how would you know that?" sneered Morgana, looking at him.
"The Dark Dragons for a start, over the last year they have been at war, the humans and the Dragons" said Freya.
"So we go from one battlefield to another" muttered Kyle. Gaius began to move forwards.
"Where are you going?" asked Gwaine. Gaius turned to them.
"We'll we're certainly not going to get anything done standing here" he said. The others looked at each other, then with a weary sigh followed the old man, who stopped abruptly as several villagers moved in front of him.
"Excuse me" said Gaius making to go through them.
"you, all of you we saw, you have magic" one of the men said.
"No, not me I'm afraid" said Gaius with what he hoped with a placating smile.
"We saw you appear, if not you then who?" the man demanded, as Freya and the others walked up.
"Is there some problem?" she asked Gently.
"The knights, look, they wear the attire of Camelot" whispered one of the men to another.
"It is true, we are indeed from Camelot" said Freya. The whispers among the people became fervent.
"If you have no magic then how did you just appear?" demanded the leader of the men. Freya was about to answer then thought better of it, after all, to say a Dragon had sent them here, even if it wasn't a dark Dragon, would more than likely invite disaster.
"I have a small amount of magic, but nothing great" she said. The man looked at her.
"Why not walk?" he asked.
"Our kingdom is in great peril, and our task is of the upmost importance" said Kyle. The man looked at him.
"I see, well as much as we owe Camelot, as you can see, we did not fare too well in our war" the man said.
"Joseph!" called a woman running over. "What in the blazes ya up to now?" she demanded.
"Sorry, we were greeting these… people from Camelot" said the man.
"Camelot eh?, welcome welcome ye all" she said with a smile.
"Your welcome is most appreciated" said Freya with a slight bow.
"Oh please…" muttered Morgana, the smile on the woman's face wavering for just an instant.
"They say their land is in danger" said Joseph, looking at the woman.
"Indeed, it has been overrun by the a growth called the Shade-" said Gaius.
"The Shade? Mercy me" gasped the woman. "You must go, quickly to our queen" she said.
"Wait, you know of the Shade?" said Freya urgently.
"a little, but please, Our queen will be able to better help you" she said.
"Your help is most appreciated" said Kyle with a bow. The woman beamed then hit Joseph around the head.
"See, why can't you av' manners like that?" she stated.
"I hate to interrupt this… domestic, but where would we find your queen?" asked Gaius. The woman looked at him.
"Oh, about an hours travel southwest" she said, with a smile. Gaius bowed his thanks and the group began to move forwards, the woman watching them as they past.
It was, thanks to Gaius's slow going just over an hour before they reached the castle, which was a beauty in itself, even though several of the towers were blackened by fire damage. They stopped at the gates, looking up at it.
"Now, that is a castle" said Gwaine in admiration.
"we're here to work Gwaine, not be site seers" Gaius reminded his sharply. Gwaine nodded, looking crestfallen, but did not reply. Slowly they walked forwards, stopping when a burly guard approached.
"Halt in the name of the queen" he ordered. The group doing so. "What is the nature of your business?" he demanded.
"We require an audience with your queen" said Freya. "We have travelled far, from Camelot" she added.
"Camelot?" he asked, his manner relaxing. "Of course, please forgive me" he said. Gaius shook his head.
"We have heard of the war so recently fought here, no apologies are required" he said diplomatically. The Guard nodded, and turned away.
"If you would follow me" he said, leading the group forwards.
The interior of the castle was decked out in lavish colours, brightly lit, but they paid no attention to the glances they received as they past various rooms, before entering an ornately decorated throne room. At the end of it a woman sat on the throne, looking up as they approached, all of them bowing as they came to a stop, even Morgana. For which the others were grateful.
"Steven?" asked the queen standing. The man who had greeted them stepped forwards.
"My apologies my queen, these travellers wished an audience with you" he said. The queen nodded and sat down again.
"I am Queen Andrea of Karish, and you are?" she said, watching as Freya stood.
"We come from Camelot" said Freya stepping forwards to Queen Andrea, who looked at them as they bowed before her.
"Our allies in our time of need" she replied, her face becoming beautiful as she smiled and stood.
"And how do our allies fare?" she asked.
"My lady, we are all that remains" said Freya. Andrea's gaze became one of concern.
"You five?, how is this possible, when my diplomat returned he said everything was well" she said, slowly Gaius stood, wincing, as the others did the same, Gwaine helping the old man.
"We have come under siege my lady" he stated.
"What could bring your mighty kingdom to its knees?" asked Andrea.
"A warlock" said Morgana.
"He must indeed be powerful if you are all that remains" she said.
"He is indeed, but he not alone, for the land itself has been devoured, by a thing called the Shade" said Freya, aware of the gasps around them.
