Arthur followed Gaius through the forest. It had been another two days. Arthur had begun to be desperate, when Gaius had finally arrived and asked him to follow. The night was falling. The further they went into the woods, it started to get darker.
"Gaius? We need some light, I didn't get any…"
"There. Can you see it?" Gaius asked and pointed forward. What Arthur saw was shining blue orb. "It will guide us at the destination."
The blue orb beat when they reached it and began to fly ahead of them. They followed it and soon Arthur began to feel that they were being monitored. Mist hovered over the ground like a thick mat. There was a whispers in the air.
"We are crossing the border." Gaius said.
"What border?" Arthur felt the cold ripple running through his back.
"We are now in the Old Land. This is holy place to the Old Religion. Only invited can pass here."
"Gaius, don't you could already tell what's going on?" Arthur asked. Gaius glanced at him.
"The only thing what I figured, was to ask the High Council to convene."
"What High Council? No, do you mean Old Religion's High Council? How you do that?"
"I have some connections to them, time before the purge. And I have helped them from time to time. So when I asked them to listen to you… No, I say it wrong." Gaius stopped and turned to face Arthur. "Listen carefully Arthur, this is going to be more like a trial. They want to ask some questions. I don't know who they are, how many there is going to be, or what they are going to ask. I can only say that if there is only one, they don't take you seriously. But if there is many, five is the highest, you may have some chances. The members of The High Council of Old Religion's Trial are carefully selected high priests and priestesses. So, they are very powerful people sire. Don't mess with them."
Arthur stared the old physician. "Will this save Merlin?"
Gaius shook his head. "I don't know. I actually don't know what is their goal when they agreed to meet you."
Arthur sighed. "Alright. Let's go. I'm not going to turn and run away now."
The blue orb started to move again and finally they reached the forest clearing. In the ground struck lanterns lit up the square.
"Oh dear." Gaius murmured and Arthur could see the reason. In the clearing was standing and sitting five characters. All of them were dressed in all-enveloping cape and hood. And in the woodline, Arthur could see more people watching and whispering. One of the Council who was wearing a green cape turned to face the watchers.
"Silence!"
The instruction made Arthur to leap. The green man turned again and stepped forward.
"Arthur Pendragon, the regent of Camelot. Step inside the circle of the truth to hear us out and you to make your request."