"I take it you have heard of the shade?" Gaius said.
"The shade?" asked Andrea. "Yes, we know of it" she said.
"It has taken everything" said Gaius. "Including those we love and care about"
"I see" she replied, then nodded to Steven. "Please see that they are treated as honoured guests" she said, and the guard bowed. "we will talk more later, but for now rest" she said. The group bowed to her.
"We thank you for your hospitality" said Gaius, turning as the guard led them out.
Thunder rumbled over the fortress, Merlin and the others paying it no heed as they looked in the scrying font. Over to the side, Gwen held Balinor, Arthur and Rory stood next to her silently, as did Elyan.
"Well?" asked Leon, looking at Merlin. Merlin looked up and smiled.
"So they take refuge in another kingdom" muttered Merlin, as he looked in the scrying font.
"it appears they have fled Albion, for they shelter with Queen Andrea of Karish"
"then we need not worry, there is little they can do from there" said Percival. Merlin nodded, but then looked up.
"But still" he said. "I believe it is time we allowed out new Dragonlord to have his first command" he added, looking at Balinor. Balinor looked at him.
"Call Kilgharrah, his first task.. kill them.. kill them all" he said. Gwen turned and moved out onto the balcony, Merlin and the others following, Arthur shooting a glance at Rory, who looked just as concerned.
"We have to stop this madness" he muttered.
"you come up with the plan, I'm there" she whispered back. Suddenly Thomas reappeared, looking at them, quizzically, slowly he walked forwards.
"Come on, Merlin wants you to bear witness to this" he said, turning away.
The group in Karish, stood as Andrea entered the room, she smiled and sat down, the others following suit.
"Dinner was pleasant?" she asked.
"Very much so, thank you" said Gaius. The woman smiled at him.
"good, now to your troubles, the Shade" she said, becoming all business. "Fifteen years ago, we too became victims to its evil influence. Ours was conjured by a sorceress, who had a grievance against the ruler at the time, it was not publically stated that she was responsible, you can of course imagine the repercussions it would have against any magic users" she said.
"Of course, if one can conjure the Shade, what might another be capable of" agreed Freya. The queen nodded.
"Indeed, but back to the topic at hand, please tell me fist when did this Warlock create the shade?" she asked.
"When he was… resurrected" said Freya softly. Andrea frowned.
"Necromancy?" she asked. Freya nodded.
"A year ago, we had our own battle with a woman called Morrigan, many people died, including my lover, Merlin, and three of the kings most trusted knights" she said.
"I see, and I take it, it was this Merlin who was the Warlock?" she said, not unkindly.
"It has not been easy, seeing him so changed when he was brought back, him and the others" said Gaius.
"I can imagine" Andrea said. "I take it that because they came back as they did, the resurrection went wrong somehow" she stated.
"Yes, but we don't know how or who was behind it" said Gaius. No need for Andrea to know that the scarred and bent over woman who sat next to him was the cause of all this. Andrea nodded again and sat back.
"There are but two ways to combat the shade, the magic of the innocent" said Andrea.
"Balinor" muttered Morgana
"Or kill the source of the corruption. Kill the four who began this, for they are linked" she said.
"Easier said than done, the Warlock now holds his son prisoner and the land is covered with shade, we have no way to reach the citadel they call home" said Gwaine.
"a terrifying predicament indeed" agreed Andrea. Then she smiled.
"But there is a way to safely cross the Shade" she said. The group looked at each other.
"how?" asked Kyle.
"Unicorns. The purest of magical creatures, they alone are immune to its effects" she said.
"Anhora, would he be able to help us?" asked Freya looking at Gaius.
"If he has not been taken, then yes, I'm sure he would" said Gaius. "But we'd need to find him first" he added. Then frowned as outside people began to scream. Andrea stood up and rushed to the window the others doing the same, watching as a Dragon flew over the castle.
"That is not a Dark Dragon" stated Andrea, as the group ran out of the hall and into the courtyard.
"Its him…." Muttered Gwaine as the Great Dragon flew over them. "Its Kilgharrah" he muttered.
"and this Kilgharrah is…?" asked Andrea.
"Merlin's pet" sneered Morgana. Slowly Andrea turned to her.
"Then we must move quickly" she said, even as Kilgharrah swooped overhead again, belching flames, before landing in the courtyard, in front of the group.
"The Dragonlord has decreed you die, and who am I to argue" Kilgharrah hissed in dark laughter.
"And so ends the pitiful resistance" said Merlin with a grin.
"Now!" Arthur suddenly yelled, causing the others in the room to spin around, Rory grabbing Balinor from a startled Gwen.
"Kill them!" roared Merlin, Thomas, Percival and Leon drawing their swords.
"I don't like these odds" muttered Rory.
"Go!" Arthur roared at her.
"But-!" she called back.
"Rory go, get him out of here!" he yelled at her. Rory glanced at him them turned and ran, even as behind her she heard the sound of metal on metal. Rory looked down at Balinor, aware that the Spectres were moving out from the shadows.
"Balinor, I don't know if you can understand but call Kilgharrah off" she whispered.
"Daddy mad" Balinor said.
"Daddy won't need to know" she said. "But please, call him off"
"Where?" Balinor said. Rory blinked as she dodged one of the Spectres.
"Where?" asked Rory.
"Where send Dagon?" he asked. Rory suddenly smiled.
"Tell him he has new target" she said. "Send him here" she added, a moment later there was a grunt from behind her, she glanced back, relieved to see Arthur there.
"Gaius would've got further!" he snapped, taking Balinor from her.
"Find them… KILL THEM BOTH!" Roared Merlin, as Leon and Percival dragged A badly wounded Thomas back into the room. Merlin glanced at him, then at Gwen and Elyan.
"Fine, we'll see how he deals with having to face you!" he snapped. Gwen and Elyan ran from the room, down the stairs, even as Merlin rushed onto the balcony, the others following, Thomas holding the wound in his side.
Kilgharrah reared back, then paused. Before it looked down at the group.
"Well, this should be interesting" he muttered as he took flight.
"What's happening?" demanded Morgana, confused.
"Called off, he's been called off!" cheered Gwaine.
"But how?" asked Kyle.
"Quickly we must see what is happening" said Andrea, running back into the castle. She led them
To a darkened room, with a scrying font in its centre. She waved her hand over it.
"You have magic?" asked Morgana, Andrea nodded at her.
"Of course I do, all rulers of Karish have had magic, now, let us see what is happening" she said. The font came to life showing Rory running down a corridor, and Arthur holding Balinor, even as Spectres massed behind them.
"But, they were taken by the Shade, how is this possible?" asked Morgana.
"does it matter?" asked Gaius, watching as Arthur and Rory ran from the fortress into the midst of very angry looking Shade converted people.
"KILL THEM BUT BRING THAT CHILD BACK!" Merlin screamed from above. The people began to advance on them, when from behind them Gwen and Elyan emerged, both brandishing weapons.
"It was nice try" said Arthur as he spun around on the spot, beside him Rory did the same.
"they're going to die" said Freya looking away.
"I think not" said Andrea with a smile. Freya turned back to see the people being thrown to the ground as the White Dragon flew over them, landing with a thud.
"I think I love you" said Arthur clambering onto him with Rory, a moment later the Dragon took flight, moving swiftly away, avoiding the fireballs that Merlin was sending out in rage, but it was no use, the Dragon was far too swift.
"After them!" screamed Merlin down to the crowd. "Find them, Kill them but get that child!" he roared. Below them the people turned and began to run from the Fortress, chasing the retreating Dragon.
"Woo hoo!" yelled Arthur as the Dragon soared up and away from the Fortress.
"We must take Balinor to the place where the Shade first took root, that is its heart, that is its weak point" said the Dragon.
"Which is where?" asked Arthur. The Dragon swooped low over the ground, towards what had once been the forest of Cheme.
"There" he said, heading towards a large mound of pulsating Shade.
"Is that alive?" asked Rory, looking at it.
"Not for much longer" said Arthur, as he jumped from the Dragon with Balinor.
"Balinor, you must use your power! Destroy it! Destroy the shade!" called the White Dragon. Balinor looked at him then stepped forwards, hands glowing.
"Balinor! Now!" yelled Arthur.
"Come on.. come on" urged Rory, still atop the Dragon. Balinor looked at them, then with a jump placed his glowing hands on the shade.
"NO MORE!" he screamed. The effect was instantaneous the mound of pulsating Shade glowing, withering.
"Yes!" grinned Morgana, punching the air in triumph, causing the others to look at her. "oh I can't be happy then?" she asked.
The glow faded from Balinor's hands, now on the Shade, spreading out beneath their feet, faster than the eye could follow, even as above them, above the white Dragon Kilgharrah roared overhead.
"wait, what that Kilgharrah?" asked Arthur confused. The white Dragon also confused landed as Arthur retrieved the unconscious Balinor.
"Is he alright?" asked Rory concerned as Arthur climbed back on. Balinor opened his eyes and smiled at her.
"headache" he giggled, then snuggled down into Arthur's arms, even as the White Dragon took flight, following Kilgharrah, flying back towards the Fortress. Below them, the glow continued, people falling to their knees as the shade was expelled from their bodies.
Merlin, Thomas, Leon and Percival screamed, clutching their heads as the land began to light up before them. Falling to their knees in pain as the Shade began to crumble to dust.
"no… no…. NO!" Screamed Merlin, as he and the others slowly got to their feet looking out over the glowing land. Percival looked out, then squinted.
"What is that?" asked Percival pointing. Merlin and the others followed his gaze as Kilgharrah swooped into view. Thomas tensed and looked at Merlin.
"It would appear your flash in the pan has become something of a fire" stated Thomas as Kilgharrah swooped down, belching fire at the Fortress, before it landed and then reared back, looking up at Merlin and the others.
"Oh shit" muttered Merlin as the Dragon tore into the side of the Fortress, sending brick and masonry tumbling away.
"Stop!" yelled Merlin, hurling fireballs out at it. The Fortress shaking ever so slightly. Kilgharrah laughed as it looked at him.
"The Dragonlord commands, and I obey" he hissed breaking into evil laughter.
"Bugger this" said Leon running from the balcony, Percival on his tail. Merlin stood there, still hurling fireballs out, when Thomas gripped his arm, adding his own strength. The fireballs became slightly more powerful, but still had little effect as the Dragon tore into the foundations of the Fortress. The White Dragon landed on the edge of the knoll that led to the city of Kalaros. He and Rory dismounted, even as the freed people ran forwards, watching. Gwen running to Arthur embracing him. They turned then, back to the city, Arthur wincing as an explosion of fire reared up from the base of the fortress, seeing tiny pinpricks of fire shooting down, Merlin fighting back.
On the Balcony the walls were beginning to crack as Percival and Leon ran back out.
"You got far" muttered Thomas with disdain.
"there's no way down, the entire corridor has caved in" Leon spat. Suddenly Kilgharrah let out an almighty Roar and slammed his massive claws against the base of the fortress. Cracks appeared and a huge chunk of support tore away, the Dragon took flight laughing as the remained of the Fortress began to tilt. Merlin and the others grabbing on. Merlin did not scream or cry out, but glared at Kilgharrah.
"What are we going to do!" yelled Leon, grabbing onto Percival as the two men went sliding.
"We die" said Merlin, still Glaring at the retreating form of the dragon, before with a thunderous roar the top of the fortress collapsed forwards, decimating the balcony, a moment later the rest of the fortress came tumbling to the ground in an explosion of magical energy.
Around Arthur, Rory, Elyan and Gwen, the crowd cheered as the Fortress tumbled before exploding releasing the magical energies that had kept it standing for so long. Gwen took Arthurs hand and he looked at her, tears in his eyes.
"Oh Arthur" she whispered, beside them, Elyan put a hand around a crying Rory.
"it is done" said Andrea, looking away from the font, smiling sadly at Gaius and Freya, who were both crying.
"So its over?" asked Morgana, Andrea looked at her.
"for now" she said.
"but I fear there is much left to do" she added. "come, allow them time in their grief" she said indicating Gaius and Freya, before leading the others out.
The knoll was awash in people, all looking as the fortress began to burn, Kilgharrah swopping away overhead into the darkness.
"I hope it was quick" Arthur said. Gwen, holding his hand tightly, even as he wiped tears from his cheeks. Slowly he turned to Rory, and then put his arm around her.
"Did we did good right?" asked Rory sound not at all convinced.
"Yes, we did good" Arthur said, as Gwen put her arm around him, which was when Balinor woke up, he looked out at the ruins of the city. Arthur looked at him, holding him fondly.
"Bad Mens" he said. Arthur frowned, and looked back.
"Sire!" shouted Elyan pointing as the rubble exploded upwards, four pinpricks of glowing light emerging.
"impossible" Arthur said breathlessly.
"This is Far from over Arthur. The Death Guard will rise again" Merlin's voice boomed out over the land, before the glows faded into the night. Arthur shook his head sadly.
"And I'll be waiting" he muttered.
"Arthur, where are Freya and the others?" asked Gwen, looking around.
"Oh, they'll be here" replied the White Dragon taking flight. Arthur looked at it.
"Thank you" he said. The Dragon nodded at him, before it swopped off into the night.
"What of the Dragon?" asked Elyan. Arthur looked at him then at Balinor.
"We'll deal with that in time" he said. Then he looked back at the remains of Kalaros.
"But we have to Deal with Merlin first" he said, as he turned away.
The small hut was cold, almost freezing, situated as it was in the ice and snow covered mountains. Merlin, Leon, Thomas and Percival shivered, but hate had a way of keeping one warm. They were battered, bloody and bruised, but they were not defeated. They would stay here awhile, heal, become strong again, and then Arthur would pay. Oh how he would pay…
To be continued….